Clotelle Frederick (seated) and Gina Aldis, embryologists at the newly-opened in vitro fertilisation (IVF) unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies, using the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or the ICSI. This sophisticated technology brings hope to infertile couples by allowing technicians to unite a single sperm from a man with an ovum from a woman to create an embryo.
By Eulalee Thompson, Staff Reporter
JAMAICA'S FIRST locally-cultured test-tube baby was "conceived" yesterday and will be transferred to the patient's womb tomorrow (Saturday) at the University Hospital of the West Indies's newly-opened in vitro fertility (IVF) laboratory.
The test-tube baby was "conceived" when the ova (or eggs) produced by a female patient were fertilised by spermatozoa from her male partner in the high-tech IVF laboratory, instead of inside the woman's womb. This will produce an embryo which will be transferred to the womb where it will grow for the next nine months. The procedure is called in vitro fertilisation of the human egg and it brings hope to infertile couples who are unable to produce babies in the usual way.
This technique was perfected by British medical researchers Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards and the first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born on July 25, 1978.
However, lead clinician Dr. Joseph Frederick told The Gleaner that the quality of the technology and trained staff now at the UHWI's IVF laboratory put Jamaica and the Caribbean on par with developed countries in the area of the management of infertile couples. These couples will be able to access the local service at the competitive cost of US$4,500 inclusive of drugs compared to the overseas cost of about US$15,000.
"The laboratory has the most modern pieces of equipment used in vitro fertility. It is in fact modelled off the laboratory in Birmingham which is the biggest one in England. This is where we were trained," Dr. Frederick said.
A medical team from the Midland Fertility Services in England is working with the local clinicians who include Dr. Vernon DaCosta, Dr. Shawn Wynter and Dr. Charles Rockhead during the first weeks of the laboratory's operation.
The IVF laboratory contains microscopes for the investigation of male and female sex cells, produced through artificial stimulation using medication; incubators and a piece of equipment called the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI, which is especially used for men who have low sperm count or are unable to produce any sperm. Using ICSI, embryologists Clotelle Frederick and Gina Aldis explained that with this sophisticated technology, the laboratory will be able to isolate a single, viable sperm from the millions produced by men and unite it with an ovum for fertilisation to take place, bringing high hope to infertile couples.
Dr. Frederick said that patients will be able to freeze and store for up to five years, the extra sex cells collected by the laboratory. He said, however, that he is mindful of the ethical issues involved and is guided by the UHWI's ethical committee. Therefore, only three embryos will be transferred to the womb at any one time, the patients will be counselled internally and externally and ownership of the embryos will belong to the couple.
"In fact, both of them will have to sign a form indicating that their sex cells is for the fertilisation of a particular man or woman and we would not be able to use them with another man or woman. We would also not be able to destroy the sex cells without consent," he said.
The laboratory is not now considering the more controversial procedure of surrogate motherhood.
This is the practice in which a woman (the surrogate mother), bears a child for a couple who are unable to produce children in the normal way, usually because the wife is infertile or is otherwise unable to undergo pregnancy.
-- Junior Dowie Photo
