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Our Science

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Leading the future of reproductive science

At Repromed, we pride ourselves on the fact that our clinical and scientific teams remain at the cutting edge of research to provide our patients with evidence-based fertility treatment options available.

Our clinical and scientific teams have a wealth of local and international experience and many conduct research into different facets of reproductive science.

We are also renowned for our exceptional success rates. Furthermore, our highly experienced scientific teams undertake a broad range of initiatives to ensure continuous improvement of our success rates.

Our active and successful research and development programs

Our scientists and clinicians have made major contributions to the global knowledge regarding the causes of and treatments of infertility. These contributions have had positive and real impacts for our patients such as:

  • Development of the male fertility pill ‘Menevit’ to assist in the creation of healthy sperm
  • Development of the Ovarian Reserve Test (AMH), which is now widely used by many IVF clinics in Australia
  • Research into the impact of lifestyle issues on fertility

Repromed scientists have also been at the forefront of developing and/or adopting many cutting edge techniques which have benefited our patients including:

  • Implementation of extended embryo culture to improve pregnancy rates
  • Using the vitrification method for oocyte and embryo freezing to improve oocyte and embryo survival
  • Implementation of the sperm DNA fragmentation test
  • Undertaking preimplantation genetic testing on embryos
  • Implementation of the pre-natal blood test ‘nest’ for pregnant patients

Our laboratories

Repromed has made significant investments in state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and laboratory systems across our clinics. This investment reflects our continued focus on quality control and quality assurances. We continue to investigate and invest in equipment as part of our commitment to improving success rates and outcomes for patients.

Our labs perform in-house Semen Analysis using a state-of-the-art computer assisted system, resulting in our patients obtaining their results faster and with greater consistency compared to traditional methods. Our labs are the first in South Australia and the Northern Territory to verify and adopt this new technology.

Repromed is also the first clinic in Australia to introduce Piezo ICSI, a different technique used to insert a single sperm into an egg. For patients who require this technology it can result in an improvement in the number of embryos suitable for freezing.(Furuhashi, K et al., 2019 and Zander-Fox, D et al., 2021).

We have also commenced introducing time-lapse technology into our laboratories – a type of incubation for embryos. We are also proud that majority of our tests are carried out in-house using the latest techniques and best practice methods. For example, Repromed was the first – and still only – clinic in South Australia to offer on-site Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) on embryos.

PGT allows IVF scientists to confirm that the correct genetic material (number of chromosomes) is present in an embryo being transferred. PGT is also an option for patients at an increased risk of passing a chromosome abnormality or specific genetic disorder on to their children. Patients choose PGT for many reasons, including repeat implantation failure, repeat miscarriage, an objection to termination of pregnancy, or loss of a child from a genetic disease. Repromed is proud to offer PGT via our on-site Genetics Lab.

Our scientists

Our dynamic team of scientists are highly skilled in embryology, genetics and andrology. They are dedicated to delivering the best possible outcomes for you and are always innovating and improving processes to do so.

Our scientists take their role in your fertility journey very seriously. They handle your eggs, sperm and embryos with the utmost care. Although they often work behind the scenes, you can rest assured that during each stage of your fertility journey our dedicated science team are behind you.

During your fertility journey, our scientists are responsible for completing the following processes:

  • In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
  • Freezing of eggs, sperm and embryos
  • Preimplantation genetic testing
  • Warming of eggs, sperm and embryos

Our scientists also assist with egg collections, embryo transfers and other procedures.

Meet our Scientific Director

Repromed’s Scientific Director is part of the Monash IVF Group of Scientific Directors who lead our scientific teams across Australia. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, they ensure we achieve scientific excellence for our patients.

Our Scientific Director is also part of the Monash IVF Group Scientific Advisory Committee. This committee is focused on maintaining leading success rates for our patients. They are dedicated to continuous improvement and establishing and maintaining optimal scientific and laboratory processes. Above all, they are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients.

Prof Deirdre Zander-Fox

Prof Deirdre Zander-Fox
B.SC. (HONS.), PH.D.(MED), DIP.MGT
Chief Scientific Officer, Monash IVF Group

Adjunct Professor (Practice), Monash University and Adjunct A/Prof (Research) University of Adelaide

Professor Deirdre Zander-Fox has worked in Assisted Reproduction since 2004. She completed a Bachelor of Science followed by an Honours degree (First Class) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide. In 2010, she graduated with a PhD in Reproductive Medicine in which she undertook novel research into the impact of in-vitro stress on preimplantation embryo development, viability, and metabolism.

She is currently the Monash IVF Group Chief Scientific Officer. She is currently responsible for the scientific directorship and operations and provision of clinical Embryology, Andrology, Endocrinology, and Genetic Testing services across the group. She is also chair of the Group Scientific Advisory Committee for the Monash IVF Group.

In addition to her clinical roles, Prof Zander-Fox also holds multiple academic positions including adjunct Associate Professor positions at two major Australian Universities (Monash University and University of Adelaide) as well as holding National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) research funding. Through these university affiliations she is involved in multiple collaborative research projects as well as supervision of PhD and honors students.

Prof Zander-Fox has authored a substantial number of peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters with her research primarily focusing on improving laboratory technology that will directly benefit infertile patients including cryopreservation, microinjection technology and culture media design. Her basic research interests focus on the impact of the environment during peri and pre-implantation development on programming fetal growth and offspring health.

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