Fertility experts identify genetic pattern in womb linked to IVF failure

Image Source

Source: Univercity of Southampton | Summary: A specific genetic pattern has been discovered in the womb that could predict whether or not IVF treatment is likely to be successful. Experts say that the discovery would help clinicians understand why IVF fails repeatedly in some women.

"Study co-lead Professor Nick Macklon, chair in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Southampton, said the discovery would help clinicians understand why IVF fails repeatedly in some women.

He said it could also lead to the development of a new test to help patients understand how likely they are to achieve a pregnancy before they embark on the treatment process -- and to guide others on whether or not they should continue even after a number of unsuccessful cycles.

"Many women undergo a number of IVF cycles without success despite having good quality embryos and, up to now, it has been unclear whether or not the lining of the womb may be the cause of that," explained Prof Macklon, medical director of Complete Fertility Centre Southampton, which is based at the city's Princess Anne Hospital and part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.

"We have now shown that an abnormal gene expression in the lining can be identified in many of these women and that a specific gene 'fingerprint', when present, is always associated with failure, which is very significant in aiding our understanding of IVF failure..."

Learn More >>