A simple test that detects faulty embryos will most likely to become a routine part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) fertility treatment, reports the Daily Mail.
Known as Chromosome Aneuploidy Screening, the test screens embryos for chromosome abnormalities. Any that are faulty are discarded, and only those with the best chance of developing into a healthy fetus are implanted in the womb.
British trials have shown that up to 88 per cent of women who received the testing gave birth, which is more than triple the unscreened IVF rate, where only 20 to 30 per cent of women give birth.
The new technique involves testing a sample of the embryo at five days old and checking each of its 23 pairs of chromosomes. Only the healthiest single embryo is implanted.
Researchers believe that not only does the test improve the IVF success rate, but it will also saves millions of dollars in medical costs associated with multiple IVF attempts—often resulting in multiple births or miscarriages.
Researchers are so pleased with the results of this new test that they believe it will be in wide use within two or three years.