It is believed that environmental factors may create toxic environments which can affect reproduction. The possible outcomes can be bad functioning of gonads (ovaries and testicles), genital malformations, endometriosis, formation of fibroids in the uterus, premature...

Technologies advance rapidly – all of us can observe that daily. These advances do not escape the assisted reproduction field either. One of the techniques which evolved the most in the past few years is the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). It consists of the...

One of the possible treatments in assisted reproduction centres is egg donation or, scientifically, oocyte donation. In this treatment, apart from the receptor (a woman who receives the embryo transfer), a second woman comes into play – a donor who will provide...

Diet is one of the key factors in embryo and foetus development. A deficient diet produces adverse effects both in natural and assisted reproduction. Although there are studies in animal research, the results in human populations are scarce and sometimes...

The embryo transfer is the last step in In vitro fertilisation, be it IVF or IVF with egg donation. The embryo is introduced into the uterine cavity where, if all goes well, it will implant and continue its development. Several considerations exist regarding the...

The number of couples facing difficulties having children is increasing. Approximately 15 per cent of couples of reproductive age in Spain are affected by infertility. A significant factor in this increase is low-quality sperm. Currently, a sperm test determines sperm...

When an assisted reproduction treatment is finished (IVF-ICSI, IVF with egg donation), the embryos which are not transferred fresh must be cryopreserved. Frozen or vitrified? Is it the same? What is the difference between both techniques? Freezing and vitrification...

Numerous experimental studies reveal that tobacco is responsible for alterations at the reproductive level, but this fact oftentimes does not translate in the same way in clinical practice. Most of the experimental studies test only one substance, especially nicotine,...

The absence of spermatozoids in the ejaculate is denominated as azoospermia and it has several causes. It can originate from an obstruction in testicular tubes which blocks the passage of spermatozoids into the ejaculate. In this case, we are speaking about...

The team of nurses has a fundamental role in assisted reproduction treatments. They are in constant contact with the patients and are in charge of a communication bridge between the patient and the rest of the multidisciplinary team. Patients tend to have many...

Artificial insemination (AI) AI is the simplest treatment in the field of assisted reproduction. We can distinguish between insemination with a partner’s sperm or with a donor’s sperm. In this technique, the sperm is prepared in the laboratory and inserted directly...

Cannabis is a substance extracted from the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa o Cannabis Indica), which affects the central neural system. From the chemical point of view, the active ingredient is 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It appears in three forms for consumption: •...