Several tests are now being developed to help predict a couple's chances of a successful IVF procedure. A set of IVF test is usually done before a couple goes through an IVF procedure or after a failed IVF treatment.
Blood Test
After an unsuccessful IVF treatment, a new technique has been developed to help patients decide if they have a chance if they go through another cycle. Researchers have found traces of markers on the patients' blood that could identify women who will most likely get pregnant. These markers include genes that control the growth of new blood vessels, the cells' energy supply acting quite differently and showing inflammation.
Deep Phenotyping or Personalized Predictor IVF Test
Dr. Yao and her colleagues in Stanford University School have developed a "Deep Phenotyping" model. From the data collected from the IVF patients at Stanford Hospital and Clinics from 2003 until 2006, Yao has identified 52 factors that caused failure in getting pregnant. Through their discovery they built a computer model machine that sorts out patients into smaller subsets to compare any similar characteristics from the findings and according to their tests the machine's predictions are almost 100% accurate. The only disadvantage with this method is it's hard to get records of previous cases because all records are kept secured or confidential.
First Genetic Blood IVF Test
Some researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine located in Yeshiva University in Bronx, New York have discovered a new way of predicting a woman's success or failure on her next IVF cycle. A gene called fragile X mental retardation gene (FMR1) has a great effect on an IVF procedure. Studies show that women with normal FMR1 has 38.6% of getting pregnant and women who have normal / high heterozygous genes have 31.7% chance of conceiving, while women with low heterozygous genes have 22.2% chance of getting pregnant. FMR1 is a gene known to predict when a woman's ovarian reserve will most likely fail. In other words, this test will help forecast when woman's fertility will decrease, thus helping women plan when they need to start a family or bank their eggs for future use.
Four Hour Test
Researchers from John Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US have found that when a woman is affected with infertility, one of her genes that regulate cholesterol level affects a woman's production of progesterone. Researchers have developed a new way of screening the eggs to find out which of the eggs is the healthiest and will most likely survive implantation. The test lasts approximately four hours and after the screening is done, doctors can easily distinguish the healthy from the unhealthy ones. Unhealthy embryos possess various genetic faults which most likely cause miscarriage. But up to now, the method's efficacy is still being tested.
One Minute IVF Test
Researchers have generated a one-minute IVF prediction test that can be done online. The test consists of nine basic questions including the age, pregnancy history, and egg donor details if you have one. Within a minute you'll get the result and according to the researchers the results are 100% accurate.
Various IVF tests are done to help couples decide before going through the IVF procedure. The statistics these tests will show will help couples decide whether to continue or not to continue with IVF.