Dr. Louis R. Manara

Couples experiencing infertility frequently ask what they can do to improve their prospects for achieving a successful pregnancy.  In this piece I have provided general information and direction for couples facing infertility with recommendations based on my own experiences treating infertile couples for many years.

A recent British group, published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online has come up with a novel method of studying human embryos in culture that involves the use of time-lapse photography to monitor the growth rate of embryos.  The technique allows embryologists to identify precisely the time at which embryos reach critical stages of development.  It is understood that genetically abnormal embryos are delayed in reaching certain developmental milestones. Time-lapse information was used by investigators to select the best embryos for transfer and improve the live birth rate by 56 percent.

Reproductive specialists seek technological advancements, which improve their patient’s prospects for successful pregnancy.  Selecting the best embryo for transfer is likely to lead to the best chance for success.  A recent paper suggests a minimally invasive technique with potential to help select the best embryo for transfer. Researchers from England and Italy have removed and analyzed fluid from within the embryonic cavity.  Their preliminary studies have shown the presence of cell free embryonic DNA in this fluid. This technology may enable us to obtain accurate genetic information about the embryo in a minimally invasive fashion  leading to improved embryo selection and higher pregnancy rates.