Potential Zika vaccine prevents pregnancy transmission and testicular damage

Zika infection typically results in mild or symptom-free infections in healthy individuals, infected pregnant women without symptoms may still give birth to a baby with birth defects like microcephaly.

Researchers has shown that a potential Zika vaccine can protect fetuses against infection and  protect males against testicular infection and injury. It also prevents a lowered sperm count after one vaccination.

Infected men without any signs of illness may still incur testicular injury and lowered sperm count. The Zika virus could infect the male reproductive system for several months, posing risk for sexual transmission.

Taking a single-dose vaccine could prevent Zika infection in non-human primates, prevent mother-to-fetus transmission, and stop male testis infection in mice. The vaccine provides a protective immune response, this vaccine exhibited an excellent safety profile in mouse and non-human primate models.
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How to prepare your body for IVF

For a woman to get pregnant, her reproductive organs like ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes need to be in good condition and function properly. Conditions that affect these organs may render a woman infertile. Looking at
polycystic ovary syndrome - a condition which causes irregular or no menstruation.

 Another problem is functional hypothalamic amenorrhea - a condition caused by low body weight or excessive exercise. Premature ovarian insufficiency - a condition which causes a woman's ovaries to cease to function before age 40.

Infertility in men can be determined through a semen analysis, which studies a man's sperm count, the motility and shape of sperm. If a man's testicular or ejaculatory functions are disrupted, this may cause infertility. These disruptions can be caused by
varicoceles - a condition which causes the veins on a man's testicles to overheat.

During IVF treatments, woman’s eggs are extracted and fertilized outside of her body. The resulting embryos are then implanted in her uterus. One IVF cycle lasts about two weeks, receiving IVF treatments increases a woman's chances of conceiving, it does not always result in pregnancy.

Having more than one round of IVF can increase the chance of becoming pregnant, women can prepare their body for pregnancy by getting acupuncture two to three times a week before IVF treatments.

Acupuncture leads to better blood flow, which will result in higher quality eggs. Engaging in exercise can also ease women's stress levels, which will help the process to work better. Avoid any stressful activities and reduce work load, eat balanced diet regularly especially fruits and vegetables, avoid fish. Take folic acid and vitamin D in moderation.
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Links between household chemicals and birth defects

Common household chemicals are air freshener, deodorant, disinfectant, laundry detergent and fabric softener.

Birth defects occur when both parents were exposed, as well as when one parent was exposed.

Exposure to these common household chemicals can affect the embryonic development and cause permanent deformation to the fetus.

A common ingredient of household products, known as quaternary ammonium compounds or 'quats', is responsible for the harmful effects.

It may affect sperm count, ovulation and cause miscarriage in some cases. Couple planning to have children should use these chemicals with caution.

Pregnant women must be very careful while using these chemicals or minimize exposure to avoid having children with neural tube defects.
 
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Early to bed is equivalent to healthy sperm

Men who go to bed before midnight have a better chance of conceiving a child because they have healthier sperm.

Those going to bed before 8pm and 10pm had the best sperm motility, meaning the sperm are better swimmers and have a greater chance of fertilising an egg.

Researchers monitored sleeping patterns in 981 men instructed to go to bed between 8pm and 10pm., between 10pm and midnight, or after midnight.

Scientists took regular semen samples to check sperm count, shape and motility. The results showed men who
went to bed after midnight had lower sperm counts and their sperm died much sooner than in those that go to bed early.

Sleeping for six hours or less – made this even worse, as did lying in bed for more than nine hours.

Late bedtimes and inadequate rest are harmful because they increase levels of antisperm antibody, a type of protein produced by the immune system which can destroy healthy sperm.