Laboratory studies conducted at Queen's University, Belfast, U.K. suggest that taking the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra may adversely affect sperm function and possibly male fertility.

The investigators say that recreational users of Viagra need to be informed of its potentially harmful effects on sperm function. In their experiments, Dr. David R. J. Glenn and colleagues observed that exposure ofcultured sperm to Viagra, compared to no exposure, led to a 'sustained enhancement of motility' both in numbers of progressively motile sperm and their velocity.

However, exposure to Viagra - at concentrations equivalent to the average maximum total blood concentration present 30 minutes after a single oral dose of 100 milligrams - also caused premature changes to sperms affecting their ability to penetrate the egg's membrane.

Source: Reuters

More breast genes identified

Researchers say they've moved much closer to untangling the genetic threads that raise a woman's chance for breast cancer.

A set of studies published recently in the journals Nature and Nature Genetics identified four new breast cancer susceptibility genes, as well as several genetic markers, that are associated with the risk for the disease and that deserve further investigation. The findings may be the most important genetic discoveries relating to breast cancer genetics since the identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA 2 susceptibility mutations in 1994, experts say.

"With these three reports, we've doubled or more the number of genes in which inherited variations are known to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. It's a big quantum of new knowledge," said David Hunter, lead author of one of the papers and co-author on another.

Source: HealthDay News

Contact lens solution recalled

Government officials are warning people to throw away a contact lens solution after an investigation linked it to a rare eye infection.

The warning concerns AMO Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution, used for cleaning and storing soft contact lenses, said a spokeswoman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The solution seems to be a factor in cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful eye infection that can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness. The solution is made by Advanced Medical Optics Inc., a publicly traded company based in Santa Ana, California. The company had said that it is voluntarily recalling the product.

Source: The Associated Press