Reproductive BioMedicine Online Publishes Study on Assisted Reproduction for Same-Sex Male Couples and Single Men
Amsterdam, July 3, 2013 /3BL Media/ - Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the publication of a recent retrospective study in Reproductive BioMedicine Online to better understand treatment considerations and outcomes for same-sex male couples and single men when using assisted reproduction treatment.
The number of same-sex male couples and single men using assisted reproduction assistance to have a family has been increasing over time (since 2003 a 21-fold increase has been reported). However, there is limited published data on using assisted reproduction treatment for this community.
In this study a total of 37 same-sex male couples and eight single men (seven homosexual and one heterosexual) who attended the CReATe Fertility Centre for assisted reproduction services were studied; the mean age was 46 years (24–58). Twenty-eight couples (76%) chose to use spermatozoa from both partners to fertilize their donated oocytes. Most men (32 same-sex male couples and seven single men; 87%) obtained oocytes from an anonymous donor, whereas five couples and one single man (13%) had a known donor. Anonymous donors who were open to be contacted by the child after the age of 18 were selected by 67% of patients. Of all 25 deliveries, eight (32%) were sets of twins.
Most same-sex male couples chose to use spermatozoa from both partners to inseminate the eggs and transferred one embryo from each to the surrogate. As a result, all twins from this group were half genetic siblings. High success can be attained in this population particularly for those men who are persistent in trying to achieve a pregnancy through subsequent frozen and fresh embryo cycles. The majority of the men who came to the CReATe Fertility Centre were successful at realizing their dreams of fatherhood.
Professor Susan Golombok, Director of the Centre for Family Research at University of Cambridge, UK said, “This is the first study to systematically examine the way in which assisted reproduction is used by male same-sex couples and single men. It provides fascinating insights into the decision-making and outcomes of these conceptions including the desire for identifiable donors and for a genetic connection to the child. In contrast to gay couples and single men who create families through adoption, the findings of this study suggest that men who choose surrogacy and egg donation as a route to parenthood value genetic relatedness for themselves and their child.”
The research paper is:
“Assisted reproduction in a cohort of same-sex male couples and single men”, by Stephanie A. Grovera, Ziva Shmorguna, Sergey I. Moskovtsev, Ari Baratza, Clifford L. Librach (DOI:10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.05.003), Article in Press, Reproductive Biomedicine Online (May 16, 2013), published by Elsevier. Available online on ScienceDirect http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1472648313002782
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Notes for Editors
Full text of the article is available to journalists upon request: contact Greyling Peoples at +31 20 485 3323 or g.peoples@elsevier.com.
About Reproductive Biomedicine Online
Reproductive BioMedicine Online (www.rbmojournal.com) covers the formation, growth and differentiation of the human embryo. It is intended to bring to public attention new research on biological and clinical research on human reproduction and the human embryo including relevant studies on animals. It is published by a group of scientists and clinicians working in these fields of study. Its audience comprises researchers, clinicians, practitioners, academics and patients.
It is an official publication of:
The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) www.aab.org
Alpha – Scientists in Reproductive Medicine, http://alphascientists.org
The American College of Embryology (ACE) www.embcol.org
The Global Chinese Association for Reproductive Medicine (GCARM) www.gcarm.com
The International Society for In Vitro Fertilization (ISIVF) www.isivf.com
The Mediterranean Society for Reproductive Medicine (MSRM) www.medreproduction.org
The Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society (PGDIS) www.pgdis.org
The Turkish Society of Reproductive Medicine (TSRM) www.tsrm.org.tr
About Elsevier
Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier’s online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby’s Nursing Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai’s Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.
A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).
Media contact
Greyling Peoples
Elsevier
+31 20 485 3323
g.peoples@elsevier.com
