ATTENTION: Assignment editors, health, research and science reporters
For immediate release -
2006-57
OTTAWA (November 14, 2006) - On November 15, the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is hosting a reproductive health research symposium in Ottawa in conjunction with the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society's 52nd Annual Meeting in Ottawa.
The symposium will feature presentations on research that focuses on gametes - the sperm and egg that combine as the first step leading to pregnancy and birth. The research includes:
Studies on how to improve the health of eggs, or oocytes, used in infertility treatments. Currently, only one in 10 eggs retrieved from women undergoing infertility treatments is healthy enough to produce a pregnancy and birth.
Studies on how to reduce the number of embryos transplanted during infertility treatment. Current treatments are inefficient, so multiple embryos are implanted, leading to multiple births with many associated problems.
Studies to learn more about the reproductive outcomes of cancer treatment. Currently, many young men are surviving testicular cancer and lymphomas - but male fertility after cancer treatment can be impaired, as a result of chemotherapy. This research will lead to improved counseling for men of reproductive age who are diagnosed with cancer and require chemotherapy.
All of these research projects are being undertaken as part of an initiative by CIHR-IHDCYH called Healthy Gametes and Great Embryos.
"Research is essential to understand the several determinants of healthy reproductive health," said Dr. Michael Kramer, based in Montreal and Scientific Director of CIHR-IHDCYH. "The advances in this field are contributing to increasing our knowledge and finding innovative ways to improve our approaches. Our symposium will provide an insight of some of the excellent research conducted in Canada on a topic of interest to everyone."
Dr. Michael Kramer, is available to comment in English and in French on the reproductive health research currently conducted in Canada.
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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca
CIHR- IHDCYH supports research that ensures the best start in life for all Canadians and the achievement of their potential for optimal growth and development.
For an interview with Dr. Kramer, please contact:Marie-France PoirierCIHR Media Specialist Office: (613) 941-4563 Mobile: (613) 447-4794 E-mail: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
