Male factors can contribute to infertility in couples even when standard semen parameters are normal. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of spermatozoal RNAs can provide a more comprehensive assessment of paternal contribution to fertility issues and may help guide choice of reproductive treatment, according to a study published July 8 in Science Translational Medicine. Development is underway for a prognostic assay that can predict birth outcome and the likelihood of success associated with different fertility treatments based upon the presence of certain RNA elements in sperm. “Upon validation, this discovery may help to identify those couples who may benefit from assisted reproductive technologies [ARTs] and those couples who may be successful with minimal intervention,” said senior author Stephen Krawetz Ph.D., from Wayne State University (Detroit), in a statement. “It is our goal to use this technology to reduce both the time to live birth of a healthy child and the cost when couples seek infertility treatment, so as to reduce the stress on the couple. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine infertility is a common problem, affecting at least 10 percent of all couples trying to conceive. More than one factor is responsible for infertility in more than 25 percent […]