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Dr. Herbert interviewed about possible new fertility treatment

was recently interviewed about a new technique that may help some infertile women with primary ovarian insufficiency have a baby of their own. The technique is known as "in vitro activation” (IVA). The report, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, described several basic science studies in mice as well as a series of 27 women treated by the technique in Japan.

According to the article the procedure involves laparoscopic removal of either a piece of or the entire ovary; slicing the ovarian tissue into small cubes; incubating the cubes in a cell stimulating media; and laparoscopically regrafting these cubes into the pelvis of the patient. The individuals who subsequently demonstrate growth of the follicles (eggs) undergo FSH stimulation and an in vitro fertilization treatment cycle. A single baby has been born using this approach.

In the article, Dr. Herbert said, “This group of women has a reduced number of follicles, but they still have them. The researchers are trying to rescue those follicles and the eggs they contain. Using traditional techniques these women often do not respond to ovary stimulating medications and, therefore, are faced with using an egg donor as their only option. IVA may provide some of these women with an opportunity to still access and use their own eggs for a pregnancy.”

He added there are still many hurdles to overcome, and assessment of the egg quality from these procedures will be important to ascertain.

Read the full article here to learn more about IVA and the study.

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