Did you know that RSCNJ has its own YouTube channel?
You’ll find videos of patient stories, meet our providers, Fertility Talk information videos and more.
We hope you will take a look.
Check out our YouTube channel!
Treatment brings a baby boy for happy patient
Vanessa, our patient, couldn’t be happier.
“Love Dr. Martinez and the staff. He is very thorough and discusses your options on types of fertility treatment. He does not push you to make decisions you are not ready to make. After 4 months of fertility treatment, we were pregnant and blessed with a healthy baby boy!”
Congratulations to Vanessa and thanks to her for joining others in posting reviews of their care at RSCNJ.
Time-restricted fasting could cause fertility problems
A new study shows that time-restricted fasting affects reproduction differently in male and female zebrafish. Importantly, some of the negative effects on eggs and sperm quality can be seen after the fish returned to their normal levels of food consumption.
The researchers say that while the study was conducted in fish, their findings highlight the importance of considering not just the effect of fasting on weight and health, but also on fertility.
Time-restricted fasting is an eating pattern where people limit their food consumption to certain hours of the day. It’s a popular health and fitness trend and people are doing it to lose weight and improve their health. “But the way organisms respond to food shortages can affect the quality of eggs and sperm, and such effects could potentially continue after the end of the fasting period,” said Prof. Alexei Maklakov, from the University of East Anglia, UK.
The research measured how male and female zebrafish allocate resources to body maintenance versus production and maintenance of sperm and eggs, and the quality of the resulting offspring. “What we found is that time-restricted fasting affects reproduction differently in males and females. Once the fish returned to their normal feeding schedule, females increased the number of offspring they produced at the cost of egg quality resulting in reduced quality of offspring. The quality of male sperm also decreased,” said Dr. Edward Ivimey-Cook. “These findings underscore the importance of considering not just the effect of fasting on body maintenance but also on the production of eggs and sperm. Importantly, some of the negative effects on eggs and sperm quality can be seen after the animals returned to their normal levels of food consumption following time-restricted fasting.”
Scientists discover ‘extra’ chromosome linked to infertility
Most chromosomes have been around for millions of years. Now, researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, in Kansas City, MO, have revealed the dynamics of a new, very young chromosome in fruit flies that is similar to chromosomes that arise in humans and is associated with treatment-resistant cancer and infertility. The findings may one day lead to developing more targeted therapies for treating these conditions.
A new study published in Current Biology reveals how this small chromosome that arose less than 20 years ago has persisted in a single, lab-reared strain of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and is correlated with supernumerary (extra) chromosomes in humans.
Supernumerary chromosomes in humans are found in cancer cells and frequently interfere with drugs designed to target tumors, making these types of cancers, like osteosarcoma, difficult to treat. In addition, the presence of supernumerary chromosomes in men can disrupt normal chromosome segregation during sperm production, which can cause infertility.
Being able to understand how supernumerary chromosomes arise and what their structures are can potentially illuminate their vulnerabilities and enable the development of potential therapeutic targets. The researchers said.
‘5 star’ review for RSCNJ
Our patient Teresa says,
“Dr. Ziegler and his staff are wonderful. Dr. Ziegler is compassionate and has a great sense of humor. I have not started IVF yet, but I have been working with the clinic since December. I must say, I am very pleased thus far. I would highly recommend and rate them a 5 star so far.”
Thanks to Teresa, and to everyone who posts reviews of our care, which you can read at our web site.
Antidepressants may help slow reproductive aging, study finds
In a new study, Northwestern University researchers exposed roundworms (a well-established model organism in biological research) to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs used for treating depression and anxiety. Surprisingly, this treatment improved the quality of aging females’ egg cells.
Not only did exposure to SSRIs decrease embryonic death by more than twofold, it also decreased chromosomal abnormalities in surviving offspring by more than twofold. Under the microscope, egg cells also looked younger and healthier, appearing round and plump rather than tiny and misshapen, which is common with aging.
Astounded by the results, the researchers replicated the experiment in fruit flies — another common model organism — and the SSRIs demonstrated the same effect.
Although much more work is needed, the researchers say these findings provide new opportunities to explore pharmacological interventions that might combat infertility issues in humans by improving egg quality and by delaying the onset of reproductive aging.
The study was published in the journal Developmental Biology.
Diet high in fruit and vegetables linked to lower miscarriage risk
A preconception and early-pregnancy diet that contains lots of fruit, vegetables, seafood, dairy, eggs and grain may be associated with reducing risk of miscarriage, a new review of research suggests.
Researchers at in England analyzed 20 studies which explored women and birthing people’s eating habits in the months before and shortly after conceiving a baby to see whether these studies showed evidence of association with a lower or higher chance of miscarriage. Writing in the journal Fertility and Sterility the researchers conclude that there is evidence to suggest a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, seafood, dairy products, eggs and grain reduces miscarriage risk.
The research review found that, when compared to low consumption, high intake of fruit may be associated with a 61% reduction in miscarriage risk. High vegetable intake may be associated with a 41% reduction in miscarriage risk. For dairy products it is a 37% reduction, 33% for grains, 19% for seafood and eggs.
A diet high in processed food was shown to be associated with doubling of miscarriage risk.
A Patient’s Story: Taylor and Michael
At Reproductive Science Center of New Jersey (RSCNJ), we seek to meet the special needs of each couple experiencing fertility problems. We make our patients feel like guests in our home, and the entire RSC staff takes part in their emotional journey. We will go to any extent to answer your questions, allay all fears, share with you the joys and disappointments of the infertility process and help identify the best treatment to help you get pregnant and have a baby.
We pride ourselves in offering a unique fertility experience, one that our patients appreciate and trust. For a first-hand description, go to our YouTube channel and hear what our patients Taylor and Michael think about the care they received at RSCNJ.
Meet RSCNJ PA Kelly Curtis
Physician assistant Kelly Curtis joined the RSCNJ practice in 2021 and has added so much to the care and service we deliver to our patients.
“I’ve always been drawn to women’s health and that’s one of the things I loved about coming here,” says the Ohio native. “There’s nothing more rewarding than helping women start families.”
Get to know a little more about Kelly at our YouTube channel.
A Patient’s Story: Jessica and Danielle
At Reproductive Science Center of New Jersey (RSCNJ), we go beyond helping infertile couples. We also proudly offer LGBTQIA+ family building services. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual individuals and couples who dream of having a family can often do so with our assisted reproductive technologies.
Want to know more? Go to our YouTube channel and hear what our patients Jessica and Danielle have to say about their care at RSCNJ.
