How latest genetic data on fertility may be an indicator of chronic disease onset and longevity
Evidence is growing that conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and neurodegenerative disorders are associated with reduced ovarian reserve, which refers to the number of healthy eggs remaining in a woman's ovaries as she ages.
In contrast, extended ovarian function appears to correlate with general good health and the possibility that greater reproductive success is an indicator of longevity.
The complex genetic interplay between the onset of menstruation and menopause came into sharp focus today at the 2025 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Singapore.
In a keynote address to the Congress, Professor Joop Laven, a world expert in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, suggested reproductive lifespan was associated with "survival".
He is the Professor of Reproductive Medicine at Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam in The Netherlands, Past President of the Dutch Society of Reproductive Medicine, and a lead figure in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS).
The GWAS project has identified about 290 genetic determinants of reproductive ageing in a huge cohort of about 500,000 women of European ancestry.
In the project, Professor Laven has explored the genetic basis of hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), along with premature ovarian insufficiency, menarche and menopause.
At the ASPIRE Congress, Professor Laven said women with PCOS tended to have the most effective genetic variants for DNA repair providing a "genetic advantage" of fertility beyond the fourth decade of life, when most women have exhausted their natural supply of eggs.
"Studies show PCOS women have better DNA repair and therefore produce better embryos at a later age compared to controls, and they have an extended reproductive life span," he explained.
"Women with PCOS have issues getting pregnant earlier in life. This may reduce the total number of children they have so they do not have a negative trade-off that a high number of children might have.
"Together with their longer lifespan this may represent an evolutionary advantage. Moreover, by having children later in life might reduce the incidence of PCOS in their offspring."
Professor Laven said studies indicated that over time, the gradual accumulation of DNA damage results in the exhaustion of cell renewal capacity and dysfunction in affected organs, ultimately accelerating cell death, commonly referred to as ageing.
"A similar erosion of the genome occurs within the ovaries," he said.
"The extent of DNA maintenance and repair also seems to have a determining effect on susceptibility to conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease."
Professor Laven said sub-fertility should be monitored as it serves as a sensitive marker for susceptibility to these conditions highlighting the importance of patient follow up among those presenting for assisted reproduction.
"This seems to be in contrast to what most assisted reproductive technology clinics do," he added. "In general, clinics only report live birth rates as success.
"So, in many cases we are not following up our patients who may be susceptible to non-communicable diseases when we have the opportunity to develop preventive health strategies for them."
The ASPIRE Congress at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore has brought together over 2,000 scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors for a program that will help shape the future of fertility health care in the region and around the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Stone in Yunfu: carving timeless beauty through centuries of craftsmanship
GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- News report from GDToday. Yunfu, a city in Guangdong Province known as the "Capital of Stone in China," shines as a radiant pearl in the Lingnan region. Every piece of stone here bears the mark of time. With a legacy spanning over four centuries, Yunfu fuses the raw artistry of nature with the brilliance of human craftsmanship, creating a stone culture that has captivated the world. Yunfu is home to a diverse collection of stone, resembling nature's grand palette and showcasing the "essence of global geological evolution". It boasts over a thousand varieties of stone, including marble, granite, and limestone, alongside internationally renowned stones such as Blue Jade from Africa, Crystal from Italy, Snow Mountain Blue, Pandora, Golden Peacock, and Crystal Blue from Brazil. As "China's Stone Circulation Demonstration Base" and "China's Capital of Artificial Stone," Yunfu hosts the annual International Stone Materials Science and Tech Fair and Stone Culture Week, drawing merchants from around the globe and living up to its promise of "global sourcing and global sales." Yunfu hosts China's largest stone industry cluster, with over 4,000 enterprises stretching along the famed "Hundred-Mile Stone Materials Corridor" and 200,000 skilled professionals driving innovation. The simultaneous advancement of eco-friendly production and digital transformation has infused traditional industries with green vitality in the modern era. Today, Yunfu connects with the world through stone. From monumental architectural visions to elegant touches in home design, the stone in Yunfu, carved with centuries of craftsmanship and infused with the spirit of nature, continues to create timeless masterpieces for the global stage. The 22nd Yunfu International Stone Materials Sci-Tech Fair and the 16th Yunfu Stone Cultural Week will be held from October 18 to 21, 2025, at Hall A of the Yunfu International Stone Materials Expo Center at Hekou Subdistrict, Yuncheng District, Yunfu City. This year, the event will feature stone pavilions of fine stone products showcased by stone enterprises. We sincerely invite fellow professionals, designers, and distinguished guests from around the world in the stone industry to participate as exhibitors or visitors. Scan the QR codes to discover more about Yunfu's stone industry.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
Breaking boundaries in AI-powered life sciences
Baek Minkyung, AI-driven protein expert, honored with APEC award for pioneering work in structural biology In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence-powered life sciences, Baek Minkyung, assistant professor of department of biological sciences at Seoul National University, is making waves for pushing the boundaries of protein structure prediction and design. As the winner of this year's APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education, or Aspire, which is co-hosted by Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT and APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation, she shared her vision for inclusive biotechnology that addresses global challenges. She is the first Korean to receive the award since professor Kug Jong-seong of Seoul National University, who was honored in 2015 for his El Nino prediction model. 'The Aspire award reflects the collective effort of colleagues who have shared the challenges and breakthroughs along the way,' she said. 'I find it especially meaningful that our accomplishments in protein structure prediction and design have been recognized for their social value. I hope to continue leveraging AI technologies to better understand the complexities of life and to conduct research that contributes to solving societal problems.' Her flagship innovation, RoseTTAFold, is an AI-based model capable of predicting the 3D structures of proteins. It has already been applied across biological research, drug discovery and vaccine design. 'I am expanding beyond predicting static, single structures to exploring multiple conformations of proteins, predicting protein–protein and protein–nucleic acid interactions and designing novel biomolecules with desired functions,' she explained. The Aspire award's 2025 theme -- "Toward AI-Bio Convergence: AI-based Inclusive Biotechnology Solving Social Challenges" -- resonates deeply with her research philosophy. For her, 'inclusive biotechnology' means ensuring that cutting-edge life science tools benefit a broad range of diseases and populations. Projects in her lab have included designing vaccine antigens for infectious diseases and predicting the structures of proteins linked to rare or under-researched conditions. Behind her success lies a guiding principle: Research should be both intellectually stimulating and socially relevant. She credits her growth as a cross-disciplinary scientist to the freedom and mentorship she received during her graduate and postdoctoral years. 'Convergence research often takes time to yield results and I was fortunate to have mentors who encouraged risk-taking rather than rushing the process,' she said. Looking ahead, she sees vast potential for international collaboration, particularly among young scientists in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation region. 'Open sharing of data and tools, along with diverse perspectives, can inspire new ideas and innovative joint projects,' she said, underscoring the importance of sustained communication and trust. To early-career scientists, her advice is both practical and encouraging: 'Research often requires long periods of reflection and trial-and-error, but it is also deeply rewarding. Even small exchanges of ideas across disciplines can spark collaborations that address big challenges.' Her journey has not been without obstacles. Coming from a chemistry background, she initially found integrating AI into her work daunting. 'Rather than studying AI in isolation, I looked for ways to bridge the conceptual gap between AI and protein research,' she recalled. 'Interdisciplinary research is not just about placing two fields side by side -- it's about understanding each other's language and bridging the gaps creatively.' As AI continues to reshape science, she believes it will act as both a research accelerator and a catalyst for discovery -- enabling tasks once thought impossible and opening doors to entirely new scientific frontiers. 'That said,' she cautioned, 'we must address data quality, result interpretation and ethical issues to ensure AI's positive and lasting impact.' yeeun@
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
Hospital Management Asia 2025: Shaping the Future of Asian Healthcare
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospital Management Asia (HMA), the region's premier annual event for hospital management and healthcare, is set to officially take place at GEM Center, Ho Chi Minh City. This year's conference, organised by Clarion Events Pte Ltd, will gather over 100 speakers from 15 countries and territories, alongside hundreds of hospital leaders, medical professionals, and healthcare organizations from across the region and beyond. From Healthcare System Reform to Medical Tourism Under the theme "Quality, Experience & Leadership in Healthcare: Integrate – Inspire – Innovate," HMA 2025 aims to reaffirm core values in modern hospital governance: driving excellence in quality, enhancing patient experience, and fostering strong leadership. The conference officially opens on September 10, 2025, with remarks by Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan – Vice Minister of Health, Vietnam, alongside HMA organizing committee representatives. Over the two-day conference, delegates can expect to hear from world-leading experts, including: Dr Lisa Ishii, Senior Vice President (Operations), Johns Hopkins Health System, USA, who will speak on how hospital leadership can be shaped by lessons from the past and innovations in the future. Sasa Mutic – President of Radiation Oncology Solutions, who will be presenting ideas and innovations into accelerating cancer survivorship journeys. There will also be more than 20 in-depth discussion sessions focusing on the three main pillars of: 1. Quality and Safety: infection prevention, AI in diagnosis & treatment, EHR, clinical decision-making; 2. Patient and Staff Experience: healthcare service design, PREMs/PROMs, staff well-being; and 3. Leadership and Organizational Models: Hospital-at-Home, DRG vs FFS business models, ESG, succession strategies, Value-Based Care. Some prominent topics at the conference include medical tourism, a sector where Thailand has established itself as a global leader and economic powerhouse. Leading institutions such as Bumrungrad International Hospital have established Thailand's reputation for excellence, with Artirat Charukitpipat, CEO, Bumrungrad International Hospital, presenting a case study on how the hospital maintains rigorous international accreditation standards while delivering comprehensive medical services. Hospitals also grapple with the ongoing challenges of resource optimization and staff wellbeing while maintaining exceptional patient outcomes. Dr Saran Intakul, Deputy Hospital Director, Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, will be presenting a compelling case study drawing from real-world experience including his team's exemplary response to the 2024 Singapore Airlines SQ321 turbulence incident that led to an influx of patients to the hospital, demonstrating how strategic workflow preparation and connected care systems enable healthcare facilities to efficiently manage mass-casualty events. Celebrating Innovation and Connecting Practice A notable highlight at HMA 2025 will be two highly anticipated panel sessions on each day of the conference. The " DRG Debate" session will see experts from Malaysia and Thailand's health ministries and associations exchanging opinions in a fiery discussion over the dilemma on whether the Diagnosis-Related Group or Fee-For-Service business model is better-suited to deliver both cost containment and quality care in Southeast Asia's diverse healthcare markets. Meanwhile, the " Vietnam Four" panel session will bring together representatives from four exemplary hospital systems in Vietnam: Hoa Lam Group, FV Hospital, Vinmec International Healthcare System, and Hoan My Medical Corporation. Here, these representatives will share practical experiences and strategies for developing effective hospital models. HMA 2025 wraps up with its highly-anticipated Gala Dinner and the HMA Awards 2025 ceremony, honoring outstanding innovations in hospital management across Asia. Award-winning organizations are recognized as exemplary models of innovation throughout the region. The organizing committee encourages guests to wear traditional national attire, celebrating Asian cultural diversity and fostering multinational connections. Following the main event, on September 12, international delegates will participate in a field visit program to leading hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City: FV Hospital, Gia An 115, City International Hospital, and Tam Anh Hospital. This provides an opportunity for international delegates to directly experience the operational models, treatment protocols, and innovative strategies being implemented in Vietnam. HMA 2025 promises to be a forum for knowledge sharing, professional networking, and creating solutions for the future of Asian healthcare. For more information, please contact:
