Ethnicity and embryo aneuploidy rates
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing the relationship between patient ethnicity and embryo euploidy Status: A retrospective data analysis
IRAS ID
342161
Contact name
Yusuf Beebeejaun
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's Fertility
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Ethnic disparities in in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates have been noted in various studies, highlighting differences in treatment outcomes among different ethnic groups with past studies showing higher pregnancy rates in older Caucasians patients compared to younger South-Asian patients. Aneuploidy, the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, significantly impacts embryo viability and may lead to unsuccessful implantation or pregnancy loss. With aneuploidy as one of the best-characterized barriers to IVF success, critics argue that potential ethnic variations in aneuploidy rates may contribute to inequalities in IVF success, raising concerns about the appropriateness of standardized protocols. This research project investigates the influence of ethnicity on embryo aneuploidy rates utilizing an internal database comprising results from blastocyst biopsy procedures conducted among patients in the United Kingdom (UK), Japan, and India.
The study design involves a retrospective analysis of anonymized data collected at King's Fertility UK and within the Igenomix database. Igenomix performs blastocyst biopsies performed across diverse ethnic groups within the UK, Japan, and India. By examining a large dataset encompassing various ethnic backgrounds, the research aims to elucidate potential correlations between ethnicity and embryo aneuploidy rates. Factors such as maternal age and treatment protocols will be accounted for to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the findings.
Through statistical analyses and comparison of aneuploidy rates across different ethnic cohorts, the research endeavors to uncover any significant ethnic disparities in embryo chromosomal abnormalities. Ultimately, the findings from this study hold promise for enhancing personalized fertility treatments and counseling strategies tailored to specific ethnic populations. By elucidating the relationship between ethnicity and embryo aneuploidy rates, this research contributes to the advancement of reproductive medicine and promotes equitable access to effective fertility care across diverse demographic groups.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0127
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion