Nova IVI Fertility, one of the largest service providers in the fertility space aims to bring advanced Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to India in partnership with IVI of Spain. The partnership has resulted in a substantial addition to Nova’s IVF services and technology, including proprietary software, training, and quality management. With IVI’s know-how and vast international expertise, NIF brings the same exceptional standard of processes, protocols and policies to India.

In addition to providing core procedures such as IUI, IVF, and Andrology services, NIF offers several state-of-the art technologies such as Vitrification for preserving embryos and eggs, ERA to find out the timing of the uterus’ capacity to accept embryos, PGS and PGD for the transfer of genetically normal embryos, all procedures that significantly improve the chances of a pregnancy following IVF-ICSI, even in patients with multiple previous failures.

Human embryo is an incredibly complicated and also multifactorial procedure. Effective implantation needs the existence of a good embryo, as well as a receptive endometrium. There are several possible factors which can cause the implantation to fail. There are many different tests which can help doctors narrow down the issue, Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) being the latest technique.

Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) is a molecular diagnostic test used to investigate the receptivity of the endometrium. Receptivity of the endometrium is a condition in which the endometrium (uterine lining) is ready for implantation of the embryo. The ERA is a state-of-the-art diagnostic technique that helps to evaluate the woman’s endometrial receptivity from a molecular perspective. Embryo implantation is the process of the embryo syncing with the endometrial wall in a woman.

Discussing the significance of the test at a press briefing, Dr. Richa Jagtap, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility, said “The ERA test is recommended for women with recurrent implantation failure, defines as women with two or more unsuccessful embryo transfers. The ERA test can increase the possibilities of a successful pregnancy in patients because we can time the embryo transfer to be within the time bracket when implantation is most likely to occur. That is how we can personalize the time of the embryo transfer in each patient. While ERA is not necessary or appropriate for every infertility patient, it has proved to be a key intervention for some patients who were not finding success otherwise. A displaced window of implantation was detected in approximately 25% of these patients. ERA helps us to reveal the patient’s personalized window of implantation before starting assisted reproductive system (ART).”

When should one use ERA test?

Diagnosis of endometrial receptivity has posed a challenge and so far most available tests have been subjective and lack accuracy and a predictive value. Use of ERA test in patients improves reproductive performance and chances of a successful pregnancy in patients with recurrent implantation failure.

Dr. Richa further added, “When an IVF embryo transfer fails, it is very disheartening and frustrating to the couple undergoing treatment. In a search for answers we consider the embryo itself, which is a combination of sperm and egg, and we also the environment in which we are putting the embryo. Though there can be multiple reasons for IVF failure, one key reason is the embryo not being transferred at the right time. ERA helps in diagnosing the right time for an implantation of the embryo. There are a lot of patients who have a normal womb and still seek answers for their fertility and fail, they either stop trying or move to surrogacy. ERA comes as a boon in such cases, fulfilling the dreams of many.”