Our Research

Recent advances in the treatment of infertility are almost a daily news story. Medfem Fertility Clinic takes an active role in conducting clinical research to be on the cutting edge of tomorrow’s standard procedures.

Our research also allows us to validate and prove new techniques before applying to our clients’ treatment plans.

The primary focus of our studies is infertility using In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) techniques. Studies on Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), IVF, IUI, and male infertility have been the major emphasis of our research efforts.

We are also active members of several medical societies.

Membership of Societies

1993 – 2001 Southern Society of Reproductive Biology
1996 – 2005 South African Semen and Embryo Group (SASEG)
1988 – Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
1990 – South African Medical and Dental Council
2007 – Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy SASREG
2008 – Special Interest Group
2012 – American Society of Reproductive Medicine
2011 – European Society of Human Reproduction and Medicine
2013 – South African Register of Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Presentations

  • Esterhuizen AD. Preimplantation and cryopreservation services in the IVF Lab. Johannesburg Fertility Mini Conference, Bryanston County Club, 8th June 2013
  • Esterhuizen AD. The application of Hyaluronan in ART. Origio International Annual Meeting. Skepperholmen, Stockholm, Sweden. 1-3 July 2011
  • Esterhuizen AD. Semenology and Assisted Reproduction Advanced Technique Workshop. Current and Future Trends in ART (Assisted Reproduction Techniques). Khartoum Fertility Centre, Khartoum, Sudan. 1-5 February 2011
  • Esterhuizen AD. Semenology and Assisted Reproduction Advanced Technique Workshop. Preimplantation Genetic Testing/Diagnosis in Assisted Reproduction. Khartoum Fertility Centre, Khartoum, Sudan. 1-5 February 2011
  • Esterhuizen AD. Monthly Meeting Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis the Past and the Future. Steve Biko Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. April 2011
  • Esterhuizen AD. Semenology and Assisted Reproduction Advance Techniques Workshop. Khartoum, Sudan. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis. February 2011
  • Esterhuizen AD. Semenology and Assisted Reproduction Advance Techniques Workshop. Khartoum, Sudan. New Techniques in Assisted Reproduction. February 2011
  • Esterhuizen AD. Report on WARM Conference, Russia, Moscow. Special Interest Group (SIG). Johannesburg. November 2010
  • Esterhuizen AD. Potholes of IVF Legislation. UNISA (University of South Africa), Pretoria, South Africa. September 2010
    Esterhuizen AD. Cytoskeleton in oocytes and Embryos. Special Interest Group (SIG). Johannesburg. November 2008
  • Esterhuizen AD. South African Sisters Fertility Conference, Irene, Pretoria. Gender Selection. September 2006
  • Esterhuizen AD. Belgian/ Dutch/ South African Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Spier Conference Centre, Cape Town. Apoptosis and Frozen Sperm. January 2005
  • Cassim A and Esterhuizen AD. Belgian/ Dutch/ South African Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Spier Conference Centre, Cape Town. Apoptosis and sperm morphological subtypes. January 2005
  • Esterhuizen AD. Devision of Urology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. New developments in ART. May 2004
  • Esterhuizen AD. Importance of semen analysis. Monthly Specialist Meeting, Bryanston, Johannesburg, April 2003

Poster Presentations

Bosman E, Rodrigues FA, and Esterhuizen AD. Improvement of DNA packaging in sperm of IVF patients after nutrient supplement treatment. IFFS 2007, Durban South Africa, 2007.

Publications

  • Bosman E, Esterhuizen AD, Rodrigues FA, Becker PJ, Hoffmann WA. The influence of male hyperinsulinaemia on IVF outcome. Submitted: June 2013 Andrologia
  • Bosman E, Esterhuizen AD, Rodrigues FA, Becker PJ, Hoffmann WA.
  • Prevalence of hyperinsulinaemia among normozoospermic donors at Medfem Clinic, South Africa
  • Andrologia, 2013;45:1,18-25
  • Esterhuizen AD, Franken DR, Bosman E, Rodrigues FA, Lombard C. Relationship between the sperm-hyaluronan binding assay, conventional semen parameters and fertilization rate in intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Submitted: June 2013 Andrologia
  • Van Rensburg JH, Esterhuizen AD, Bosman E, Rodrigues FA, Van Schouwenburg JAM. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: The past and the present. The Specialist Forum. Specialist Medicine, 2007:7;20-24

In Collaboration With Universities

Co-supervisor of post Graduate Studies

  • Wolff Vicky, The role of preimplantation genetic screening in assisted reproduction, MTech Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tswane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa, 2013?
  • Roos Jeandri, Identification, and removal of non-sperm cells from seminal fluid. MSc, Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, South Africa 2012
  • Bosman E, The influence of insulin on male fertility: semen parameters, hormonal profiles, invitro fertilization (IVF) outcome and mitochondrial activity. DTech: Biomedical Technology; Tswane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa, 2006 –
  • Abbu Hassan Abu D, Separation techniques for X and Y chromosome bearing human spermatozoa. Magister Technologiae: Biomedical Technology; Tswane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa, 2005
  • Raja K, The influence of sex chromosomes on the outcome of human embryo development. Magister in Reproductive Biology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa, 2005
  • Fouche Annie, The influence of different agents on the nuclear decondensation ability and morphology of normal human spermatozoa. BSc Hon, Department Anatomy, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, 2004

External Examinator

  • TUT (Tswane University of Technology): Fourth Years, 2008 – 2014
  • Bloemfontein Technicon: Fourth Years, 2006
  • University of Stellenbosch, 2012 – 2014

Research Projects

Products:

  • Seaforia™ Sperm Separation System – controlled study to determine this sperm preparation technique on sperm parameters
  • SURELIFE Syringe Kit is a Simple Single Step Swim-up method –evaluate for the of AIH samples
  • Pro-Insert semen preparation technique to contain contamination
  • Gradients: SupraSperm, PureSperm, SpermGrad
  • Sperm Mobil, pentoxifylline, prolonged periods of incubation with protein enrich medium and temperature as motility enhancer
  • Sperm freezing medium Origio, Test Yolk Buffer, Sydney IVF Sperm Cryopreservation Buffer
  • Culture outcome with Cook, Origio, Global Total sequential culture media and one step media
  • The effect on oocyte development using Hyaluronidase versus cumulase for stripping
  • Success rate of patients undergoing ICSI using Spermslow versus PVP
  • Compare incubating conditions according to different brand incubators: Thermo, MINC, Planner Origio, Labotect.
  • Vapor storage compared to Liquid Nitrogen Phase

Techniques:

  • Detecting VOC’c in culture environment and improve accordingly
  • Techniques to reduce viscosity in semen – mechanical, bromelase, hyaluronidase and alha amylase
  • Activation of oocytes; Use Ca++ Ionophore, modified ICSI technique -vigorously aspirate cytoplasm up and down at different locations
  • FISH on sperm
  • PGT and FISH (9 chromosomes – Chromosomes 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, X and Y) on Day 3 embryos for the since 2004
  • Day 3 embryos and/or Trophectoderm Biopsy – evaluation using FISH (aneuploidy) or aCGH since 2009 for single gene defects, aneuploidy, restricted deletions, and translocations)
  • CMA3 to determine sperm DNA packaging
  • HBA application in ART
  • JC-1 dye as an indicator of mitochondrial membrane potential in sperm – apoptosis
  • TUNEL – Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) is a method for detecting DNA fragmentation in sperm
  • Sperm vapour freezing versus vitrification
  • The effect of different cleaning material (0.1%7X soap, 70% Ethanol, FertiSafe and Oosafe) in ART
  • Comparison between Cook oocyte vitrification, Kitazato and VitroLife vitrification method
  • Commercially available PICSI compared to Medfem Spermslow sperm selection
  • Techniques to prepare testicular biopsies, teasing, cell strainer, spatula, enzymatic collagenase
  • TUP – on Day 5 embryos to assist with expansion
  • AMH to predict ovarian reserve
  • Progesterone to determine ET or freezing embryos
  • Mini-IVF
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