Monash IVF and RHS begin non-invasive PGS trial

Australian listed companies Monash IVF and RHS (Reproductive Health Science) have partnered to develop an accurate way to test for chromosome number in embryos without biopsy.

Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is usually performed on a small number of cells taken from the developing embryo. The embryo releases DNA from its chromosomes into the culture media that the embryo is growing in, so rather than biopsying the embryo, the approach uses this free DNA in the culture media. The companies are now conducting a prospective pilot clinical trial of non-invasive PGS using this embryo culture media.

The culture media that IVF embryos are grown in is typically disposed of, but through protocols developed by Repromed, part of MVF, in conjunction with the Robinson Research Institute, the quality and quantity of DNA has been shown to be a viable template for PGS without the need for embryo biopsy.

PGS is used to identify embryos with the correct number of chromosomes, avoiding the transfer of non-viable embryos with the incorrect number of chromosomes. Embryos with the incorrect number of chromosomes typically lead to failed IVF transfers. By finding embryos with the correct number of chromosomes and selecting them for transfer, PGS can make IVF more efficient and therefore more successful.

Repromed has been developing its method for how and when to collect the culture media over the past 18 months under the leadership of Professor Michelle Lane, and chose to work with RHS on the final protocol due to “the performance of RHS product DOPlify, its ease of use, the ready protocol automation as well as the opportunity to work locally”. DOPlify is said to accurately copy small amounts of DNA so they can be analysed for genetic changes, such as additional or missing whole chromosomes in PGS.

The small clinical trial being conducted by Repromed Adelaide follows joint validation between RHS and Repromed comparing spent (used) culture media to results from matched embryo biopsy samples. Patient recruitment has already been finalised and the end point of the trial is a comparison of pregnancy rates between non-invasive PGS and standard embryo biopsy-based PGS. Results will be available later in the year.

By shifting away from embryo biopsy to using the spent culture media, PGS becomes non-invasive and the embryo that is transferred remains intact, RHS Managing Director Dr Michelle Fraser said.