An innovative, real-time test of oocyte quality, applicable to assisted conception treatments, that does no harm to the oocyte itself.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION: Western researchers have developed an innovative, real-time test of oocyte quality, applicable to assisted conception treatments, that does no harm to the oocyte itself. The present invention comprises a methodology to test strength of gap junctional coupling among follicular cells as a surrogate measurement of oocyte health. The invention is based on findings by Western researchers, that gap junctional coupling among follicle cells is a determinant of oocyte quality in humans. Since the follicle cells can easily be detached from the oocyte and are routinely discarded during the assisted conception treatment, their analysis for coupling strength does not compromise the oocyte or the embryo that develops from it. We see the approach as a straightforward method that can be applied on a “real-time” basis, by the IVF laboratory staff to compare and pick the best quality oocytes to enhance the likelihood of success of assisted conception. By providing more certainty, there will be less need to transfer several fertilized oocytes, which is current practice and in many cases results in multiple pregnancies and has significant associated risk to the mother and her unborn babies.

BACKGROUND: Assisted conception treatments have become essential for combating the rising tide of infertility in developed countries, and have since 1978 allowed thousands of infertile couples to have children. However the success rate for assisted conception procedures is still only approximately 20-30%. The practice of transferring multiple embryos to a woman’s uterus is an approach to increasing the probability of success for the procedure. While this practice indeed results in better success rates, it is also associated with the significant risk of multiple pregnancies, which, in turn, are associated with complications that can include fetal growth restriction and premature birth. A reliable, safe and real-time methodology to determine oocyte health will help in predicting which oocytes are most likely to succeed and as a result, significantly reduce the number of embryos that need to be transferred.

POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES/USES:

• Real time, non-invasive methodology to reliably predict oocyte health
• No ethical issues with utilizing follicular cells for testing
• Reduces the need to transfer multiple embryos
• Reduces safety risks associated with multiple pregnancies
• Reduces healthcare costs associated with in vitro fertilization

US Provisional Application filed