Australian researchers have hit upon a method to identify IVF embryos that are viable. the researchers have used gene analysis techniques to determine if IVF embryos can result in a full pregnancy.
After IVF treatment embryos are implanted into the womb so as to mature there. However most embryos fail to mature to the blastocyst stage due to a variety of reasons and this new method could help doctors select viable embryos that can in fact result in pregnancy.Researchers at the Monash University tested this technique on 48 women who were undergoing IVF therapy. When the blastocyst stage was reached, the embryos were analyzed by removing a layer called trophectoderm. All women received at least one embryo. After the babies were born, researchers used DNA fingerprinting on cord blood to test which embryos had matured.
They also analyzed the genes present during the blastocyst stage. "The ability to select the single most viable embryo from within a cohort available for transfer will revolutionise the practice of IVF, not only improving pregnancy rates but eliminating multiple pregnancies and the attendant complications," said lead researcher Dr Gayle Jones.
The details appear in the journal Human Reproduction.
Source-Medindia
RAS/L
