A new revolutionary non-invasive embryo screening test will reduce miscarriages 
and the time it takes to achieve a healthy live birth for the one-in-six 
Australian couples affected by infertility.

In a world-first scientific breakthrough, Australia's leading fertility 
scientists have developed an embryo DNA screening test that is non-invasive and 
will be available to more patients at a lower cost.

The existing biopsy technique – the standard across the world – can only be 
used on the strongest embryos, meaning many embryos are never DNA tested. 
Embryos that do not contain the correct amount of chromosome pairs often result 
in miscarriage or a child born with a genetic abnormality. That risk increases 
rapidly when a woman gets older. Genetic testing allows those embryos to be 
identified before they are transferred back to the womb.

It's a significant step forward in making IVF genetic testing more widely 
available.

Monash IVF Group Medical Director Luk Rombauts said it's an exciting 
development for patients – particularly those at a higher risk of miscarriage 
or failed pregnancy.

"This has long been the holy grail for genetic testing as many embryos were not 
strong enough for a biopsy," says Professor Rombauts.

"The current practice of pre-implantation genetic screening of embryos has seen 
improvements in pregnancy rates, but we felt there was a better way of 
screening that could be applied to more embryos."

"Older patients who would benefit the most were missing out because most or all 
of their embryos were not suitable for the embryo biopsy – with this new 
breakthrough these embryos can be screened, improving their chance of 
successful pregnancy."

The new test – developed by Monash IVF Group – is non-invasive, allowing 
clinicians to perform the screening on embryos that were previously assessed as 
not strong enough for biopsy, but may still result in a healthy baby.

Professor Rombauts said the key advantages of the new test are that it can be 
performed on more embryos for those patients that really need it, at a lower 
cost and without the need for an invasive surgical embryo biopsy.

Monash IVF Group scientists found that as the embryo cells grow and divide, 
they secrete DNA into the culture medium in which they are growing. This sample 
can then be tested for abnormalities in chromosomes.

"Without IVF many Australian families would simply not exist," says Professor 
Michelle Lane, who led the development of the test.

"But for some it can be a lengthy and emotional journey."

"This is a fantastic outcome for reproductive research in Australia which is 
set to help more people in Australia become parents for the first time."

"Monash IVF Group created Australia's first IVF pregnancy and will now make 
genetic testing more accessible to many Australians with a test that will help 
IVF patients achieve the birth of a healthy baby more quickly."

The AU$495 test is available from today. It has been validated over two years 
via two clinical trials. Learn more about this test at www.monashivf.com
.
About Monash IVF Group
Monash IVF Group is a leading provider of fertility care, specialist women's 
imaging and diagnostic services in Australia and Malaysia.  The Group continues 
to invest a significant amount of money into research and is a driving force in 
the development of assisted reproductive technologies. Monash IVF Group has 
many Australian and world firsts since the early work of our pioneers who 
achieved the first IVF pregnancy in the world in 1973.  Today a Monash IVF baby 
is born every two and a half hours. Monash IVF Group – Helping to bring life to 
the world.

SOURCE: Monash IVF