Pregnancies ending in miscarriage were found to have fathers whose sperm showed increased numbers of defective sperm as well as lower sperm counts. This was the conclusion in a 1962 research project conducted by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Sabbatsberg Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. Semen specimens were gathered from 201 men whose wives had experienced miscarriages in the second to third month of pregnancy or spontaneous abortions in the fourth to fifth month of pregnancy. Over half the research families had experienced two or more miscarriages. For comparison, sperm samples were taken from a control group of 116 husbands who had visited the hospital but whose wives had produced living normal children within two years. To insure similar parameters among participants, sperm samples were acquired by masturbation after an abstinence period of five days. Results of the two groups showed that sperm counts for the miscarriage/spontaneous abortion group was 110.2 million per cubic centimeter, while the sperm counts for the fathers of successful pregnancies was 138.7 million per cubic centimeter. The investigators classified this as “highly significant statistically.” Of even more concern, it was found through microscopic examination of sperm samples that approximately 48% of the sperm were “abnormal” in the unsuccessful pregnancies while only 4% of the sperm were “abnormal” in the men who produced normal children.
4% Abnormal Sperm in “Normal” Pregnancies
48% Abnormal Sperm in Miscarriages
Pregnancies ending in miscarriage are being found to be fathered by men with higher numbers of abnormal sperm (i.e. misshapen sperm heads, double tails, etc.). Abnormal sperm are also being found to occur more often in males exposed to chemicals during the two month sperm development period before conception.
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In summary, the researchers stated;
“In the group of abortions (unsuccessful pregnancies) there was a highly significant increase in the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa as well as a highly significant decrease in the absolute number of normal spermatozoa. The conclusion is reached that defective semen may be an important factor in the etiology of abortions.”
Drs. Mirjam Furuhjelm, Birgit Jonson, and C. Lagergren
Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sabbatsberg Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
International Journal of Fertility
Dr Spence PentlandDr. Pentland is founder of The IVF Acupuncture Group of Greater Vancouver, available 7 days a week for on site embryo transfer and acupuncture treatments at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM) and Genesis Fertility Centre. “The integrated relationship I have established with these clinics is something that I value very much as it expands my knowledge, gives me the opportunity to reach more people, and helps me better understand how to support women on their journey toward family.” says Dr. Pentland.
Dr. Pentland, along with Dr. Jeffrey Roberts of The Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM), and Dr. Christine Sutton of the University of British Columbia, authored research published in Fertility & Sterility on the stress reducing effects of acupuncture when administered in the weeks leading up to an IVF embryo transfer.
In 2015 Spence published BEING FERTILE - 10 Steps to Help You Overcome the Struggles of Infertility, Get Pregnant, and Create a Happy, Healthy Family. A book written to provide hope, tools and resources for women and couples experiencing difficulty starting or expanding their families.
Dr. Pentland is founder of The IVF Acupuncture Group of Greater Vancouver, available 7 days a week for on site embryo transfer and acupuncture treatments at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM) and Genesis Fertility Centre. “The integrated relationship I have established with these clinics is something that I value very much as it expands my knowledge, gives me the opportunity to reach more people, and helps me better understand how to support women on their journey toward family.” says Dr. Pentland.
Dr. Pentland, along with Dr. Jeffrey Roberts of The Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM), and Dr. Christine Sutton of the University of British Columbia, authored research published in Fertility & Sterility on the stress reducing effects of acupuncture when administered in the weeks leading up to an IVF embryo transfer.
In 2015 Spence published BEING FERTILE - 10 Steps to Help You Overcome the Struggles of Infertility, Get Pregnant, and Create a Happy, Healthy Family. A book written to provide hope, tools and resources for women and couples experiencing difficulty starting or expanding their families.
Further demonstrating his commitment to reproductive health, he is a devoted member of IAAC (Infertility Awareness Association), CFAS (Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society), and ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine).
As the former president of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of British Columbia and the provincial BC TCM quality assurance committee, Dr. Pentland is well respected by peers and patients alike. He remains actively involved in educating healthcare colleagues and the public on the powerful benefits of Chinese medicine & acupuncture, working steadily on the integration of ancient Daoist wisdom into modern western life as a way to build awareness about reproductive health. This compassionate expertise is reflected in patient testimonials.
When not helping others start their families, Spence can be found spending time with his own--his adoring wife Chantal and their two beautiful sons. “I am very proud to be part of the team of professionals at Yinstill. We are all dedicated to raising the bar in the field of complimentary and alternative reproductive medicine. Nothing is more important than family,” he says.
Professional Development Certifications
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Treating Complex Gynecological Conditions with Evidence-based Acupuncture - Elisabet Stener-Victorin
High-Performance Summit - Darren Hardy
Acupuncture during Pregnancy: safe and ethical practice - Claudia Citkovitz
Treating Irregular Menstrual Bleeding - Sharon Weizenbaum
Management of High Risk Pregnancy Conditions - David Bray
Physiology & Pathology of Gynecology - Giovanni Maciocia
Treatment protocols for Menopause and Endometriosis - Kiiko Matsumoto
Chinese medicine approach to the treatment of Poor Ovarian Reserve - Brandon Horn
Clinical problems and solutions in Oriental Reproductive medicine - Dr. Daoshing Ni
Treatment strategies for PCOS, Weight Loss, & type 2 Diabetes - Sharon Weizenbaum
Allergic and Autoimmune diseases - Mazin Al-Khafaji
Acupuncture in Pregnancy & Childbirth - Debra Betts
Treating Infertility with Chinese medicine - Bob Flaws
Masters class in Diagnosis - Bob Flaws
East meets West in Reproductive medicine - Mike Berkley
The Infertility Cure - Chinese wellness program - Randine Lewis
Men’s Health and Fertility - Peter Deadman
Integrating acupuncture and IVF - Diane Cridennda and Dr. Paul Magarelli
Treatment of Infertility with Chinese medicine - Jane Lyttleton
Yang School lecture series Part 1 - Dr. Liu Fang
Advanced acupuncture in pregnancy - Jean Levesque
Certified Western herbalist - Packard School of Nutrition
Courageous conversations - Justice Institute
Biology of Empowerment - Dr. Lee Pulos
Secrets of Chinese Pulse Diagnosis - Bob Flaws and Honora Lee Wolfe
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