Lucknow scientist designs a kit to identify genetically fit sperms for IVF - Hindustan Times
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Lucknow scientist designs a kit to identify genetically fit sperms for IVF

Hindustan Times, Lucknow | ByChandan Kumar
Mar 20, 2019 08:29 AM IST

“The single-use kit, which will hit the market by mid- 2020, can help in identification of epigenetic markers on the DNA of the sperm. Through these markers, we can establish whether the DNA is genetically fit or not,” said Dr Rajender Singh.

In what could prove to be a significant breakthrough in In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) technique, a scientist associated with Lucknow-based Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) has come up with a kit capable of identifying a genetically fit sperms.

Dr Rajender Singh(HT)
Dr Rajender Singh(HT)

“The single-use kit, which will hit the market by mid-2020, can help in identification of epigenetic markers on the DNA of the sperm. Through these markers, we can establish whether the DNA is genetically fit or not,” said Dr Rajender Singh, who along with his team is credited with the innovation.

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“Through the kit, doctors can now easily select the best sperms for fertilization, and reject others,” said Singh, while claiming that cost of genetic screening could come to around Rs 7,000.

“It has been observed that people born from IVF are more susceptible to certain disorders than those born through natural fertilization. These disorders — related with intellect or cardiovascular issues —can easily be avoided by selecting better quality sperms before fertilization,” said Singh, who was recently awarded the Yuva Vigyan Ratna award for his work by the government of Haryana.

The IVF clinics currently segregate sperms on the basis of their physical features, namely its structure and mobility. The measure, according to experts, is insufficient for ensuring a genetically healthier sperm.

Fertilisation by such unscreened sperms increases the possibility of making the offspring susceptible to disorders, said Singh.

It also reduces the chances of life birth post fertilisation, he added, while claiming that the rate of life births by IVF cycles is estimated to be around 35% in India, which is close to the world average.

According to the data of Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a US-based body, IVF cycle results in live births in 38.3% of women under 35.

While the number falls to 32% for women aged 35 to 37, it reduces down to 23.1% for those aged between 38 and 40, and to 10.4% in women over 40.

In his four year of the research, Singh and his team found that the percentage of life births can also be improved by subjecting sperms for segregation by identifying epigenetic markers located on the surface of DNA.

Practising doctors running IVF clinics have already expressed keen interest in genetic screening.

“It is a great setback for both the patients and the doctor if the baby is not conceived or is not born alive after completion of the tedious IVF process. Genetic screening can sure prove to be boon for the IVF sector,” said Dr Latika Agarwal, who runs IVF clinic in Western Uttar Pradesh.

India is currently one of the leading countries that provide affordable IVF facilities.

“If we could improve the technique using genetic screening, India can become the hub of IVF treatment in the world,” Agarwal said.

Under IVF technology, a human sperm and ova are fertilised outside the female body in a controlled environment. The concept was introduced around 40 years back and around 6 million couples have benefited from it, claim doctors.

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