On the occasion of International Infertility Day experts take a step forward in assisted reproduction.  

• Genetic matching increases chances of having a healthy child 

• The Clinic performs the Gene Profile panel, designed by Sistemas Genómicos, studying more than 32 thousands mutations  

Valencia 4th June 2016 – The incidence of genetic diseases in births is around a 1%, according to the WHO and it can be minimized “performing a genetic study to the future parents” as stated by Dr. Carmen Calatayud, co-director at CREA (Assisted Reproduction Centre in Valencia). Preconception Genetic Diagnosis testings study a variable number of diseases depending on each testing. What is making the difference is the thoroughness through which each disease is studied, that is, the level of mutations detection. At CREA Gene Profile panel is performed, designed by Sistemas Genómicos, studying 32.749 mutations in 320 genes of 345 diseases, chosen for their prevalence and severity. “It’s the panel with the higher number of mutations studied and analyzed in depth” Dr. Calatayud points out. 

 

The point is, as highlighted by Dr. Calatayud on the occasion of the International Infertility Day, over the years and with the progresses of techniques, the aim of assisted reproduction has been evolving, “we started by improving gestation rate, then we passed to avoid multiple gestations and nowadays our aim is to achieve a healthy baby”. 

A good genetic matching test allows knowing the mutations of each member of the couple and the risk of transmission to their descendants. With this information the couple receives genetic counseling to try to achieve a natural pregnancy or, on the other hand, they are advised to perform an assisted reproduction procedure that allows to study the embryos in laboratory and to implant only the one without the disease (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis), thus improving the chance to have a genetically healthy baby.   

Each person is carrier of between three and five recessive genetic mutations – as pointed out by Dr. – and some of these are especially frequent, such as the one related to cystic fibrosis (present in one out of 25 people)  or spinal muscular atrophy (one out of 50). Being a carrier doesn’t imply to suffer from the disease, neither to present any symptoms, nor for any symptoms to appear in some relative.  However, should both members of the couple have the same gene’s alteration there is a 25% risk that their children suffer from a very serious disease”. 

Genetic matching or pairing is indicated for all those patients with family history of genetic disease, for any couple with reproductive project willing to know the genetic risk of transmitting diseases to their descendants with the aim of protecting them, and for those couples requiring donor’s gametes (oocytes and/or sperm) to select the best donor/s to avoid transmission of any genetic disease. In the latter case, test is performed to the couple’s member providing his gametes and to the donor. 

POINT OF REFERENCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INFERTILITY FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES  

CREA has been a point of reference in reproductive medicine for the last 21 years. Led by the best professional pioneers in this field, Crea offers the best results in the treatment of infertility thanks to the most updated techniques. 

The key to success is in the individualized treatment that Crea offers to its patients by performing a correct diagnosis through the study of both members of the couple, carrying out the most adequate, simple and effective treatment in each case.  

Crea’s comprehensive programme of continuous quality control and strive for excellence in quality care are certified. It has been the first centre in Spain to obtain ISO 9001 Quality Certification and, recently, it has been certified with the new standard for Reproduction Laboratory UNE-179007, being the first centre in the Valencian Community in obtaining it.  CREA counts on one of the most prestigious external audit worldwide, carried out by Doctor David Mortimer, president of Oozoa Biomedical, certifying CREA’s excellence on an international level. Moreover, CREA is founding member of Anacer’s group (National Association of Assisted Reproduction Clinics).  

The Clinic that is treating national and also international patients, counts on one of the most modern embryo Laboratory in Europe, equipped with incubators working at 5% of O2, the most similar conditions of the maternal uterus, allowing to improve the embryo development.   CREA stands up for the blastocyst colture, as it enables a better embryos selection and the possibility of performing single embryo transfer, without affecting pregnancy chances and avoiding multiple gestations. Likewise, the Clinic offers the most updated techniques such as Genetic Diagnosis through CGHa to mitigate the age’s effect on both pregnancy and miscarriages rates, as well as on oocytes and embryos vitrification. Its own lines of research brought Crea into prominence with regard to implantation failure after previous assisted reproduction treatments. CREA is point of reference in the andrological study and treatment of male sterility, as well as in the treatment of cellular oxidation’s effect that might affect both the sperm DNA integrity and the oocytes of women with poor ovarian reserve.