Highlights From the 2015 Meeting of The American Society For Reproductive Medicine - IMPROVING IVF SUCCESS RATES By manara99 on November 01, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2015 MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF

REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE - IMPROVING IVF SUCCESS RATES

Many techniques for improving IVF success rates were discussed during this course including

discussion of alternative super-ovulation stimulation protocols, the concept of freezing all

embryos in the stimulated cycle with embryo transfer delayed until the next cycle, better

techniques of embryo transfer, and latest methodology of genetic assessment of the embryo in

an effort to select the best embryo for transfer. The latest technology available for assessing the

genetic makeup of the embryo, "next generation sequencing", allows a more accurate and

detailed analysis of the embryo. This technology allows for fewer false positive and fewer false

negative results.

 

There was much discussion about how to decrease IVF failure rates, since failure of the embryo

to implant causes so much stress and unhappiness among our patients. It was pointed out that

miscarriages have the greatest negative emotional impact on patients. Clearly the best

available technique to achieve the highest ongoing pregnancy rate and the lowest miscarriage

rate is through selection of the best embryo for transfer, and the best method of finding the

embryo most likely to result in a live birth is pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS). Currently

performing embryo biopsy on the 5th day after insemination followed by analysis of all

chromosomes seems to be the best approach. Although PGS seems to raise the ongoing

pregnancy rates and reduce miscarriage rates significantly, it does usually require that embryos

be frozen to allow time for the chromosomal studies to be done. In addition, at the present time,

most insurance companies are not covering this procedure, even in states where IVF coverage

is mandated by law. The cost for this procedure is in the range of $4000 - $5000 depending on

which lab is chosen and the geographical location. The challenge in the future is to reduce the

costs of PGS so that more patients may screen their embryos. The knowledge that an embryo

is genetically normal allows several distinct advantages including the following:

 

1) The implantation rate of screened genetically normal embryos (euploid) is very

high. For this reason, single embryo transfer is recommended, drastically reducing the chance

of twins. Because singleton pregnancies are much safer than multi-fetal pregnancies,

transferring a single genetically normal embryo is the ideal approach.

2) The pregnancy rate (implantation rate) for a genetically normal embryo is

significantly higher than for an unscreened embryo.

3) The miscarriage rate is significantly lower when a genetically normal embryo is

transferred compared to a non-screened embryo.

 

Related to genetic screening of embryos and improvements in embryo cryopreservation, an

alternative approach to managing infertility related to diminished to ovarian reserve is gaining

traction. Some centers are advocating that patients who are poor responders undergo multiple

egg retrievals and allow all embryos to grow to the blastocyst stage. Any embryo that forms a

blastocyst undergoes biopsy and the biopsy material is stored. Once the patient has

accumulated several embryos, each of the biopsies undergoes genetic study (either array CGH,

comprehensive chromosomal screening, or next generation sequencing). If one or more of the

embryos is genetically normal, the patient has a frozen embryo transfer. The advantages of

this approach are that the patient reduces the disappointments and delays associated with

treatment failure and miscarriage. For patients who may be in their late 30's or early 40's,

freezing multiple embryos and banking them for future use has the advantage of preserving

embryos while the patient is younger and more likely to have genetically normal embryos. In

some cases, these embryos may represent the only opportunity to patient may have to conceive

in 2-3 years when she is ready to have another child. ln addition, laboratories performing the

genetic studies usually charge only one fee when the genetic studies are all run at the same

time.

 

Until an easier, less invasive, less costly approach to embryo selection becomes available, PGS

utilizing one of available platforms for chromosome analysis, remains a powerful tool for

improving implantation rates and decreasing miscarriage rates.

Related to This

Dr. Louis R. Manara

Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility

Dr. Louis R. Manara and the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility team are dedicated to helping families achieve parenthood through safe, versatile, and personalized treatment options. We are affiliated with several noteworthy organizations including:

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
  • American Osteopathic Association®

​If you are struggling with infertility, a professional diagnosis is the best way to explore your treatment options. Schedule your initial consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (856) 767-0009.

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