Estrogen Gene Helps Explain Some Infertility

Fertility drugs may not help certain women if they lack a certain estrogen-related gene, scientists studying mice suggested on Wednesday. Mice genetically engineered to lack the gene did not ovulate in response to fertility drugs, the researchers found. If the same is true in women, it could help explain some forms of infertility and also help steer women away from treatments unlikely to help them. The gene is called estrogen reseptor beta, the team of National Institutes of Health researchers report in the August issue of Endocrinology.