Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

DaCosta

On March 2, 2001, Suzette and Aaron Jackson had their prayers answered. Suzette gave birth to twin sons, Mahesh and Rahesh. What was amazing about their births was that they were the first Jamaicans to be conceived through in vitro fertilisation, otherwise known as standard IVF, performed at the Fertility Unit of the University of the West Indies.

Since then, the unit has performed over 500 treatments with a success rate that has risen from 18 per cent in 2000 to 40 per cent in 2007.

Causes of infertility

There are many reasons a couple may have to seek the services of the centre. The causes of infertility can involve one or both partners. In women, these may include; damage or blockage of the Fallopian tube, endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome. In men, infertility include abnormal sperm production or function or chromosonal abnormality and low sperm count. These are related to general health and lifestyle issues and overexposure to certain environmental elements. Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the unit, Dr Vernon DaCosta, notes that over the years there has been a global decline in men's sperm count. Research has indicated that one possibility could be related to increased exposure to the female harmone oestrogen.