Within in-vitro fertilization (IVF), one of the most common complications women have is known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This may lead to kidney failure in about five percent of patients who go through IVF, and can often times prove fatal on the fetus. Now, scientists have revealed a new type of IVF that is more natural, and less hazardous, and could possibly change the face of IVF in the future.
OHSS can cause ovarian swelling, which can affect any woman without regard to her health. This can lead to infertalization and life-threatening reactions. The new treatment uses the hormone kisspeptin, which is more natural than the traditional methods, reports The Independent. The trials began last January at Imperial College London, and since then there have been a total of 12 healthy babies from the 53 original volunteers.
According to Science 2.0, kisspeptin is a naturally occuring hormone within the body, and it is much easier to use kisspeptin to stimulate reproductive hormones. "Our study has shown that kisspeptin can be used as a physiological trigger for egg maturation in IVF therapy," said Professor Waljit Dhillo, who led the study. "It's been a joy to see 12 healthy babies born using this approach."