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Research conducted at Boston IVF demonstrated that hormone levels found in saliva using the Salimetrics estradiol kit correlate with the hormone levels in blood. Boston IVF further developed laboratory procedures, assays ...
Boston IVF, a leading medical practice providing specialized infertility treatment since 1986, announced it has introduced the first needle-free saliva test that will replace daily blood tests needed to monitor infertility treatment.
The salivary estradiol immunoassay kits used by the Boston IVF laboratory will be supplied by Salimetrics. Following nearly two years of research, results confirmed that the hormone estradiol, traditionally measured in blood, can also be accurately measured in saliva, virtually eliminating the need for daily blood testing during a patient?s treatment cycle.
A typical in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle includes eight to 12 days of hormone therapy to stimulate a woman?s egg production and up to seven blood draws to measure estradiol levels.
?Infertility treatment can be very stressful and physically demanding for patients. By replacing daily blood draws with a very simple, patient-friendly saliva test, we can eliminate some of the challenges and painful needle sticks and make treatment more convenient,? said Michael M. Alper, MD, Medical Director, Boston IVF.
?Based on this new technology our doctors can accurately monitor a patient?s hormone response to therapy and manage treatment without requiring invasive blood work.?
Patients can collect saliva at home in less than five minutes, and drop off their sample for analysis each morning. Results from saliva testing are available the same day.
Research conducted at Boston IVF demonstrated that hormone levels found in saliva using the Salimetrics estradiol kit correlate with the hormone levels in blood. Boston IVF further developed laboratory procedures, assays and the collection process that comprise this diagnostic breakthrough. Boston IVF is the first IVF Center in the world to offer this needle-free option for blood monitoring.
?Our patients are very excited about saliva testing, as it saves them time, is more convenient and eliminates the anxiety and discomfort that we all know to be associated with blood draws,? added Alper. ?They now simply drop off their saliva sample in the morning on their way to work, and we call them in the afternoon with their results.?
A typical infertility treatment cycle requires hormone therapy to stimulate the production of eggs (oocytes) in a woman?s ovaries. By measuring female hormone levels, including estradiol (E2), doctors can monitor a patient?s response to therapy. Previously, patients were required to have daily blood work throughout the treatment cycle to monitor these hormone levels.
Founded in 1998, Salimetrics, LLC supports researchers, the immunodiagnostic industry, and functional testing laboratories around the world with innovative salivary immunoassay products and services.