Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
06:11
Monitoring Blood Glucose in Mouse Offspring After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Published on: May 17, 2024
Congenital anomalies after assisted reproductive technology
Anja Pinborg1, Anna-Karina Aaris Henningsen, Sara Sofie Malchau
1Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. apinborg@rh.regionh.dk
Fertility and Sterility
|January 8, 2013
Summary
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) births are increasing globally. ART children face higher congenital anomaly risks, necessitating research into causes and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pediatric Health
- Genetics and Genomics
Background:
- Over 5 million children worldwide born via assisted reproductive technology (ART).
- ART infants constitute over 1% of birth cohorts in developed nations.
- ART children exhibit an elevated risk of congenital malformations, even accounting for factors like maternal age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the association between ART and congenital anomalies.
- To explore links between subfertility, non-ART fertility treatments, and congenital anomalies.
- To examine different ART methods (e.g., intracytoplasmic sperm injection, blastocyst culture, cryotechniques) and their relation to anomalies.
- To discuss temporal trends in ART and congenital anomaly rates.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review and synthesis of published studies.
- Analysis of data concerning various fertility treatments and ART procedures.
- Examination of epidemiological trends over time.
Main Results:
- ART is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations.
- Specific ART techniques may influence the risk profile.
- Subfertility and other fertility treatments also show associations with congenital anomalies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the causes of increased congenital anomaly risk in ART children is critical for developing preventative measures.
- Further research is needed to refine ART protocols and mitigate risks.
- The growing proportion of ART births underscores the importance of addressing these risks.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
01:21Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis. Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
01:29Nondisjunction
During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.
01:23Infertility in Males
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...