Researchers have identified the key biomarkers that indicate the most appropriate time to implant a fertilized embryo via in vitro fertilization treatment.
Based on these findings, researchers from the University of Otago, Christchurch are developing a diagnostic test that can predict the success of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Dr. Gloria Evans, Christchurch obstetrics and gynecology researcher and colleagues initiated to examine the factors that influenced the success of an IVF treatment.
Evans discovered the unfavorable state of a woman's uterus to accept a fertilized embryo often leading to an IVF failure.
"The main problem at present is there is a lack of understanding of events at the time the embryo is implanted into the uterus (the window of implantation)," researchers said in a news release.
Studies were going on from a long time to develop a test that can give an accurate idea about the state of uterus.
"This test will mean that clinicians may be able to determine the best time in the fertility cycle to implant embryos giving women a much better chance of achieving pregnancy" Evans and colleagues said. "If these very encouraging results are supported in this expanded study it would mean a big step forward in assisting couples who are going through the IVF process to try to have a child."
After identifying the most favorable time, the researchers are now planning to re-confirm their findings on a larger sample of women.
Findings of the study have been published in the international journal Fertility and Sterility.
IVF belongs to one of the artificial methods called Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) adopted by people who experience difficulties to conceive naturally. Nearly one percent of annual live births in the US belong to IVF treatment.
Research has been on for a long time to improve the success of IVF treatment. Earlier, in April new equipment called Embryoscope was introduced by Care, one of UK's leading fertility specialists. Embryoscope helps doctors observe the complete process involved in the development of the fertilized eggs without disturbing it and later to select the best embryo for placing in the womb.
Another study presented at the British Science Festival found the embryos stored and frozen for some time before implanting more effective in ensuring the success of the IVF treatment than using fresh embryos.
