This summer, we are introducing a new procedure in our laboratory that will allow us to do genetic testing on embryos that have reached the blastocyst stage of development. Traditionally, embryos are biopsied when they are just 3 days old at which time they should have reached the 8-cell stage (see figure 1). The biopsied cell is sent to the genetics laboratory for testing while the remainder of the embryo continues to grow in our laboratory. The genetic testing results are received 48 hours later, when we hope that the embryo will have reached the blastocyst stage (see figure 2). Blastocysts that have passed genetic screening can be transferred or frozen for later use.

Performing the biopsy when the embryo has become a blastocyst is more technically challenging, and it allows less time for the genetics lab to do their testing. However, in a blastocyst, we are specifically able to biopsy from the part of the embryo that will become the placenta, and we can get more than 1 cell, which allows for greater accuracy in the genetic testing. Depending on how quickly the test is run, the embryo may have to be frozen while we wait for the results.

While freezing is inconvenient, it does allow time for more complex genetic testing, and for multiple tests if necessary. And, with the success of vitrification for preserving embryos (see Fertility Flash Vol. 7, Issue 3), we are confident that the frozen embryos will survive and implant at high rates when thawed.

In the next few years, we expect that the traditional methods for biopsy and genetic testing will disappear and that blastocyst biopsy will be the standard procedure. As genetic testing evolves, it will not be possible to rely on just a single cell from an embryo to get dependable results. We already know that there is genetic variability among cells in an individual embryo, a phenomenon known as mosaicism, and our new procedure will overcome this problem.

In the coming months, we will announce an exciting new partnership with a Bay Area genetic testing lab, and we will keep readers informed on our progress with genetic testing in embryos. This is an exciting field that continues to evolve.

We are excited to introduce a new website FertilityWire, http://fertilitywire.com.  This site is separate from our current website www.pacificfertilitycenter.com.

FertilityWire will provide access to a wealth of fertility information, news, and social content. Please take a moment to check out this exciting new resource. You can let us know what you think in the comments section.

Enjoy!

-Robb Mayberry, Director of Development

In October of 2008, after many months of planning, PFC began construction on our new lab. The design called for an environmentally friendly facility that was bright, open, and efficient for our 8 embryologists and the many thousands of embryos that we care for each year. The size of the lab was doubled to allow for the addition of more embryo incubators and ensure room for future growth.

Traditionally the embryology lab is an area that is not accessible to patients or visitors, but our new design utilizes glass walls in key areas and makes our activities more transparent to the outside world. While the lab remains a secure area with limited access, the activities inside can be observed from the outside by anyone passing through our facility. This openness is important to all of us at PFC; we want to remove any mystery associated with the IVF lab, and allow patients free “visual” access. Large TV monitors are installed above several of the microscopes to further open up the world of IVF. We are proud of the work we do at PFC and we want to share.

While the glass walls are largely a cosmetic change, almost every other part of the new lab was designed with the health of our embryos in mind. The installation of a specialized and custom-designed air filtering unit consumed over 20% of the budget for the project. Our goal is to have highly purified air circulating in the lab. The new air handler achieves this goal with the use of a series of filters that remove all particles and chemicals from the air. The lab is further protected from the outside by two separate air lock doors that use positive pressure from the inside to the outside to keep unclean air out.

All supplies and consumables for the lab are handled by the embryologists only, who also take responsibility for all cleaning and other custodial functions. We empty our own trash and wash our own floors. These precautions are in place not only to keep custodians and other building staff out, but also to control the chemicals and cleaners that might con- taminate our clean environment. All com- pressed gases (which feed our incubators) and liquid nitrogen (for our frozen embryo tanks) is piped in from outside the lab, so that it is not necessary for delivery people to enter the lab.

Our incubators in which the embryos develop are fundamentally the most important pieces of equipment in the lab. These incubators are monitored, serviced, and maintained by the embryologists, who have specific training in the use of all of our equipment. Quality control checks are exhaustive and performed daily to make sure that all equipment is functioning exactly as specified. A change of even a half degree in temperature could cause problems in an incubator, so monitoring is continuous and detailed. The gases that are piped into the incubators (carbon dioxide and nitrogen) are filtered as they enter the lab to make sure that they are pure.

The laboratory is supplied with emergency power from a large dedicated back-up generator located at the side of our building. Should there be a major power outage this generator produces power for at least 36 hours before it needs additional diesel. Our generator has proved itself many times over during the years of rolling black outs and other power failures.

We continue to upgrade our facility and maintain the standards of excellence that makes PFC the choice of patients. At the time of writing, we are working toward installing a second back-up system in the event that there is a power outage and our back-up generator fails. We are also always examining new equipment that will allow us to offer new technologies to patients. As we move forward, we will report our latest developments at PFC in the Fertility Flash. In the meantime, come by and visit with the embryologists through the glass. We won’t wave at you, but we’re happy to see you checking up on us. We want you to know that your embryos are in good hands.

To schedule a tour contact one of our New Patient Coordinators at 888-834-3095.

Cutting Edge Approaches to Sex and Relationship Therapy

Presented by: Dr. Naomi O’Keefe,
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Thursday, March 26, 2009
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Program will be held at the
PFC Education Center
55 Francisco St., Fifth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94133
Parking in garage will be validated.

The Educational Series is a complimentary service provided by PFC to health care professionals specializing in the field of reproductive medicine, obstetrics and/or gynecology. Please watch for future talks on a variety of topics within the field.

This year Pacific Fertility Center is undergoing a much anticipated structural and design change. The clinic located on the fifth floor at 55 Francisco Street was purchased in 1999 from a previous owner, and after 8 very busy years, we are ready for a facelift. The opportunity to renovate our space came last month when PFC was offered an adjacent suite vacated by another tenant. The suite, adjacent to our laboratory, was perfect for an expansion that we had been considering for some time.

While the additional space is a bonus, the major benefit of the expansion is the ability to install a state-of-the-art air handling and cleaning system for the laboratory. With the addition of special air-lock doors, the laboratory will have improved separation from the rest of the building, ensuring the highest air quality. The air inside the laboratory will have an updated purification system to remove all particles and chemicals. These combined upgrades will further protect the laboratory from outside environmental influences.

The driving force behind the current construction is the air purification system, and isolation of the lab. However with this opportunity we are also expanding our laboratory space, purchasing new equipment, redecorating and painting. In the past, our laboratory was closed for several weeks at the end of each year to allow for major maintenance, equipment servicing, and cleaning related to normal wear and tear. The use of volatile paint and certain cleaning products is prohibited during the year on the entire fifth floor to protect the delicate growing embryos. The cleaning products normally used throughout the year, are ones we know do not affect our embryos.

We do have many other noticeable upgrades planned. We are taking this opportunity to update the rest of our center. The front reception and lobby are undergoing a significant renovation, as are our exam rooms and some of our offices.

All materials being used in the remodel are organic and toxin free. PFC continues to promote a safe and clean environment. Special paints will be used that are plant derived and free of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). The chairs and furniture we purchase will also be VOC free. New carpets and flooring are already laid out in warehouses so that any chemicals used in their manufacture can dissipate before being installed.

As a further precaution, to ensure that all furniture, equipment, flooring and paint are guaranteed VOC free, we’re going to “cook-off” the lab by raising the temperature to about 120 0F continuously for 4 days prior to reopening. The high temperatures drive out any residual VOC’s and chemicals which will then be removed by the charcoal and potassium permanganate filters in the air handling system.

All of these changes will cause some minor disruption in our office during the next few weeks. To minimize the amount of disturbance we have construction crews working around the clock. In addition, we have dedicated some of our staff to assist patients in navigating the new space and construction areas.

Pacific Fertility Center is making a clean start. We look forward to welcoming you to our newly renovated clinic. We anticipate even greater success in the years to come. Thank you for your understanding. Please let us know if we can assist you in any way during this time of transition.

Pacific Fertility Center is pleased to announce the launch of our in-house mind-body medicine program. We are offering on-site acupuncture and mind-body groups to further support your treatment choices.

Over the years, Pacific Fertility Center (PFC) patients have elected to receive acupuncture treatment in combination with IVF and other fertility treatments. These treatments have been provided at outside facilities. We now offer acupuncture on-site, to minimize the stress of visiting numerous providers during your treatment cycle. We recognize that family building choices are diverse and want to support you throughout your important, personal decisions on your journey to parenthood.

This new service offers the expertise of acupuncturists who specialize in reproductive care. Our acupuncture team will work in close communication with the physicians of PFC. The result is a program that supports you with safe and convenient treatment. This exceptional new team is comprised of four licensed acupuncturists (LAc) who hold Masters of Science degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine from accredited schools in California.

The medical team at Pacific Fertility Center is proud to provide this new service. While current studies do not show improved pregnancy rates with the combination of IVF and acupuncture treatment, we look forward to collaborative research studies to clarify these important questions. Together, we are launching exciting research projects that will investigate the scope and effectiveness of combined acupuncture and assisted reproductive technologies. Fertility Flash will provide readers with more information as the research program develops.

We hope you will enjoy getting to know the acupuncturists and take advantage of these new treatment options.

Pacific Fertility Center continues to offer the Mind/Body@PFC Workshop. At the workshop, our experienced, Alice Domar-taught instructors help patients learn healthy, positive ways to relax and decrease the symptoms of stress during their fertility treatments.

It is our hope that these offered services will provide a more comprehensive approach to your journey through fertility treatment with us at PFC.

Learn more about the acupuncture program at PFC

In late October of this year, our first patient who underwent embryo transfer with embryos created from vitrified and warmed donor oocytes has successfully delivered. The baby was born at term and appears to be perfectly healthy.

Three other pregnancies are ongoing and are expected to deliver in 2008. We congratulate our new parents and the parents-to-be who have participated in this ground breaking program.

PFC has ended enrollment of patients into this program, but expects to continue research efforts with respect to oocyte vitrification.

AFA 2007 Family Building Award to be Presented to Dr. Philip Chenette
Pacific Fertility Center is proud to announce that Dr. Philip E. Chenette will be honored, along with five other physicians, with the Family Building Award at the American Fertility Association’s glamorous Kokopelli Ball in New York City on November 5, 2007. Brenda Strong of the cast of Desperate Housewives will present the award.

Joe Conaghan, PhD, HCLD, Named Chair of the College of Reproductive Biology
Pacific Fertility Center’s Laboratory Director Joe Conaghan, PhD, HCLD, has been elected as the Chair of the College of Reproductive Biology (CRB). CRB is a special interest group within the American Board of Bioanalysts (ABB). In addition to his new responsibilities, Dr. Conaghan remains an active member of the ABB Board of Directors from whom embryologists and andrologists receive their certification and licensure.

All PFC MDs Selected as 2007- 8 Best Doctors*
Left to right: Front Row: Carolyn Givens, MD, Isabelle Ryan, MD Back Row: Philip Chenette, MD, Eldon Schriock, MD, Carl Herbert, MD

We are proud to announce that once again all physicians at Pacific Fertility Center have been singled out by their peers as *Best Doctors (see www.bestdoctors.com) .

Our doctors are internationally recognized specialists in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. They have completed top-level medical education, published groundbreaking professional papers, and held positions on the faculty of leading research universities. They continue to participate in reproductive research. All MDs are Board Certified by ABOG as Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialists. Our state-of-the-art laboratory has one of the most highly trained teams in the country.

*Continuous peer-to-peer surveys help bestdoctors.com identify specialists who are considered by fellow physicians to be the most skilled in their fields and most qualified for reviewing and treating complex medical conditions. The polling process is anonymous and confidential, qualitative and quantitative. It provides detailed profiles of each physician, including his or her practice, research programs and diagnostic and treatment procedures. They survey doctors in more than 400 subspecialties of medicine.

In April of this year, Dr. Carolyn Givens attended the annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society in Palm Springs, California. This is a meeting attended by approximately 200 infertility specialists, embryologists, nurses and other fertility professionals.

At the meeting, Pacific Fertility Center’s study entitled “Outcomes of Natural Cycles vs. Programmed Cycles for 1390 Frozen Embryo Transfers” was presented by Dr. Givens in an oral presentation in the scientific portion of the meeting program.

Following the presentation, Dr. Givens was awarded the Society’s Practicing Physician Award for the best scientific presentation by a physician in full time private practice. Congratulations to Dr. Givens!

With the onset of New Years resolutions, particularly those relating to healthy living, the timing of the January 2006 HEALTH Etc. conference was ideal. Approximately 4,000 people attended the Moscone Center-based conference. The event provided a forum for the general public to learn about numerous health and wellness topics via breakout sessions and exhibits.

Pacific Fertility Center (PFC) was involved in the conference, sharing important information about infertility diagnosis and treatment. Our participation included a 45-minute infertility breakout session. PFC’s Drs. Philip Chenette and Carolyn Givens discussed some of the latest advancements in infertility diagnosis and treatment followed by a Question and Answer session. PFC’s informational booth provided literature and advice to those interested in learning more about infertility.

One of the highlights of the conference was a motivating keynote address from TV personality “Dr. Phil” McGraw.

In recent years there has been a newfound emphasis on health and wellness with the general public taking a more proactive role in their own personal well being. PFC continues its commitment to educate those who are contemplating parenthood. After all, when it comes to health and wellness, building healthy families is often at the forefront.

For other events involving PFC, click here: Events Calendar