Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York Presents Ground Breaking Research at ASRM's 74th Annual Meeting

DENVER, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of Manhattan-based fertility center Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (RMA of New York) present 41 scientific abstracts at the 74th annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in Denver, Colorado. Study topics range from access to care, genomic and personalized medicine, understanding single cell mitochondrial gene expression and early embryo transcription networks, to using big data to improve IVF success rates and understanding the declining sperm count in the United States.

"The team at RMA of New York is honored to be recognized by ASRM for our scientific and clinical contributions.  We are committed to sharing our research findings and collaborating with our peers to improve clinical decision-making and to enhance patient outcomes," stated Dr. Alan B. Copperman, Co-Director of RMA of NY and Vice Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

In a pioneering study, over 20,500 protein-coding transcripts were evaluated over the course of human embryo development. The goal was to characterize differential gene expression pathways that drive human cleavage-to-blastocyst transformation. In an oral presentation, Dr. Lucky Sekhon of RMA of NY informs that an increase in transcriptional activity and upregulation of genes mediating mitochondrial function plays a central role in compaction prior to blastulation. The molecular research study received the prestigious Society of Reproductive Biologist & Technologies Basic Science Award.  

In another award winning RMA of NY study, the paternal contribution to embryo development was evaluated. Nearly 65,000 embryos created by couples suffering with or without male factor infertility were analyzed to understand if embryo quality (as measured by trophectoderm morphologic grade) is affected by sperm quality. In an oral presentation, Dr. Taraneh Nazem of RMA of NY confirms that trophectoderm grade is not associated with sperm analysis parameters, even in couples treated for severe male factor infertility. While the presence of the paternal genome is essential for oocyte fertilization, quantitative/qualitative deficiencies in semen quality do not impede the initiation and process of optimal embryo development. The study received the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Corporate Member Council In-training Award.

A third study reviews the clinical utility of extended embryo culture past Day 5/6. In an oral presentation, Dr. Carlos Hernandez-Nieto shares the clinical outcome of more than 1,200 embryos cultured to Day 7 of development. Although embryos cultured to Day 7 were predisposed to having a higher rate of aneuploidy, those embryos found to be euploid were deemed suitable for transfer and supported a successful pregnancy outcome. While Day 5/6 euploid embryo selection should be the first-line approach during any treatment cycle, patients requiring extended culture to Day 7 can be comforted in knowing that these embryos are also clinically viable. 

Dr. Copperman added, "The reproductive journey is different now than it was 20 years ago, 10 years ago, and will be months from now. By using new molecular tools to provide more detailed multi-dimensional insight into the genome, and accessing machine learning and artificial intelligence to harness the big data created, we aim to improve our understanding of basic embryo biology and ultimately to improve outcomes for our patients. We are proud to contribute to science, and look forward to participating in the advancement of the field of reproductive medicine for years to come."

About Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, LLP
Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York (RMA of New York) is widely recognized as a global leader in state-of-the-art reproductive medicine. Led by an integrated team of doctors and scientists with extensive reproductive endocrinology, fertility and urology experience and training, RMA of New York consistently reports IVF success rates to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is internationally recognized for achieving high success rates in the treatment of infertility. RMA of New York maximizes access to care by helping patients explore all insurance coverage and financing options available for treatment. RMA of New York is sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, women choosing single parent motherhood, and women pursuing fertility preservation for elective indications as well as those in need of oncofertility services. Headquartered in midtown Manhattan, RMA of New York has six patient care facilities throughout New York, including three facilities in Manhattan, as well as in Brooklyn, Long Island, Westchester, and abroad in Mexico City. For more information, please visit www.rmany.com.

Media Contact: 
Amanda Wolfe
Director of Marketing
[email protected] 
212-756-5777

SOURCE Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York

Related Links

http://www.rmany.com