Size Does Matter in Male Infertility

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XRobyn Nazar E-mail:
robynnazar@gmail.com
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Posts by the author (47) Posted by RobynNazarRN on April 11, 2011 at 10:40 am

A shortened angogentical distance (AGD) is associated with a 7 fold increased risk for male infertility, according to a study released by the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

AGD is the distance measured between the anus and the scrotum in men. The average length of the AGD in is approximately 2 inches (52mm). In this study, conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, men who measure less than this are 7 times more likely to experience difficulty conceiving a child. The researchers believe that the AGD distance is linked to sperm count and volume. Therefore a short distance could mean low sperm counts, one of the most common causes of male infertility.

Researchers on the study encourage men to take the time to measure themselves. “It’s non-invasive and anybody can do it, and it’s not sensitive to the kinds of things that sperm count is sensitive to, like stress or whether you have a cold or whether it’s hot out,” said study co-author Shanna Swan of the University of Rochester Medical Center. “If somebody’s got a short AGD, particularly if they have problems conceiving, I would say get to the infertility doctor, because the chances are good that something is wrong.”

This is not the first study to look at AGD in men as it relates to fertility. Studies in 2005 and 2008 found that women who were exposed to certain chemicals, called phthalates, during pregnancy had a higher risk of giving birth to a son with a short AGD. Phthalates are fond in fragrances, personal care products, plastics and points.

Although this study falls short of drawing the cause and effect relationship between AGD and infertility, it may help draw more attention to AGD and male infertility. “[The results of the study] suggest that whatever is altering AGD is also altering sperm count.”

FDA Makes Unusual Move to Preserve Miscarriage Prevention Drug Access

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XRobyn Nazar E-mail:
robynnazar@gmail.com
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Posts by the author (47) Posted by RobynNazarRN on March 31, 2011 at 2:41 pm

The FDA has announced that it will not prevent compound pharmacies from making the miscarriage prevention drug Makena (previously known as 17p) despite K-V Pharmaceutical Co. exclusive rights to the drug. This unusual FDA move is intended to ensure access to the medication in spite of Makena’s price of $1,5000 per injection.

(view last weeks blog about the skyrocketing price of Makena)

Price Jumps from $20 to $1,500

Makena is a progesterone injection which is prescribed to women during their 16-36 week of pregnancy in order to prevent miscarriage and preterm labor, a common occurrence during pregnancy in older women. This drug has been available for many years by prescription in compound pharmacies for approximately $20 per dose.

However, in February K-V earned the 7 year exclusive rights to the drug and then announced that they new price per injection will be $1,500. This drastic price increase raised the cost of a total course of therapy from $400 to $30,000.

Concern over the cost preventing patient access to this effective miscarriage prevention drug prompted outcry in the obstetrical and gynecological community. Makena responded by promising patient-assistance to those who are unable to afford the drug. However, they also took the initiative to send letters to pharmacies threatening that the FDA would take action against them if they made their own compound versions of the drug.

FDA Takes  a Stand

In reply, the FDA released a statement yesterday saying, “In order to support access to this important drug, at this time and under this unique situation, FDA does not intend to take enforcement action against pharmacies that compound [the Makena formula] based on a valid prescription for an individually identified patient unless the compounded products are unsafe, of substandard quality, or are not being compounded in accordance with appropriate standards for compounding sterile products.”

Although the FDA has the authority to, and typically does, enforce the 7 year exclusive right’s rule in drug manufactures – it is not required to.

Antioxidants Could Decrease Female Fertility

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XRobyn Nazar E-mail:
robynnazar@gmail.com
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Posts by the author (47) Posted by RobynNazarRN on March 29, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Antioxidants are good for our health, right?

New research suggests that this belief may not be as ubiquitous as previously thought. A study conducted by researchers in Israel found that high levels of antioxidants actually decrease egg quantity in mice.

Previous studies have found that stress increases the production of oxidative molicules in our body, which lead to inflammation and cell damage. This inflammation and cell damage is exactly what some believe can lead to decreased fertility in women.

One of the best ways to combat oxidative stress is by consuming antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin E. These antioxidants seek out and destroy the oxidative molecules which harm our body.

In fact, in men it has been found that this action actually improves sperm quality and decreases the risk for male infertility. However, in the present study Professor Navel Dekel discovered that the mice who received antioxidants actually produced less eggs from their ovaries, thus decreasing fertility.

“On the one hand, these findings could prove useful to women who are having trouble getting pregnant,” said Dekel. “On the other, further studies might show that certain antioxidants might be effective means of birth control that could be safer than today’s hormone-based [pregnancy] prevention.”

Because this relationship was only found in one study in mice, it’s not a cause for alarm or for you to halt all intake of antioxidant-rich food, such as berries. However, it does raise an interesting point, as many women do tend to increase their intake of antioxidants as a way of becoming more healthy while trying to conceive. In fact, when you “google” antioxidants + fertility you are likely to come up with a bunch of websites which promote increasing your intake in order to improve fertility chances.

All in all, much more research is definitely called for in this area. In the meantime, my advice to you would be to not overdo it. The best diet is a balanced one. It is recommended that women and men consume 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day along with an adequate amount of protein, dairy and whole grains.