Kisspeptin hormone could make IVF safer for mothers

The first woman to have IVF treatment using a pioneering new method developed at Imperial College London has given birth to a baby boy. The new technique uses the natural hormone kisspeptin to stimulate egg development instead of the usual fertility drugs. Doctors hope using kisspeptin will give mothers a lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially life-threatening condition that can be triggered by IVF drugs used now. Suzannah Kidd, who gave birth to baby Heath at Hammersmith Hospital in April, is one of 30 women who have had IVF treatment with kisspeptin in a clinical trial funded by the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research. The results were presented this week at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco. "We have shown that kisspeptin can be used effectively in patients undergoing IVF treatment to more naturally stimulate the release of reproductive hormones and result in a healthy baby," said Professor Waljit Dhillo from Imperial College London, who led the study. "The results of the study are very encouraging and whilst we are primarily looking at women most at risk of developing OHSS, there is the potential that kisspeptin could be used across all IVF treatments as a more natural alternative." Dr Geoffrey Trew , Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at Hammersmith Hospital, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that this study has resulted in the birth of a healthy baby boy.