New technology increases pregnancy chances by 20%
Vitalab, a leading fertility clinic in South Africa, has launched the embryoscope, which internationally has been proven to increase the chances of having an in vitro baby by more than 20%. An advanced incubator, it allows for minute-by-minute observation of an embryo from the moment it is fertilised to the point when it is transferred to a hopeful mom's uterus.
"Our commitment has always been to combine the latest techniques with the highest level of patient care. The embryoscope allows us to achieve this and more," says the company's Dr Merwyn Jacobson.
"The embryoscope allows us to gather very specific information about embryos without having to remove them daily from the incubator to observe their progress. Continuous images of the embryos are captured as a video, which means we can monitor the embryos constantly and capture any new information about their growth. Based on this data, we can select embryos which are more likely to implant successfully."
Benefits
- It improves embryo selection: Experts have learned that when embryos feature optimal levels of cell division, they have more than a 20% increased chance of implanting. Embryologists can now make decisions based on the actual condition of the embryo and where it is in the process of development
- It improves embryo culture and incubator conditions: incubators feature the very best gas and temperature conditions for embryos to develop. Before the embryoscope, the embryos would have to be removed daily for a few minutes from this perfect environment to assess their progress. This would cause stress to the embryo by reducing its temperature and changing the acidity of the environment. Now that the embryos can be assessed from inside the incubator, the embryos remains in an undisturbed condition resulting in higher pregnancy rates
- It gives fertility specialists, embryologists and parents-to-be more information about the embryos: The duration of each cell division can now be measured and critical observations about the embryos can be confirmed
- It provides a record on film of the beginning of the future baby's life: The embryoscope provides a record in pictures and videos of the very beginning of a future baby's life. This pioneering technique allows embryo cell division to be viewed on a monitor in real time, capturing moments from the beginning of life.
Drs Jacobson, Gobetz and Volschenk are registered reproduction medicine specialists with the South African Medical and Dental Council and have a combined experience in excess of 60 years in evaluating and treating infertile couples. It is reportedly the first South African fertility clinic to receive ISO 15189 accreditation.
