ATLANTA, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The first births in the United States conceived using Platelet Activating Factor, or PAF, for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) patients were achieved by the team of experts at Reproductive Biology Associates (RBA) located in Atlanta, Georgia.
William E. Roudebush, Ph.D., Director of Andrology, and his research team at RBA developed a sperm wash process for IUI that results in cumulative IUI pregnancy rates for patients without male factor in excess of 50%. The cumulative national average currently is approximately 25%, so this new process is doubling the success rates for IUI. The PAF wash protocol produces IUI pregnancy rates that are close to that of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) rates at a fraction of the cost. This new process involves the use of the biochemical "Platelet Activating Factor" or PAF, which is found naturally in sperm and whose function is related to fertility.
"In essence, exposing sperm to PAF prior to IUI results in a 'sperm accelerant' and appears to supercharge the sperm," explained Dr. Roudebush, a preeminent expert on PAF and fertility. "We are now achieving pregnancies with fewer IUI attempts, and without increasing the risk of multiple births. In addition, many patients who historically would have required IVF are now able to achieve a pregnancy at less expense and with reduced health risk through IUI. This in turn produces a substantial cost savings for the patients." Dr. Roudebush continues, "The process allows patients more fertility options because they now have increased chances for pregnancies without having to pursue more advanced reproductive procedures. To sum it up, this process of washing sperm with PAF prior to IUI is providing patients greater success, faster and at far less cost."
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the most commonly used procedure as a first-step treatment for infertile couples attempting to become pregnant. Approximately 200,000 IUI cycles are performed annually in the U.S. alone. The cost of an IUI cycle typically ranges from $500 (naturally) to $3,500 (with the use of fertility drugs). Nationally, the average cumulative pregnancy rate for IUIs in non-male factor cases is approximately 25 percent (with the use of fertility drugs). RBA's PAF process roughly doubles these pregnancy rates.
Dr. Roudebush's results are based on over 15 years of scientific studies. Dr. Roudebush has received many awards and honors for his work on PAF. He has published over 200 articles, book chapters and abstracts relating to research in the field of PAF and infertility. Results of the PAF-IUI study have been presented at national and international meetings and following peer review was published in the July 2004 edition of Fertility & Sterility. The article title is Platelet-activating factor significantly enhances intrauterine insemination pregnancy rates in non-male factor infertility (Vol 82, No. 1, pages 52-56).
For more information or to interview Dr. Roudebush and the clinicians at Reproductive Biology Associates please contact Willy Spizman at 770/953-2040 or email at willy@spizmanagency.com. For more information you can also visit the website http://www.rba-online.com/ .
About Reproductive Biology Associates
Reproductive Biology Associates (RBA) was established in 1982 in order to provide emerging reproductive technology to patients who had not achieved pregnancy through conventional diagnostic and therapeutic measures. From the very beginning RBA has been a leader in the development and refinement of clinical procedures and scientific techniques, which enhance pregnancy outcomes.
Examples of RBA leadership include establishing Georgia's first IVF program and first IVF birth. In 1986 RBA was the third IVF program in the United States to achieve a pregnancy from a frozen embryo. RBA was the first IVF program in the world to report a baby born with the aid of a micromanipulation technique known as Partial Zona Dissection or PZD in 1988. In 1993, RBA became the first center in the U.S. to achieve a pregnancy and birth through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Subsequently, RBA was one of the first IVF centers in the U.S. to report success with sperm retrieved through testicular sperm aspiration, and in 1997 RBA was the first practice in the Western Hemisphere to achieve pregnancies and birth through Oocyte Cryopreservation (Frozen Egg Technology).
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Reproductive Biology Associates