Understanding the correlation between artificial insemination and offspring health outcomes

Abstract

Although numerous articles have shown intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization to be correlated with increased risk of disease, a few works have been published on the risks associated with artificial insemination. Meanwhile, questions about the possible causes underlying these correlations have remained in the background. The main objective of this work is not to review the risks associated with artificial insemination, but rather to describe how developmental processes may be affected by these techniques. Thus, we offer a theoretical framework for understanding the possible causes that underlie the correlation between low‐complexity or milder techniques and offspring health outcomes.

Integrating natural and sexual selection across the biphasic life cycle

“…Sperm swimming longevity [76,98] and thermotaxis [99] appear to filter sperm within-ejaculates in such a way that influences which are available for fertilization. This has applied implications, for example with in vitro fertilization including sperm sexing [100,101] for agricultural breeding programs, and other aspects related to human fertility treatment [102,103]. More thorough research on the complete suite of haploid-expressed genes is needed in animals, followed by empirical testing of artificial selection on those genes.…”