Solving Challenges in Reproductive Health

Preliminary studies using animal models have demonstrated significant sustained effects on fetal growth and placental structural and functional development when the mother is treated with IGF-II in early to mid pregnancy which is a critical period in the development of the placenta.

IGF-II has also been shown to enhance blastocyst formation and quality in mice*. It is strongly suggested that this growth factor promotes the
implantation of embryos and thereby improves the successful formation of a viable placenta and the success of pregnancy.

It is known that the IVF procedure reduces and retards the expression of IGF-II in mouse embryos. Addition of IGF-II in conjunction with plasminogen to IVF culture media therefore carries the promise of improving pregnancy rates and postimplantation development, thus supporting single embryo transfer in IVF. Translation of this technology into a new media formulation for assisted reproduction techniques has potential to increase pregnancy rates in IVF and improve the health of the mother and her baby.

The media formulation has a combination of 3 factors normally found in the female reproductive tract in the immediate environment of the early
embryo but absent in standard IVF media.

"By including these factors in the media we more closely mimic the natural environment of the embryo and expect improved implantation and development of the placenta following embryo transfer to the uterus. When the placenta functions well the fetus can grow and develop to its full potential," Dr Roberts said.

However the IGF-II technology can also potentially benefit natural pregnancies. Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, IUGR and stillbirth affect up to 25% of pregnancies in western countries. Poor placental development and function is a major factor in these pregnancy complications, which are more common following assisted reproductive techniques. Therefore this new technology may be an important therapeutic in the future.

This innovative technology has been licensed to MediCult (a Danish company with a global ART focus). The company has entered into a partnership with Dr Roberts for the IGF-II project. Medicult is also working closely with other researchers in the Research Centre for Reproductive Health on innovative technologies to develop more effective ART methods.

New technology developed by the Research Centre For Reproductive Health (RCRH) may assist with pregnancy success rates during IVF. This technology also has the potential to ignificantly reduce the rate of preganancy complications experienced by 25% of women.