Significant progress has been made over the last few decades in the field of fertility in order for patients to be able to have children of their own. However, one of the greatest challenges in reproductive medicine is pregnancy in women with slim chances of obtaining their own eggs. For example, women with premature ovarian failure (in other words, egg loss at a young age) or, quite simple, women over the age of 40.
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Over the last few years, progress in terms of freezing both embryos and oocytes has meant that embryo transfer can successfully be carried out during a cycle that does not need to be the ovarian stimulation cycle itself.
Such progress has led to new forms of ovarian stimulation that concentrate exclusively on retrieving an adequate number […]
Having a sufficient number of mature egg cells is one of the key steps to obtaining excellent results in a cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). In order to achieve this, the ovaries need to be stimulated and, contrary to what happens during a natural cycle, the ovaries need to simultaneously mature an appropriate number of eggs.
The most commonly used stimulation protocols are based on the use of doses of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These may or may not be administered along with other drugs and vary between 150 and 300 IU/day. The response will be somewhere between 7 and 15 follicles. […]
Behind our on-line consultation system, there is a team of trained personnel. The team is ready to help users and make them see that the concerns amongst people who are looking for an answer to their doubts or worries, are also our concerns. Instituto Bernabeu has a Personalised Counselling Unit. Its team of experts has been trained to clear up the doubts which people understandably have when they are thinking about beginning treatment, when they wish to compare opinions, when they are looking for help regarding how much treatment will cost or when they have gynaecological-related doubts about assisted reproduction. […]
Cryopreservation, or embryo freezing, is an essential part of courses of assisted reproduction treatment since it means that embryos can be preserved in order to be used at a later date and without the passing of time having a negative impact on their viability.
Embryos obtained as a result of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may be thawed for a number of reasons: […]
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland situated at the base of the brain. It is released from this gland into the bloodstream and plays an essential role with regards to the ovaries. Its purpose is to stimulate follicle growth and selection and it also plays a role in maturing the egg which will later be released during ovulation.
In cases of ovarian insufficiency, the pituitary gland attempts to compensate for this by increasing FSH secretion. This happens in a physiological manner during the menopause and, as a result, women going through this stage have FSH levels which are far above those in women of childbearing age.
If abnormally high levels of FSH (>10 lU/L) are detected at a young age, this can be a suggestion of low ovarian reserve which reduces the possibility of getting pregnant naturally. […]
A new, much more reliable, faster technique (results are obtained in 3 days) has been incorporated into our clinic and, since it is carried out directly in our laboratories, it has brought the price down to €50. The technique is carried out on a blood sample which can be taken at our clinics or a sample can be sent to us by courier.
Determining anti-Müllerian hormone levels in a woman’s blood helps us to evaluate ovarian reserve and, along with a transvaginal ultrasound used to carry out an antral follicle count, this provides us with information about her reproductive future and whether or not trying for a child is a matter of urgency.
It can also be used in order to personalise fertility treatment and to help predict how successful it is likely to be.
Cases of couples in clinics in which the female has impaired ovarian reserve are more and more common. A reduction in ovarian reserve of this kind might be expected in older women but not so in younger women, particularly when her menstrual cycles have not been irregular. […]
Embryo implantation is the least well known phase of reproduction within the field of reproductive medicine. This fact is of special relevance if we also take into account that the human embryo is not very efficient when compared to other closely-related species in the evolution timeline.
We currently know that pregnancy is based upon three basic pillars: the embryo, the endometrium and the tolerance of the mother’s immune system. Not only is it essential that all three function correctly, but there needs to be optimum interaction between them. We have already covered the role of the embryo and the immune system in detail. Therefore, we will now concentrate on the endometrium and, more specifically, on studying endometrial receptivity. […]
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential to reproduction. It is produced by the pituitary gland situated just below the brain (behind the palate) and is released into the bloodstream. The hormone regulates the ovaries and is involved in the processes dealing with the growth and selection of the follicle which will later release the egg during ovulation.
Fluctuations in FSH levels are responsible for menstrual cycles and also for the fact that only one egg is produced during each cycle. It is essential, therefore, that there is constant dialogue between the ovaries and the pituitary gland so that the latter can consistently produce the correct quantity of FSH for a normal cycle.
This permanent exchange means that, in cases of poor ovarian function, the pituitary gland will try to compensate for this situation by increasing FSH excretion levels. It is for this reason that FSH levels in women going through the menopause are 20 times greater than in women whose ovaries are functioning normally. Therefore, when the ovary does not respond correctly, FSH increases significantly and systematically. […]
Nowadays, all couples who wish to avoid passing on genetic disorders to their children can choose to do so through a Genetic Compatibility Test (GCT), also known as Prenatal Recessive Disorder Screening.
The Instituto Bernabeu GCT is a groundbreaking analysis that uses next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) through which we study 555 genetic mutations which cause over 600 autosomal recessive disorders in a simple blood sample.
Please see below the list of mutations analysed by the GCT we do at INSTITUTO BERNABEU:
The 613 recessive diseases detected by the Genetic Compatibility Test (GCT), from 1st of July 2020
The 600 recessive disorders detected by the Genetic Compatibility Test (GCT)
13 new recessive diseases detected by the Genetic Compatibility Test (GCT), from 1st of July 2020
GENE
LOCUS
DISEASE
OMIM
SERPINA1
14q32.13
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
613490
SPG7
16q24.3
Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 7
607259
OCA2
15q12
Oculocutaneous albinism type 2
203200
SLC26A4
7q22.3
Autosomal recessive non-syndromic sensorineural deafness type DFNB/Pendred syndrome
274600
CLCN1
7q34
Thomsen and Becker disease
160800
TYR
11q14.3
Oculocutaneous albinism type 1A
203100
CAPN3
15q15.1
Calpain-3-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R1
253600
CRB1
17p13.1
Leber congenital amaurosis
204000
GALNS
16q24.3
Mucopolysaccharidosis type 4A
253000
OTOF
2p23.3
Autosomal recessive non-syndromic sensorineural deafness type DFNB
601071
SAG
2q37.1
Retinitis pigmentosa 47
613758
TMPRSS3
21q22.3
Deafness, autosomal recessive 8/10
601072
TSHR
14q31.1
Hyperthyroidism
603373
The 600 recessive disorders detected by the Genetic Compatibility Test (GCT)
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