2006-10-1009-002.

txt 10/9/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Las Vegas Infertility Clinic Develops Non-Invasive Embryo Testing to Improve

IVF Success Rates and Reduce Triplet Pregnancies
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Oct. 9, 2006 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- As a global leader in
the field of infertility treatment and In Vitro Fertilization, the Sher
Institute for Reproductive Medicine(SM)- Las Vegas (SIRM(TM)-LV), has been
instrumental in developing new techniques in the field of reproductive
medicine that continue to increase success rates for infertile couples while
reducing the incidence of high-order multiple pregnancies (triplets or
greater).
*(PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediadesk/1006-SherNV-bluecell_72dpi.jpg)

*(Photo Caption: Non-invasive embryo testing to improve IVF success rates.)

Using an evaluation system termed the Graduated Embryo Score (GES), Sher
Institute physicians have been able to predict at an earlier stage of
development which embryos are most likely to result in a pregnancy. This
allows the embryos to be transferred to the woman's uterus for implantation
after just 3 days of development with the same success rate as embryos that
are allowed to develop in the lab until the 5th day or "blastocyst" stage. The
GES system was developed and tested by SIRM physicians including Las Vegas
Medical Director Jeffrey Fisch, M.D. and relies on a system of visual or
"morphological" assessments. While this has improved outcomes for IVF, many
embryos that appear normal still do not result in a baby.

The search to better identify genetically normal embryos has led to another
SIRM breakthrough: a non-invasive procedure that tests for levels of a
specific protein known as Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (sHLA-G). This
protein is secreted by embryos in the early stages of development. Its purpose
is to prevent immunologic rejection of the embryo by the mother's body by
signaling the maternal immune system that the pregnancy is not a threat to her
health. Those embryos that secrete certain levels of the protein are more
likely to develop into viable pregnancies. The protein is easily obtained by
SIRM embryologists without damaging the embryo in any way.

SIRM physicians have published several studies evaluating the role of sHLA-G
on IVF outcome. Recent data presented in July 2006 at the 4th international
conference on HLA-G in Paris France by SIRM-Las Vegas Medical Director,
Jeffrey Fisch, M.D., demonstrated that embryos with good GES scores which also
expressed sHLA-G within a narrow range were more likely to result in a viable
pregnancy than those with sHLA-G levels outside the range or with low GES.
Among women less than age 37 years, transferring two GES-positive, sHLA-G-
positive embryos resulted in a 62% ongoing gestation rate with a twin rate of
46%. Among women 38-42 with two GES-positive, sHLA-G-positive embryos, the
pregnancy rate was 30% with a 66% twin rate.

"By combining a morphologic evaluation with a biochemical assessment of embryo

competency, the pregnancy rate was significantly higher than in cases using
visual assessment only," said Dr. Fisch. "The success rates are so high using
this approach that we are now recommending elective single embryo transfer in
most women under 38. Even women 38-42 need to be cautious in how many embryos
they put back, because the risk of multiple gestation is real."

These breakthroughs hold the potential of a major improvement in IVF success

rates for practices using them. The current national average delivery rate is
35-40% per embryo transfer in women under 38.

This research is currently in press for the medical journal Fertility and
Sterility and should be in print by the end of the year. The technology is
available exclusively though SIRM for treating patients now.
About SIRM

1
2006-10-1009-002.txt 10/9/2006

The Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine (SIRM) are a network of

independently owned IVF centers that operate under a shared set of practice
standards and a centralized management system. SIRM(TM) physicians have been
influential in the development of numerous breakthroughs in the field of
reproductive medicine. SIRM offices are located in Las Vegas, Los Angeles,
Orange County, Sacramento, Dallas, St. Louis, Central Illinois, New Jersey and
New York.
Further information about the Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine can be
found on the SIRM website at http://www.haveababy.com.

Send2Press(R) is the originating wire service for this story.

NEWS SOURCE: Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine - Las Vegas

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT(S):

[ not for publication or the public ]

Jeffrey Fisch, M.D., of SIRM - Las Vegas, Phone: +1-702-892-9696 or

+1-866-317-2229, jfisch @ sherinstitute.com

/END/
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October 2006 // Press Release / S-ST/NV / meta = MEDICAL