A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate.
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Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy".
Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF".
She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades".
"However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective."
The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF".
Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate.
The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry.
Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing.
"We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said.
Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe.
"The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said.
The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system.
"She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said.
As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world".
"Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said.
"We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world."
They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF".
She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field.
"One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said.
She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe.
She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech".
"The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said.
She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results".
However, human research was "still at an early stage".
"We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said.
"We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally."
The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm".
"This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common.
"It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular."
