Press Releases
6/6/04: Renowned Fertility Specialist Lends Expertise to Patients Nationwide
Via Live Educational Teleconference
Morristown, NJ, May 6, 2004 - Richard Scott, MD, HCLD, Medical Director, Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA), in association with Serono, Inc., will lead a free educational teleconference to answer pre-submitted infertility questions and concerns and provide updates on treatment options available to patients. This Fertility LifelinesTM teleconference entitled, Infertility Treatment: Getting Your Questions Answered, will be conducted live via telephone on May 10, 2004, from 8:00 PM until 9:00 PM EST.
Dr. Scott's teleconference marks the launch of Serono, Inc.'s Fertility Lifelines", a free educational service that offers customized information and support to people with fertility health concerns, including the estimated 6 million Americans who suffer from infertility.
"It is my pleasure to be a part of this important initiative to provide men and women affected by infertility with information relevant to their needs," Dr. Scott stated. "The teleconference is a wonderful opportunity allowing wide access to present a diverse population with feasible alternatives that encourage family building," he added.
Couples and individuals interested in participating are asked to register through Fertility Lifelines™ by dialing toll-free 1-866-LETS-TRY (1-866-538-7879). To submit questions, log on to www.seronofertility.com. Opportunities to register and to submit questions are available now until May 9, 2004.
Founded by Paul A. Bergh, MD, Michael R. Drews, MD, and Richard T. Scott Jr., MD, HCLD, Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA), is on the forefront of infertility research and technologies, offering a full spectrum of the most advanced treatments available today. With these technologies and their continued dedication to excellence in patient care, the RMA team is helping thousands of infertile couples achieve their dream of conceiving a baby. RMA's highly acclaimed clinical and embryology teams consistently produce pregnancy rates that are among the highest in the country. For more information call (973) 971-4600 or visit www.rmanj.com.
3/11/03: Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey Initiates Study of New Technique to Increase Chances of Successful Pregnancy in IVF
Morristown, NJ, March 11, 2004 Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey (RMA NJ), a leading fertility center recognized worldwide for its scientific achievements, is beginning a clinical study to test a new technique that may improve pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study also aims to reduce miscarriages and inherited disorders in offspring.
"This study is one of the first to combine two recent advances in infertility treatment -- preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD, and blastocyst transfer -- to increase the chances of successful pregnancy with low multiple births, using the fewest, healthiest embryos," said Richard Scott, MD, a nationally esteemed reproductive endocrinologist, who pioneered and directs the study at RMA NJ. "If results are favorable, we will have discovered an important advance in IVF treatment that will give couples a greater chance to achieve parenthood with the delivery of a genetically healthy baby."
In the RMA NJ randomized study, 120 patients under age 38 will undergo IVF to produce multiple eggs, using a fertility medication known as Bravelle(R)(urofollitropin for injection, USP), a highly purified, human-derived follicle-stimulating hormone. The resulting eggs will be collected in a traditional manner and then fertilized in the lab.
After three days in the lab, the resulting embryos will be tested with a new state-of-the-art technology, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which tests each embryo for genetic disorders. PGD involves removing one of the approximately eight cells in each embryo and testing it for abnormalities. Only embryos determined to be free of genetic abnormalities are replaced in the uterus.
Traditionally, without PGD, a limited number of embryos that appear normal are transferred to the uterus on day three or five following fertilization. In the RMA NJ study, the 120 patients will be randomized into two groups. One group will receive embryos that have been grown in the lab for five days to a "blastocyst" stage. "Blastocyst" is a longer period of development in a unique culture media that provides nutrients for cell development and sustains embryo growth. Only the strongest, most robust embryos survive to this point, so that fewer but stronger embryos are transferred back to the uterus. The second group will use PGD in combination with blastocyst transfer on day five. In both groups, only one or two embryos will be transferred into the uterus.
"By combining the advantages of genetic diagnosis and extended blastocyst culture, only those embryos that are most likely to be genetically normal and that have shown the greatest potential for ongoing development will be transferred," said Dr. Scott. "This adds valuable insight into which embryos truly possess the potential to become a healthy baby, and allows only one or two embryos to be transferred. The technique maintains high pregnancy rates while limiting the multiple pregnancy rate."
About IVF
IVF is a treatment for infertility, where eggs obtained from the woman are fertilized with the partner's sperm in the laboratory. The resulting embryos may be transferred to the uterus where they may implant, resulting in a pregnancy.
About Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), PGD is a technique that can be used during IVF to test embryos for genetic disorders prior to their transfer to the uterus. PGD makes it possible for couples or individuals with serious inherited disorders to decrease the risk of having a child who is affected by the same problem. It involves removing a single cell from each embryo under microscopic guidance and analyzing it for the presence of genetic disorders. A diagnosis is obtained within a day or so of the test, and only the unaffected embryos are replaced in the uterus. This technique is controversial. At present, PGD is only offered in a few centers, usually under the supervision of an institutional ethics review board, but its use may become more widespread in the near future.
Richard T. Scott, Jr., MD
Dr. Richard Scott, a reproductive endocrinologist, is also board certified as an embryologist, andrologist and high complexity clinical laboratory director. He completed his fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at the Jones Institute in Norfolk, VA, after receiving his MD degree from the University of Virginia Medical School. He was Clinical Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology Fellowship Program at the National Institutes of Health, and founded the first IVF program in the federal government. Dr.Scott has received numerous awards for excellence in clinical and laboratory research, and frequently appears on national television.
About Reproductive Medicine Associates
Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey is a leading, multi-location fertility center run by one of the most respected teams of fertility specialists in the nation. The specialists have received national and international recognition and awards for their contributions toward the advancement of reproductive medicine. For more information about the center or the study, please contact the Clinical Research Coordinator at 973-656-2841.
