Olive Fertility Centre co-director, Dr. Gary Nakhuda, co-authored a groundbreaking study highlighting the advances and limitations in noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A).

VANCOUVER, BC, July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dr. Gary Nakhuda, MD, co-director Olive Fertility Centre, and his team have made a significant leap in the field of reproductive medicine with their groundbreaking study highlighting the advances and limitations in noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A) recently published in the prestigious journal Fertility & Sterility. "We are honoured that our paper about the NICEST (Noninvasive Chromosomal Embryo Screening Trial) study was published in Fertility & Sterility and recognized as a Seminal Contribution to the field," says Dr. Nakhuda.

The study involved 120 patients under the age of 35 undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and focused on analyzing the positive predictive value and false positive risk of detecting chromosomal abnormalities using niPGT-A. Currently, PGT-A is the standard method for detecting chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. However, it requires an invasive biopsy of the embryo, which is labor-intensive and demands the expertise of highly skilled embryologists.

In contrast, niPGT-A utilizes DNA secreted by the embryo into the culture media during its growth. Typically discarded after the embryos have matured, this "spent" culture media contains minuscule amounts of DNA that can be isolated and amplified. The noninvasive approach offers several advantages over conventional PGT-A. Besides eliminating the risk to the embryo, niPGT-A could potentially make PGT-A more accessible by reducing the reliance on highly skilled embryologists, thereby lowering costs. However, the technique's current limitations, primarily related to obtaining reliable samples due to the small amount of DNA available, were acknowledged in the study.

Study Highlights: Promising Results and Key Challenges

• Positive Predictive Value: The study reported a 94.4%-100% positive predictive value for detecting aneuploidy using niPGT-A, indicating a high level of accuracy in identifying nonviable embryos with whole chromosome abnormalities.
• Clinical Outcomes: Embryos categorized as having "uncertain reproductive potential" showed a sustained implantation rate of 77.8%, similar to those without detected abnormalities. This suggests that some embryos deemed abnormal by standard criteria may still have the potential for successful implantation.
• Technological Limitations: Despite its promise, niPGT-A faces significant challenges. A total of 22.5% of samples had undetermined or uncertain results, highlighting the need for further refinement of the technology.

The editorial accompanying the study praised Dr. Nakhuda and his team for their meticulous work. "Nakhuda et al.'s non-selection study is a major step forward in validating niPGT-A and providing clinical information regarding its technological limitations," the editorial stated, emphasizing the importance of cautious optimism. "We commend the investigators for their hard work in working to validate niPGT-A and taking great care to look before we leap," the editorial continued, highlighting the careful balance required in adopting new technologies in reproductive medicine to ensure both effectiveness and safety for patients.

Dr. Nakhuda's study provides a foundation for future research and development in niPGT-A. By identifying current limitations and areas for improvement, the study paves the way for further validation and optimization of this noninvasive technique. Future studies with larger sample sizes and diverse patient populations will be essential in determining the broader applicability of niPGT-A. Dr. Nakhuda and his team are already planning a follow-up study to further validate niPGT-A, aiming to finalize its validation and pave the way for its future clinical application.

"Our research was significant since it was the first to document the predictive values of noninvasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) in a transparent and blinded fashion," says Dr. Nakhuda. "We still have work to do but are confident that niPGT-A will change the paradigm of embryo screening in the near future."

About Olive Fertility Centre:

Olive Fertility Centre olivefertility.com is one Canada's leading fertility centres with clinics in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, and Kelowna. We offer an award-winning IVF lab, personal care teams, and innovative programs including specialized genetic testing, egg freezing, and prenatal NIPT testing.

Media Contact
Mairi Campbell, Olive Fertility Centre, 1 778-885-5300, mairi.campbell@telus.net, https://www.olivefertility.com/

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SOURCE Olive Fertility Centre