New Test Enhances In-Vitro Fertilization to Likely Have Only One Birth

In the United States, during the past 25 years increase number of IVF procedures, attributed by more frequent consequences of infertility: More difficult childbearing later in life, increase in sexually transmissible infections, and other health concerns. Also, new updated IVF procedures proven to be more successful than earlier developed procedures. 2 In Vitro Fertilization procedure joins a woman's egg and sperm in a laboratory dish or test tube. Once the fertilization occurs, and cells begin to divide, returned to the woman's uterus ("Usually, 2 - 4 embryos are placed in the woman's uterus at one time. Each attempt is called a cycle."). 1 "In the United States, over 100,000 in-vitro fertilization procedures are performed each year." Draw-back success of the procedure, fifty percent result in multiple births. The incidences of multiple births from In Vitro Fertilization incurs health concerns for the mother, potential complications during the pregnancy, health concerns for the developing fetus's, higher healthcare costs, and parents or guardian unplanned costs to raise multiple children. A new non-invasive test eliminates the need to implant more than one embryo during the procedure of In Vitro Fertilization, limiting to one child birth or fewer multiple births. 3

Currently, procedures for In Vitro Fertilization requires a fertility specialists to implant one or more embryos, those upon microscopic examination look to be most viable, resulting in a pregnancy. Normally one-third of implanted embryo's procedures lead to full term pregnancies. "Yet those that do take, half result in multiple births." 4

Lead researcher Chemistry Professor David Burns (McGill University - Canada), and researchers at Yale University developed a non-invasive test (Via TestTM-E): Selects only the healthiest and most likely embryos to mature, implant in the womb. "This allows scientists to identify healthy eggs without interfering with them." 4 The Via-TestTM-E utilizes a software program (bioinformatics - Understanding of biological process - 5) developed by Dr. Burns, and spectroscopic analysis (Determine characteristics of the source 6) to study the molecular composition of the fertilization medium (fluid), during the evolution of an embryo In Vitro Fertilization. "The fertilization medium is analyzed 3 to 5 days after in-vitro fertilization." The analysis ascertains which embryo has measurable metabolic activity says Dr. Burns. Assistant Professor of obstetrics and gynecology at McGill University Dr. Hing-Sang Hum said the Via-TestTM-E analysis determine the best embryo to be implanted, one that is showing strongest signs of viability (life). The remaining good embryos will be preserved, if needed for later use. 3 Currently, the Food and Drug Administration is reviewing Via-TestTM-E for approval in the United States. 4

The Canadian Institutes of Health and Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council funded the research to develop Via-TestTM-E lead by Dr. David Burns. 4

When Via-TestTM-E is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, countless number of multiple child births through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) will be reduced or eliminated to one per procedure, thus health care costs will be reduced substantially, besides few number of pregnancy health concerns. More infertile couples or single woman may choose In Vitro Fertilization, considering the new test likely limits the outcome for one birth and no future financial consequence from multiple births.

References:

1.) In Vitro Fertilization - http://www.emedicinehealth.com/in_vitro_fertilization/article_em.htm

2.) Infertility - http://www.medical-library.org/journals4a/infertility.htm

3.) New embryo test could lead to fewer multiple births - http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/news/item/?item_id=24445

4.) New Test reduces risk of multiple births - http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=2dcf7642-0f6e-4d8a-9275-d76e93425f6c

5.) Bioinformatics - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioinformatics

6.) spectroscopic analysis - http://www.answers.com/topic/spectroscopic-analysis