New studies on fertility

Two studies have recently been published that may shed new light on the fertility process. The first study, conducted by British scientist Lynn Frasier, found that soy consumption by both men and women might make sperm less fertile. Whereas soy consumption by men directly seems to affects sperm production, soy consumption by women appear to cause changes in the vaginal environment that can harm sperm. The research on this topic is premliminary at this point, but researchers suggest that women and men who are tying to conceive might want to reduce their consumption of soy products during ovulation. In addition, this study, while interesting, further complicates our understanding of the role that soy plays in human health. There is still much debate about the role that soy plays in the prevention and promotion of breast cancer. And in the case of fertility, scientists have not found fertility problems among populations--mainly Asian ones--who consume high amounts of soy.

The second study, which was conducted by a team of Israeli researchers, have found evidence that genes might by the reason why some women are able to conceive naturally over the age of 45. The scientists hypothesize that these genes slow the aging of the ovaries. Because the study focused solely on Ashkenazi Jewish women, the investigators said that further research needs to be done to see if this gene also exists among women from other ethnic backgrounds.