Investigations

At QFG infertility investigations will begin at your first appointment. Your doctor will look at four key areas:

• Ovulation
• Sperm quality
• Egg and sperm union
• Implantation and maintenance

You can expect hormone profiles to assess ovulatory function and disease, a semen analysis, chromosome analysis to identify chromosomal abnormalities which may be a cause of infertility and ultrasound scans to assess pelvic normality.

Both partners should be evaluated simultaneously as infertility can be due to male or female factors or both.  Limiting the evaluation to one member of a couple can delay or prevent doctors understanding why a couple isn’t conceiving.

Hormone profiles

An initial hormone profile can identify problems with ovulation, disease states such as thyroid disorder and pituitary function. QFG routinely screens for infectious diseases in both partners.

Semen Analysis

With male infertility contributing to 40% of the cases that we see, semen testing is a priority at Queensland Fertility Group. All male partners undertake a semen test to determine quantity and quality of sperm. We also offer a unique test, Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) to identify damaged DNA within the sperm, which may be affecting a couple’s fertility. The results of these two tests are important in determining the most appropriate course of action and treatment.

Chromosome, DNA and Genetic Screening

Some couples experiencing infertility have a high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities. Queensland Fertility Group is the only IVF clinic in the state with an onsite genetics laboratory. Our laboratory provides chromosome studies for all new patients and these are bulk billed to Medicare. The results provide a comprehensive diagnostic picture to your infertility specialist and in many cases can explain precise causes of infertility. This explanation is extremely important to couples. Armed with this knowledge they can make an informed choice as to appropriate treatments eg IVF, PGD, donor gametes and prenatal diagnosis and / or seek genetic counselling to fully understand the implications to their reproductive future. 

PGD is utilised for the detection of chromosome abnormalities and single gene disorders in couples where there is a known or raised risk of a genetic disorder or in cases of recurrent miscarriage. The purpose of PGD is to identify embryos which are free of suspected chromosomal abnormalities or genetically linked disease so that they may be transferred to the uterus to achieve a normal pregnancy.

Our DNA laboratory is currently screening for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). 1 in 25 people are carriers of a CF gene mutation. Certain mutations can result in infertility. In 2008 we intend to screen for other common genetic disorders.