IVF And AI Experts Link Up To Boost Sperm Success
(sz) Scientists at the University of Leeds, renowned leaders in the field of reproductive biology, have joined forces with JSR Genetics in a project that could improve embryo implantation rates - in pigs and eventually humans.
Pregnapause, a Techtran/IP Group funded spin-out company led by Dr Nicolas Orsi, Dr Nadia Gopichandran and Mr David Brooke have teamed up with Dr Grant Walling, JSR’s Director of Research and Genetics. The now seven-strong team commenced their collaboration in October 2007, after discovering valuable correlations between their two fields of research. Dr Orsi explains, “As part of the isolation procedure essential to both AI and IVF treatments, sperm is separated from seminal fluid and we believe that, following this, the incidence of embryo rejection may be higher. It seems that some components of seminal fluid are capable of suppressing the female’s immune system, enough to allow embryos to implant into the uterus, whilst still retaining the ability to fight infection. Our research focuses on finding the agents responsible. If we can isolate and supply them by other means we could create a more receptive environment in the uterus and improve implantation rates.”
Whilst the recipients of AI and IVF treatments are worlds apart, the techniques and potential problems are very similar, certainly in the initial stages. more…
From: »The PigSite«