Pregnancy is usually a time of happiness and hope, but it also brings in the unexpected. While there is much talk placed on the health of the expectant mother, the quality sperm coming from the father could dramatically change the outcome of pregnancy. The latest study suggests the risks of sperm DNA damage, even increasing the risks of complications preeclampsia and birth prematurity.

In a groundbreaking research study conducted by scientists from Lund University in Sweden, scientists discovered that DNA damage in sperm increases the risk almost up to double that of preeclampsia, this is a dangerous condition that may arise during pregnancies characterized by high blood pressure. In addition, DNA anomalies also increase the risk of premature births, and this further entails increased related adverse health outcomes for infants born through such conditions.

The next step would be to find out which group of men respond best to methods to prevent and treat sperm DNA damage, and to test these methods to prevent pregnancy complications," said Dr. Amelie Stenqvist, a lecturer at Lund University. According to this study, a significant message is put forward that paternal health assumes an important role in a successful pregnancy.

It focused its research on men, specifically whose sperm contained high levels of DNA fragmentation. For instance, some 20% to 30% of babies born via in vitro fertilization have fathers whose sperm contains damaged DNA. The DNA fragmentation index, an indicator to assess the percentage of DNA damage in sperm, indicated that when the percentage of sperm with a DFI above 30% was observed, they had almost no chance of resulting in natural conception. Even a DFI greater than 20% showed that the chances of getting pregnant are highly risky as the risk factor for pregnancy complications like preeclampsia is much high.

Uncommon Complications during Pregnancy

The most alarming complication during pregnancy is preeclampsia. It affects approximately 5% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide, which can cause fatal conditions for both the mother and the baby. The new findings now point out that sperm DNA damage may contribute to this condition, especially if it is due to assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF pregnancies. The research found that a DFI above 20% doubled the risk of preeclampsia from a mere 5% to almost 11% per.

Apart from causing preeclampsia, DNA fragmentation in sperm is also known to increase the risk for prematurity. Most premature babies experience respiratory, neurological, and developmental complications. Therefore, some degree of early intervention might be important for prospective parents.

Some of the rarer, though serious complications include placental abruption, which is the separation of the placenta from the uterine wall and intrauterine growth restriction, a condition by which the baby does not grow normally in the womb. These conditions though rare are potentially catastrophic both to the mother and the child. Results from this study may help in establishing the contribution of the father in such pregnancies.

Further study into sperm DNA damage is of urgent interest with regard to its consequences for pregnancy outcomes. According to Professor Aleksander Giwercman of Lund University in the field of Reproductive Medicine, "the analysis of DFI should be introduced as routine test in all fertility clinics.". "It could give answers to couples who are having difficulties with infertility, but our latest result also shows that DFI analysis can be a method to identify high-risk pregnancies, explained Giwercman.

For many, DNA fragmentation in sperm is often treatable. Common causes are oxidative stress, age, smoking, being obese, and infections. Addressing these elements will likely reduce DNA damage in sperm for men, raising the chances for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Overall, the study importance should take into consideration paternal as well as maternal health towards reaching for a healthy pregnancy. Though DNA fragmentation in the sperm is supposed to increase the risk factors for complications in pregnancies, the advances into novel treatment approaches and tests are likely to alleviate complications in many families. Thus the findings of this study offer optimism and pave a pathway to more holistic fertility treatments in the future.

While GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have helped patients lose weight, a major concern has been weight regain once the therapy is stopped. Now, a new study by US scientists suggests that a daily pill may help prevent that rebound weight gain.

According to a clinical trial led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, switching to the once-daily orforglipron pill may not only help maintain weight loss but also preserve cardiometabolic benefits.

Orforglipron is US drugmaker Eli Lilly’s first oral pill for weight loss, marketed as Foundayo. In April, it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Weight Loss With Daily Pill Orforglipron

In the Eli Lilly-funded trial, published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers found that patients in the Phase 3b clinical trial maintained around 75–80 per cent of their weight loss. They also experienced several additional health benefits, including:

• Reduced waist circumference
• Improved blood pressure
• Better blood sugar control
• Lower triglyceride levels
• Improved cholesterol levels

The Clinical Trial

The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial enrolled patients who had already achieved substantial weight loss that later plateaued while taking weekly injectable GLP-1 drugs during the SURMOUNT-5 trial.

The study randomized:

• 205 patients taking tirzepatide
• 171 patients taking semaglutide

The results showed that patients switching from tirzepatide to orforglipron maintained an average of 74.7 per cent of their body weight reduction, compared with 49.2 per cent in the placebo group.

Meanwhile, patients who switched from semaglutide to orforglipron maintained 79.3 per cent of their body weight reduction, compared with 37.6 per cent in the placebo arm.

Over the 52-week trial period, participants treated with orforglipron gained:

• An average of 5 kg (11 lbs) in the tirzepatide group
• An average of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) in the semaglutide group

How The Daily Pill Orforglipron Works

Eli Lilly licensed orforglipron, the active ingredient in Foundayo, from a Japanese pharmaceutical company in 2018.

Like injectable GLP-1 drugs, Orforglipron is available in six doses ranging from 0.8 mg to 17.2 mg. Patients typically begin at the lowest dose and gradually increase under medical supervision.

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Unlike some oral GLP-1 drugs, people taking orforglipron do not need to restrict food or drink intake after taking the pill. Researchers say the small molecule is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and reaches target tissues efficiently.

Orforglipron: Side Effects And Safety Concerns

Foundayo is not approved for use in children and carries warnings about potential thyroid tumours, including thyroid cancer.

The drugmaker advises patients to watch for symptoms such as:

• Lump or swelling in the neck
• Hoarseness
• Trouble swallowing
• Shortness of breath

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Swollen belly
• Fatigue
• Belching
• Heartburn
• Gas
• Hair loss.

In a major development for cancer care in India, Swiss pharmaceutical major Roche Pharma has launched Tecentriq SC, the country’s first subcutaneous (under-the-skin) immunotherapy for lung cancer that can be administered in approximately seven minutes.

While conventional intravenous (IV) infusions can take hours, Tecentriq SC can significantly improve the cancer treatment experience by reducing treatment time by nearly 80 per cent.

The seven-minute injectable immunotherapy has the potential to:

• Treat up to five patients in the time taken to treat one patient through intravenous infusion
• Help optimise healthcare resources
• Lower indirect treatment costs
• Minimise the need for patients to travel long distances
• Reduce the amount of time caregivers spend in hospitals

“With Tecentriq SC, we are bringing an innovation that meaningfully reduces treatment time while maintaining the established efficacy and safety profile of Tecentriq. We believe such advances can play an important role in enabling more patient-centric and future-ready cancer care delivery in India,” said Roche Pharma India Chief Medical Officer Dr Sivabalan Sivanesan, in a statement.

What Is Tecentriq SC? What's The Cost In India?

Tecentriq SC is the first and only PD-(L)1 inhibitor globally with both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) formulations across multiple cancers.

First approved by the UK MHRA in 2023 and subsequently by the USFDA in 2024, Tecentriq SC is now approved in more than 85 countries, with over 10,000 patients benefitting globally.

In India, Tecentriq SC is currently approved by the DCGI for adjuvant and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC is the most common form, making up about 80–85% of all cases.

According to Sivanesan, the drug is priced at about "Rs 3.7 lakh per vial".

Also read: India Gets Its First Alzheimer’s Drug: Know All About Eli Lilly’s Lormalzi

How Does Tecentriq SC Work?

Tecentriq SC combines Tecentriq with Halozyme Therapeutics’ Enhanze drug delivery technology.

The technology uses recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), an enzyme that temporarily increases permeability in the subcutaneous space, enabling rapid dispersion and absorption of the medicine into the bloodstream, the company said.

How Tecentriq SC will Boost Cancer Care In India

The launch of Tecentriq SC also aligns with the broader shift toward decentralised cancer care in India. Shorter administration formats can free up hospital beds, healthcare staff time, and oncology resources at tertiary care centres, while helping shift care delivery to daycare centres and beyond traditional tertiary hospitals.

“India’s growing cancer burden requires us to rethink how cancer care is delivered. Innovations such as subcutaneous immunotherapy have the potential to simplify treatment administration, reduce pressure on hospital beds and support more decentralised models of care beyond large metro hospitals,” said Dr Amit Rauthan, Consultant and HOD of Medical Oncology at Manipal Hospital.

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Tecentriq SC: Safety

Global studies have indicated strong patient preference for subcutaneous administration.

According to results from the IMscin002 study presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2024:

• Four out of five patients preferred Tecentriq SC over IV administration
• Patients cited less time in clinics, greater comfort, and lower emotional distress as key reasons for preference

Studies have also shown that subcutaneous administration is associated with less discomfort, pain, and irritation compared to IV administration.

In the IMscin001 study presented at ESMO 2023:

• 90 per cent of healthcare professionals agreed the SC formulation was easy to administer
• 75 per cent believed it could save time for healthcare teams.

Even as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) got rebranded as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), it signals a major shift in how doctors understand and treat one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women, said health experts today.

Speaking to HealthandMe, the experts noted that from the earlier narrowed focus on ovarian cysts, the transition toward PMOS will better capture the condition’s complex metabolic and endocrine nature.

Dr. Isha Kriplani, Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynecology at Paras Health, said the renaming marks “the beginning of a new era in women's gynecological health.”

What Does PMOS Mean?

Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women

The new name aims to explain the condition more accurately and comprehensively.

Polyendocrine means it affects multiple hormones in the body.

Metabolic refers to issues linked to weight, insulin, blood sugar, and heart health.

Ovarian highlights its impact on ovulation and reproductive health.

Syndrome refers to a group of symptoms occurring together.

In simple terms, PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect periods, fertility, skin, mood, weight, and long-term health.

How Will The Change Impact Women

Dr. Isha stated that the term PMOS acknowledges that the disorder is not solely linked to hormonal imbalance or ovarian dysfunction, but also deeply connected to metabolic health. She explained that many women experience symptoms such as weight gain, skin issues, fatigue, insulin resistance, and hormonal disturbances without necessarily showing ovarian cysts on ultrasonography.

“Rebranding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) into Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is the beginning of a new era in women's gynecological health. This is because renaming helps us understand that the complex interplay of this disease is not only about imbalanced hormones but also metabolism,” she told HealthandMe.

Dr. Isha added that the shift could help broaden diagnosis and encourage early intervention to prevent long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. She noted that the new terminology also provides women with a more accurate understanding of the syndrome and encourages treatment strategies focused on addressing the root metabolic causes.

Why The Change To PMOS Was Necessary

Dr. Raina Chawla, Associate Director – Gynecology at Sarvodaya Hospital, told HealthandMe the transition from PCOS to PMOS corrects what she described as one of medicine’s “most persistent misnomers.”

She explained that for years, the term PCOS led many patients to believe the condition was purely ovarian in nature, often resulting in confusion and delays in diagnosis. According to Dr. Raina, the so-called “cysts” seen in PCOS are actually immature follicles that develop as a consequence of the disorder rather than being its primary cause.

Also read: PCOD vs PCOS vs PMOS: Why The Condition’s Name Has Changed Over Time

“The shift from PCOS to Reproductive Metabolic Syndrome (PMOS) is an important move toward correcting one of medicine’s most persistent misnomers,” Dr. Raina said.

She further emphasized that the newer terminology places appropriate attention on insulin resistance and androgen excess, helping doctors and patients approach the disorder as a systemic endocrine and metabolic condition rather than a localized ovarian issue.

Experts believe the change in terminology could also reduce stigma and improve awareness about the wide-ranging symptoms associated with the syndrome, while encouraging a more holistic treatment approach that includes lifestyle modifications, metabolic screening, and long-term preventive care.