/EINPresswire.com/ -- VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - January 25, 2018) - For the one-in-six BC couples struggling with the financial and emotional burden of infertility, a new fertility test -called an endometrial receptivity array (ERA) -- may increase the odds for success. Olive Fertility Centre in Vancouver, BC has recently published a study in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics entitled The role of the endometrial receptivity array (ERA) in patients who have failed euploid embryo transfers http://rdcu.be/Eu0C

The aim of the study was to investigate if the window of endometrial receptivity could be identified in women undergoing IVF (in vitro fertilization) with a history of implantation failure, and whether it was possible to improve implantation and pregnancy outcomes in these patients with individualized treatment protocols.

According to researcher Dr Gary Nakhuda, implantation is an intricate process that requires communication between a healthy embryo and a receptive endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Recent advancements in embryo testing called CCS (comprehensive chromosome screening) have made it possible to identify chromosomally healthy (euploid) embryos for transfer during an IVF procedure. This has resulted in an increase in IVF implantation and pregnancy rates, as the majority of miscarriages are due to abnormal (aueploid) embryos. However, there are still a percentage of apparently "normal" embryos which fail to implant, suggesting that there are other factors at play, including the time that the endometrium or lining of the uterus is receptive to the embryo implanting.

Endometrial receptivity is characterised by a time sensitive window for implantation (WOI), however the WOI may vary. In assisted reproduction the endometrium is primed by prescribing a combination of estrogen and progesterone and then the timing for the WOI is monitored by ultrasound and blood hormone levels.

According to Dr Nakhuda, "This method of monitoring is imprecise and is subject to the interpretation of both the patient and physician. A new test called an endometrial receptivity array (ERA) is an objective molecular dating method that allows us to identity more precisely when the endometrium is receptive. This in turn allows us to create an individualized treatment protocol or pET for each patient."

The study found that for patients receiving pET "implantation and ongoing pregnancy rates were higher (73.7 vs. 54.2% and 63.2 vs. 41.7%, respectively) compared to patients without pET." It also found that and that using "a modified progesterone protocol may improve the outcomes of subsequent euploid frozen embryo transfers."

"We are constantly searching for ways to improve pregnancy success rates while maintaining the health of the mother and baby," says Dr Nakhuda ". At Olive we strive to offer the best patient centred care with the highest pregnancy and live birth rate possible. This technology has the potential to allow us to further individualize our treatment protocols and achieve the best outcomes for our patients."

About Olive Fertility Centre

Located in Vancouver, BC, Olive Fertility Centre is one of Western Canada's largest IVF and prenatal diagnosis centres. With an advanced IVF lab, and innovative programs that include the EmbryoScope, specialized genetic testing, egg freezing, and prenatal NIPT testing, Olive Fertility (olivefertility.com) provides comprehensive fertility care to infertile couples, single women, and same-sex couples.