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DNA Fingerprinting And In Vitro FertilizationThe Science Of The Future
Researchers are using a novel new DNA test to determine which IVF embryos are likely to result in a healthy pregnancy.
A DNA fingerprint for healthy embryos that result in the birth of live babies, free of abnormalities, has been developed. What Is Wrong With Existing Technology?Couples are in a 'pot luck' situation with IVF. There is no way of guaranteeing that an embryo will implant successfully or progress into a viable pregnancy and the doctors involved can only assess embryo quality by looking at the shape of them (morphology). Those with the most normal looking shape are chosen to be put back in the womb. Due to the lack of a definitive test, most clinics advise that more than one embryo is put back. This is why assisted conception carries a greater than average risk of twins or higher multiple births and with that, an increased risk of pregnancy complications including high blood pressure, miscarriage, need for a caesarean section, premature birth and the potiential for disabilities in the babies. Because of this, embryologists try to minimize the risk of multiple birth in IVF. Now, a new DNA test is set to revolutionize fertility treatment. Blastocyst BiopsyScientists at Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories created a DNA fingerprinting technique to help them identify which embryos to transfer to a woman. It involves taking a biopsy of a small number of cells from the developing blastocyst (an embryo in its initial, early stages of growth). Anything between eight and 20 cells are harvested and analysed to determine the genetic structure of the embryo. Another cell sample would be taken after the birth of any resulting baby, from his umbilical cord, so that doctors can see which blastocyst he developed from. They will then be able to see based on genes, which embryos make healthy babies and have a genetic blueprint for a successful outcome. The technique is not foolproof and cannot 100% guarantee a live birth, but it is hoped it will increase the rate of live births. The Study48 women took part in the pilot study at Genesis Athens Hospital in Greece. All had biopsies performed on their embryos at 5 days post conception. 25 women of the 48 became pregnant and 23 did not. In most of the women who achieved a pregnancy, some of the embryos failed to implant. A total of 37 babies were born as a result and samples taken from their cords to match them to the blastocysts they grew from. It is these gene samples that doctors hope to use to develop a more accurate test for assessing embryo viability.
The copyright of the article DNA Fingerprinting And In Vitro Fertilization in Fertility Research is owned by Joanna Karpasea-Jones. Permission to republish DNA Fingerprinting And In Vitro Fertilization in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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