BMN Blog

Dr Beth Malizia and Alabama Fertility Specialists are thrilled to announce the first pregnancy in the state of Alabama from a new technology that allows for the intra-vaginal culture of embryos. This new technique using a device (INVOcell) cultures embryos within a patient’s vagina rather than utilizing the complex incubators of an IVF laboratory.

INVOcell is a patented medical device used in the treatment of infertility that enables egg fertilization and early embryo development to take place in the woman's body, in vivo, providing a simpler, more natural and cost-effective option. During an INVOcell procedure, the patient undergoes a mild ovarian stimulation cycle. Once the eggs are retrieved and sperm is collected, they are placed into the INVOcell device. The INVOcell device is immediately positioned in the upper vaginal cavity for incubation, where natural fertilization and early development of the embryos take place.

The clinical trials provided to the FDA included 450 INVO cycles with 132 live births performed in 4 reproductive centers. These cycles were monitored from the first day of the ovarian stimulation to the birth of the babies, which was the primary endpoint, and results were comparable to traditional IVF.

Dr. Malizia is the first physician trained in this procedure in the state of Alabama and now has the honor of achieving the first pregnancy. Dr. Malizia and her partners, Dr. Bouknight and Dr. McLean of Alabama Fertility Specialists report continued success with this procedure as well as other highly advanced treatments of infertility and other reproductive issues.

For more information please visit www.alabamafertility.com or www.invobioscience.com.