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Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

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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...
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In Vitro Fertilization01:24

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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.
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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...
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Genome editing technologies allow scientists to modify an organism’s DNA via the addition, removal, or rearrangement of genetic material at specific genomic locations. These types of techniques could potentially be used to cure genetic disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One popular and widely used DNA-editing research tool that could lead to safe and effective cures for genetic disorders is the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced...
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Meiosis vs. Mitosis02:57

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Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
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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...
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Updated: May 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring
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Birth defects and assisted reproductive technologies.

Joe Leigh Simpson1

  • 1March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, USA.

Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
|February 25, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are linked to a slight increase in birth defects. However, this risk appears primarily due to underlying infertility, not the procedures themselves.

Keywords:
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART)Birth defectsHypospadiasImprintingIn-vitro fertilization (IVF)Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), are increasingly utilized globally, accounting for significant percentages of births in developed nations.
  • Early studies on ART and birth defects yielded reassuring results, but later research indicated a potential increase in adverse outcomes.
  • A meta-analysis confirmed an elevated odds ratio for birth defects associated with ART, necessitating further investigation into the causes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between ART procedures and the incidence of birth defects.
  • To differentiate the risk attributable to ART protocols versus the underlying causes of infertility.
  • To assess specific risks associated with different ART methods like ICSI and ART twins.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of existing studies on ART and birth defect frequencies.
  • Comparison of birth defect rates in infants conceived via ART versus those conceived naturally by subfertile couples.
  • Analysis of risks associated with specific ART techniques, cryopreservation, and multiple ART births.

Main Results:

  • ART is associated with a 30% increase in birth defects, while subfertile couples not using ART show a 20% increase.
  • The increased risk appears largely attributable to the biological factors causing infertility rather than the ART procedures themselves.
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/IVF shows similar overall risk to traditional IVF, with noted increases in sex chromosome abnormalities and hypospadias for ICSI.
  • No increased risk was observed for ART twins compared to non-ART twins, nor for cryopreserved embryos.

Conclusions:

  • The observed increase in birth defects is more likely linked to the infertility necessitating ART than the ART procedures per se.
  • ART, including IVF and ICSI, does not appear to significantly elevate risks beyond those associated with the underlying infertility.
  • Couples continue to pursue ART despite the observed risks, prioritizing the chance to have biological children.