Fertility Treatment: PRP by Dr. Jenna Turocy
In vitro fertilization has advanced dramatically since the first IVF baby was born in 1978. In the 1980s, success rates after embryo transfer were only 20% and today success rates stand closer to 50%. We’ve learned age is a major predictor in success rates due to its affect on embryo quality. We now have the ability to test an embryo for chromosomal abnormalities prior to implantation. Pregnancy rates after transferring a genetically tested, chromosomally normal embryo can be as high as 60 - 70% regardless of age. While these success rates are a major achievement, we want these rates to be even higher, closer to 100%. Infertility can be a hard, lengthy journey so a negative pregnancy test after an embryo transfer is particularly devastating. Despite the major advancements in our understanding of reproduction and IVF, we still have a lot to learn about embryo implantation including ways we can improve it. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed as a possible way to increase these success rates after an embryo transfer giving more couples the chance to have their long-awaited baby.
Platelet rich plasma is currently being used in many different areas of medicine. Dermatologists use PRP to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and increase scalp hair growth. PRP is currently used in orthopedics to help joint healing and dentists use PRP to speed up recovery after dental procedures. The use of PRP is in fertility treatment is not new – randomized control trials have shown the insertion of PRP into the uterus prior to an embryo transfer can increase success rates by more than 20% in women who have previously failed prior embryos transfers or have a thin endometrial lining. Yet despite these promising results, PRP has yet to be studied in general infertility population until now. By expanding the use of PRP for all women undergoing fertility treatment, Columbia University Fertility Center hopes to increase the success rates for all patients undergoing IVF.
What Is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) comes from the patient’s own blood. A small sample of blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that is made up of mostly water and protein. Platelets are a type of blood cell that play an important role in healing and contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors. A patient’s own PRP is then placed inside the uterus prior to an embryo transfer to deliver these platelet growth factors at high concentrations to the uterus, resulting in stimulation of cell proliferation, increased vascularity and hopefully higher pregnancy rates. Because PRP is composed of a patient’s own blood, it is considered a very low risk procedure.
PRP for Pregnancy Trial
Columbia University Fertility Center is currently enrolling patients in a randomized control study for women undergoing a frozen embryo transfer. Women enrolled in the trial will have the chance to receive free PRP prior to their embryo transfer. To our knowledge, no other study or fertility center is currently offering PRP to the general infertility population. Given the high success rates, efficacy and safety of PRP, we hope intrauterine infusion of PRP prior to embryo transfer will help improve success rates in all patients suffering from infertility.
The world of fertility treatment can sometimes be confusing and frightening. Dr. Turocy is passionate about serving as a true partner for individuals and couples to help guide them through the complexities of fertility treatment and achieve their ultimate family building goals. Jenna Turocy, MD earned her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and went on to complete her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital. She then completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Columbia University. Dr. Turocy is a board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and an active member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Turocy has authored a variety of publications and book chapters on early and recurrent pregnancy loss and has presented her research at national/international conferences and symposiums focused on advancements in women’s health. During fellowship, she won the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s In-Training Award for Research and her work on cutting edge technology in genomic medicine and assisted reproduction was awarded ASRM’s Scientific Prize Paper of 2021.
Dr. Turocy understands that entering the world of fertility treatment can sometimes be confusing and frightening. She is passionate about serving as a true partner for individuals and couples to help guide them through the complexities of fertility treatment and achieve their ultimate family building goals. Dr. Turocy takes tremendous care in getting to know her patients as people first and believes each patient deserves a personalized treatment plan specific to their unique needs. She believes in integrating holistic approaches caring for the mind and body along with the most recent state-of-art scientific advances to give patients the best experience possible. By establishing an honest, open, and trusting relationship, her patients feel empowered to make informed and confident decisions for themselves and Dr. Turocy considers it an honor to play an intimate role in the lives of her patients as they achieve their goals in building a family.
https://www.obgyn.columbia.edu/profile/jenna-m-turocy-md