are not viable, says study
Researchers at the School of Medicine have found that 85% of embryos transferred during in vitro fertilization fail to result in live births, highlighting the need for improving diagnostic techniques to identify viable embryos.
Published in the August issue of Fertility and Sterility, the study reviewed seven years of U.S. statistics from all the fertility clinics that report data on reproductive techniques. Dr. Pasquale Patrizio, director of the Yale Fertility Center and professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, led the project.
"Something in nature has decided that these implanted embryos are not viable," says Patrizio, who conducted the study with co-author Dr. George Kovalevsky of Eastern Virginia Medical School.
"We as practitioners in the reproductive clinic are in a paradoxical situation," Patrizio adds. "There is pressure to reduce multiple births, but we need to do so knowing that the majority of the embryos that are transferred do not implant. It is difficult to strike a balance between these two needs."
Patrizio says he and his fellow physicians strive to better identify the embryos with the most potential. But, he notes, addressing the growing pressure to transfer fewer embryos to reduce multiple births is a difficult task unless they can come up with a method in the lab to identify the best embryos.
"Some potential methods for screening embryos include using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and biochemical markers of embryo viability," said Patrizio. "In addition this study should also move the field toward perfecting methods of egg production."
-- By Karen Peart
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Yale community extends helping hand to the victims of Hurricane Katrina
Yale leaders contribute $70,000 to match employee and student donations
Student donates prize money to aid victims of hurricane
Panel examined why Katrina was 'a perfect storm' of failure
Brenzel named undergraduate admissions dean
Studies explore function and formation of feathers
Chinese president's visit postponed
ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS
Richard L. Cohn: Battell Professor of the Theory of Music
Lawrence Manley: William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of English
Robert S. Nelson: Robert Lehman Professor of the History of Art
Susan C. Stokes: John S. Saden Professor of Political ScienceNBA star to discuss his humanitarian efforts in the Congo
Director Sofia Coppola to give Chubb Lecture
Labor-management training aims to foster cooperation
Project explores how cultural outlook impacts opinions
MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS
NIH gives $3.6 million for research to alleviate anxiety . . .
Common pesticide linked to reduced fertility in women
Most implanted embryos are not viable, says study
Study: Hormone therapy for menopause leads to fewer wrinkles
Nicotine, long thought to curb appetite, may actually increase it . . .
Research shows brain distinguishes between odors inhaled . . .
Schizophrenics with diabetes still receive antipsychotic drugs . . .
Medical school offering clinical trial of new treatment . . .'Days of Caring'
Event celebrates 400-year anniversary of 'Don Quixote'
Symposium to examine history of U.S. reach into the Pacific
Scientist Pan invited to participate in NAE symposium
Electrical engineer T.P. Ma is honored for solid-state research
In weekly series, World Fellows will debate global topics
University will celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 20
Multimedia artist presents photo exhibit and video installation at ISM
'A Taste of Bulgaria' to aid flood victims in another corner of the world
Urban infra-power and urban charisma to be explored in conference
Search committee named for School of Art dean
Biophysical chemist Julian Sturtevant . . .
Memorial service scheduled for . . . Robert Abelson
Alumni magazine now reaches every Yale graduate in the U.S.
Campus Notes
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