In Vitro Fertilization
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Program
Q: What makes our ART and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Program Exceptional?
A: Proven Results, Lab Expertise, and Unparalleled Lab Quality
Proven Results: High Pregnancy Rates with Low Multiple Gestation Rates
Our IVF outcomes have exceeded national averages compared to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) national summary statistics.
Summary of all patients’ IVF outcomes (all ages) through December 2011:
- 48.7% (86/150) pregnancy rate per IVF cycle start (versus 37% national average for 2009 data), with 46.0% (69/150) ongoing pregnancies (> 12 weeks)
- 54.5% (86/134) pregnancy rate per embryo transfer, with 51.5% (69/134) ongoing pregnancies per transfer (>12 weeks)
Women (< 35 years old) through December 2011:
- 56.5% (70/108) pregnancy rate per IVF cycle start (versus 47% national average for 2009 data), with 53.7% (58/108) ongoing pregnancies (> 12 weeks)
- 62.2% (70/98) pregnancy rate per embryo transfer, with 59.2% (58/98) ongoing pregnancies (> 12 weeks)
Drs. Murray and Scotchie both have lower triplet rates than the average rate for Southeast clinics, with <1% triplet rate (vs. 5% average in some areas).
We are performing single embryo transfers in select candidates to further maximize the chance of singleton conceptions.
As you can see, our lab personnel are exceptional:
Lab Expertise: Chattanooga’s Most Experienced Embryologist and Laboratory Director
Shan Wilkinson, MS - Embryologist
- Greater than 11 years of experience working with both human embryos (more than 3000 embryos) and animal embryos (more than 10,000 bovine embryos).
- More experience than any embryologist in the Chattanooga area at embryo biopsy, a technique required for Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and Diagnosis (PGD).
- Southeast Regional expert in embryo biopsy and fixation techniques for PGS/PGD.
Amy Jones, MS, ECLD – Lab Director
- With 14 years of experience as an embryologist, she is the director of the PGD Program at Nashville Fertility Center since 1999, and has performed over 500 PGD cases.
- Referred to by leading national IVF practitioners as one of the top 3 embryo biopsy experts in the country.
- Established one of the first intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) programs in both the UK and India, and has worked in embryology labs in the US, Europe and Asia.
- Award winning research on oocyte (egg) and ovarian tissue cryopreservation, granted the prize paper at the largest international Fertility Society meeting (ASRM) for an egg freezing study, and has numerous publications in prominent fertility journals including Human Reproduction and Fertility and Sterility.
- Currently serves on the board of the College of Reproductive Biology of the American Association of Bioanalysts.