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F O R P H Y S I C I A N S – resources
Assisted Reproductive Technology
Future of ART
Preimplantation Diagnosis
The development of micromanipulation has allowed for biopsy of a 4- to 8-cell embryo for the detection of single-gene defects. Currently, screening for aneuploidy abnormalities, cystic fibrosis, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, hemophilia and Tay-Sachs is available in only a handful of centers in the United States.
GnRH Antagonists
New GnRH antagonists, which allow suppression of LH surges, have recently become available for clinical studies. GnRH antagonists immediately suppress pituitary gonadotropins by GnRH receptor competition and permit flexibility in the degree of pituitary-gonadal suppression. Antagonist treatment is required for only a few days when the LH surge is imminent; thus, patients usually begin subcutaneous administration on day 8 of the stimulation cycle. Preliminary date appears to be promising with pregnancy rates similar to and in some studies better than current rates using GnRH agonists. It is anticipated that GnRH antagonists will be available in the US market within 1 year.
References
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