Hey friends! Have you ever thought about how incredible assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are? They’ve helped bring about 8 million babies into the world—about 1.5% of the population in the Western world! While it’s amazing that so many healthy children have been born thanks to these methods, there’s still a lingering question: what are the long-term risks associated with ART?
You see, when embryos develop in the womb, any stress they experience can lead to health issues later in life, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This idea is known as the Barker hypothesis, which suggests that the way an embryo grows can be influenced by the conditions it faces before implantation. So, while embryos adapt to their environments, they might set themselves up for future health problems.
To dive deeper into this, we’ve created a mouse model of IVF. This model allows us to explore how stress during the early stages of development impacts growth and health throughout life. Plus, our Center for Reproductive Health is also running a long-term study, the Development Epidemiological Study of Children born through Reproductive Technology (DESCRT), which is funded by the National Institutes of Health. This study helps us keep track of children’s health over time.
If you’re curious about conception and want to learn more about how to get pregnant, check out this blog post. And if you’re considering home insemination, BabyMaker has some great insights on artificial insemination kits. For more information on pregnancy and related topics, the CDC is an excellent resource to explore!
In summary, our mouse model of IVF is crucial for understanding the long-term effects of embryo stress during development. As we discover more, we can better support the health of children conceived through these innovative technologies.