Media release

From: Australian Science Media Centre

Australian-led research has discovered an effective new infertility treatment for women who are trying to become pregnant which is less invasive, and less expensive, than in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The innovation, which has already undergone pre-clinical testing, uses growth factors to enhance an existing fertility treatment known as in-vitro maturation (IVM). The result is improved egg quality and a 50 per cent increase in embryos, with minimal use of drugs.

Standard in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) requires women to take hormones to stimulate egg cell growth, but these drugs cause significant discomfort, can lead to medical complications, and are expensive. IVM requires only minimal hormone treatment, but most clinicians have recommended IVF because pregnancy rates after IVM have been lower.

The new technique enhances IVM  by adding a combination of a growth factor (cumulin) and cAMP-modulators (small signalling molecules) to the egg cells.

Join us for this online media briefing, when the Australian experts behind the innovation will discuss their work, and its implications for infertility treatment in Australia and around the world.

SPEAKERS:

· Associate Professor Robert Gilchrist is Head of the Oocyte Biology Research Unit at the University of New South Wales

· Associate Professor Jeremy Thompson is Chief Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics and Head of the Early Development Group at the University of Adelaide

· Professor William Ledger is Head of the School of Women’s and Children’s Health at the University of New South Wales

DATE: 23rd August 2016

START TIME: 10:00 am AEST

DURATION: approx. 45 min

VENUE: online

JOINING ONLINE:
Journalists can follow the briefing online via audio and video streaming.  Each presenter will speak for 5-7 minutes followed by questions. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions online.

1. Go to the briefing web portal by clicking here 5 minutes before the start time or anytime during the briefing.

2. Enter your name and email address

3. Click "Join".

If you are having difficulties logging in, we suggest you try pasting the link into a different browser.

(System requirements: You will need a broadband connection and speakers/headphones to hear the event. Allow 1-2 mins for your computer to be configured correctly, install ActiveX, if asked)

PHONE ONLY ACCESS:
1. For phone only access please call: 1800 049 813.

2. Enter access code 573 925 542#. Wait for the prompt and press #.

Radio stations can also record the briefing over a phone line. If you would like to make sure that you can connect, please contact us to arrange a quick test before the day.

If you have any problems joining the briefing online, phone Webex on 1800 493 239 quoting event number 573 925 542.

A recording will be posted on this page as soon as possible after the event.

For further information, please contact the AusSMC on 08 7120 8666 or email info@smc.org.au.

Date issued: 22 August 2016 AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time

NB:  The AusSMC generally runs two different types of media briefings:
NEWS BRIEFINGS – Where new research or data will be released as part of the briefing
BACKGROUND BRIEFINGS – Where experts discuss an issue which is in the news or an issue we consider newsworthy, but no new research or data is being released