Lawrence B. Werlin Selected to Present New Study at
Pacific Coast Reproductive Society’s Annual Conference
New Study Targets Early Identification of Viability for Embryo
Transfer in Patients with High-Risk For Aneuploidy

IRVINE, Calif.—February 20, 2007— At the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society’s (PCRS) Annual Conference, Dr. Lawrence B. Werlin of Coastal Fertility Medical Center will present groundbreaking discoveries from his research on the relationship between Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and embryo viability.  The conference, April 18 to 22 in Rancho Mirage, Calif., brings together leaders in the field of reproductive medicine throughout North America and abroad.

PGD is a therapeutic and genetic testing tool that allows for the analysis and transfer of healthy embryos back to the uterus. In Werlin’s study, 75 patients undergoing PGD treatment were retrospectively reviewed to determine if embryos obtained from second day intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), single pronucleus and no pronuclei exhibited characteristics of normality and viability for transfer. Each of the patients had undergone in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI with PGD treatment due to advanced maternal age, recurrent pregnancy loss, two or more failed cycles of IVF or severe male factor. Each of these is an indicator of increased risk for aneuploidy, an abnormal condition associated with extra or missing chromosomes. Aneuploidy can lead to miscarriages.

“PGD enables the identification of abnormal embryos in patients with high-risk for aneuploidy,” explained Werlin. “The benefit to our patients is that we are singling out and transferring embryos with greater viability and enhancing the potential for successful outcomes (pregnancy).”

Results of the study demonstrated that in patients with high risk for aneuploidy, two-thirds of embryos were found to be abnormal and consequently unviable for embryo transfer. Likewise, second day intracytoplasmic sperm injection in these same high risk patients failed to yield chromosomally normal embryos; suggesting that the technique of second day ICSI should not be employed with patients with high risk. Furthermore, in patients with single pronucleus and no pronuclei appropriately-cleaved embryos, the rate of aneuploidy was high enough to label the embryos as abnormal from the outset.

“By studying the results of PGD for aneuploidy, we create opportunities to discover what works and what doesn’t work for producing healthy live birth outcomes for infertile couples,” said Werlin. “This is our ultimate goal.”

Arrange interviews with Dr. Lawrence Werlin by calling (714) 573-0899 x25