Fertility Drugs Might Not Help Women Lacking Estrogen Gene, Study Says

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 24 Jul 2005 - 7:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Fertility drugs might not increase a woman's chance of conception if she lacks the gene known as estrogen receptor beta, according to a study published in the August issue of the journal... Endocrinology, Reuters reports. John Couse of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and colleagues genetically engineered female mice without the estrogen receptor protein and then compared their fertility to that of other female mice. The researchers found those that were genetically altered were more likely to be infertile or have fewer offspring than the other mice. In addition, the mice without estrogen receptor beta failed to produce additional eggs after receiving fertility drugs (Reuters, 7/20). If researchers determine that the findings are applicable to women as well, a blood test could be developed to detect the presence or absence of the gene, allowing doctors to diagnose infertility more effectively and narrow down possible treatments, according to an NIH release. "If we can help couples understand the reasons for their infertility, doctors can further define their treatment options, help them to minimize the expense and risk of taking drugs that may be less effective for them, and increase their chances of having a safe and healthy child," NIEHS Director David Schwartz said (NIH release, 7/20).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

• Additional
• References
• Citations