New treatment could double pregnancy rates
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Pregnancy rates could be doubled for couples undertaking fertility treatment, thanks to a revolutionary project being trialled by the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ.
Researchers from the University's have devised a new formula to significantly improve embryo implantation rates and reduce pregnancy complications in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Early trial results involving mice are encouraging and provide proof-of-concept that the treatment doubles pregnancy rates.
Lead researcher has been awarded $294,750 by the Federal Government to demonstrate that the treatment is safe and improves pregnancy outcome and postnatal health in offspring.
"Assuming our success, the concept will be taken to the next stage in human trials with the help of the University's commercial partner for this technology, ," Associate Professor Roberts says.
The development grant is a major breakthrough for the 15% of couples in first world countries who are either infertile or suffer from recurrent miscarriages.
"Assisted reproductive technologies provide some hope for these couples, but they have a relatively poor success rate with only 15-40% of embryo transfers resulting in ongoing pregnancies, depending on maternal age," Associate Professor Roberts says.
"Fertility in women declines significantly with age, and so too does the success of ART. Since women ar