Leaders in Fertility Research
Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA) has been a pioneer in fertility science since its inception in 1999, with an unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Research & Innovation
Over the years RMA has evolved to become one of the most trusted authorities on all aspects of infertility, including research, education and patient care. This unparalleled emphasis on research and innovation has made possible quantum leap advancements in the practice of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) that have given rise to a new standard of care for the industry and a new benchmark of success for patients.
Raising the Bar
Today, due to advancements encouraging Single Embryo Transfer (SET), IVF with RMA means a drastic reduction in multiple births resulting in a lower risk for mothers and babies. RMA’s singleton babies are now born with the same weight and term delivery rates as those conceived naturally.
Improving Outcomes
How has RMA reduced the burden of care so quickly? By investing tens of millions of dollars into studying one question: how can IVF lead to one healthy baby?
The answer required getting several steps exactly right, and each clinical trial done at RMA inched doctors closer to finding the answer. Still, everyday doctors at RMA are working to further advance the field, finding answers to new questions that can improve outcomes and help couples complete their families safely and in the shortest time possible.
With a state-of-the-art laboratory, embryologists, scientists, and doctors as passionate as they are skilled, and a tireless focus on discovery, RMA is a worldwide leader in turning ideas into science, science into success, and success into families.
Research Oriented
RMA’s research has spanned the field of assisted reproduction and sought to make new discoveries in the areas of diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), male fertility, egg freezing, embryo biopsy, and testing, mosaicism, the microbiome, fibroids, stem cell rejuvenation, extended embryo culture, and dozens of more topics.
RMA’s April 2017 merger with IVI, Europe’s biggest IVF provider, has only elevated the group’s scientific reach. Together, IVI-RMA Global is the single-biggest investor in IVF research in the world.
Published Research
Since its founding in 1999, RMA has published hundreds of pieces of research – including more than a dozen clinical trials – in an effort to improve patient outcomes.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of published works. To learn about IVI-RMA Global’s research, visit our Innovation website at ivi-rmainnovation.com.
Follicle-stimulating hormone levels on day 3 are predictive of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome. *Study showed that FSH levels were predictive of IVF outcome. This allowed patients to have a better understanding of their fertility after their initial workup.
Birth of infant after the transfer of anucleate donor oocyte cytoplasm into recipient eggs. *Study showed it’s possible to rejuvenate a poor quality egg with young mitochondria from a donor.
Cleavage stage biopsy significantly impairs human embryonic implantation potential while blastocyst biopsy does not: a randomized and paired clinical trial. *Study showed day 3 embryo biopsy was harmful while day 5 embryo biopsy was not. This showed that a biopsy performed at the blastocyst stage was safe to the embryo and had no untoward effect on IVF outcomes.
Blastocyst biopsy with CCS and fresh embryo transfer significantly increases IVF implantation and delivery rates: a randomized controlled trial. *This showed that CCS helped to improve embryo selection and therefore pregnancy and delivery rates.
Oocyte vitrification does not increase the risk of embryonic aneuploidy or diminish the implantation potential of blastocysts created after intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a novel, paired randomized controlled trail using DNA fingerprinting. *Study showed egg freezing did not harm embryos or prevent implantation. This allowed women to pursue egg freezing without fear it would harm their future babies.
IVF with single euploid blastocyst transfer: a randomized controlled trial. *Study showed transferring 1 screened embryo instead of 2 unscreened embryos resulted in the same pregnancy rates but with less obstetrical risk to patients. This showed women the benefit of transferring one normal embryo at a time. One embryo = one baby.
The nature of aneuploidy with increasing age of the female partner: a review of 15,169 consecutive trophectoderm biopsies evaluated with comprehensive chromosome screening. *Study showed that a woman’s eggs produce more abnormal embryos as she ages. This allowed women to understand that their fertility declines as they age, and plan accordingly.
Reproductive tract microbiome in assisted reproductive technologies. A study characterizing the microbiome of the endometrium and endocervix in women undergoing IVF. *Study began to unravel the link between the microbiome of the reproductive tract and assisted reproduction.
Sequential vs. Monophasic Media Impact Trial. A paired randomized controlled trial comparing a sequential media system to a monophasic medium. *Study showed growing embryos in multi-step culture was more effective than in single-step culture in our lab. This gave patients peace of mind that their embryos were being grown in the most effective way.
Next generation sequencing for embryo selection. *Study validated next generation genetic embryo testing platform. This allowed patients to know that the screening platform has undergone rigorous validation and is cutting edge in terms of technology.
Celiac and reproductive effects – is the prevalence of celiac disease higher in the infertile population? Are IVF outcomes different in affected patients? *Study showed that seropositive celiac disease did not have an impact on patients’ IVF journey.
Does body composition in couples undergoing IVF correlate with outcomes? Previous studies suggested inferior outcomes in obese patients undergoing IVF with fresh embryo transfers. This study demonstrated that with frozen embryo transfers, obese women have equivalent success rates to normal-weight counterparts when controlling for age. *This allowed patients to feel confident about success in IVF and subsequent pregnancy, regardless of body composition.
A paired randomized controlled trial demonstrating pregnancy rates are equivalent between static and dynamic culture systems. *Study showed that movement of embryos in culture (ie. micro-vibration), mimicking the natural process, had no impact on IVF outcomes.
Characterizing the natural menstrual cycle to determine embryonic aneuploidy. *Study showed that IVF without ovarian stimulation led to the same rate of abnormal embryos as stimulated IVF, but with less efficient outcomes. This showed women that their injectable medication was not causing an increase in the number of abnormal embryos.
A paired randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing blastulation rate in ultra-low (2%) vs. low (5%) oxygen in extended culture (EC). *Preliminary research showed embryos prefer naturally-shifting culture oxygen levels to grow.