Twins Born with the help
of IVF Technology

By C. Zamutt
Technical Sales Representative
Diagnostic Products Corporation

Since beginning to work for DPC as a technical sales representative in 1983, I witnessed many technical advances in treatments for infertility. During these years, our company worked closely with facilities specializing in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to optimize assays for reproductive hormones. I never thought that I would personally benefit from these technologies.

My wife, Jeanne, and I married later in life, at ages 39 and 40, respectively. After three months of trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant, we decided to discuss our possible infertility problem with our doctor. Since we were older, the options available to us would be decreasing. We knew that for women 35-39 years of age, the infertility rate increases to 25%.

The physician looked at three important areas in pregnancy determination: ovulation, fallopian tube competency, and sperm count. The fallopian tube and sperm count analyses were normal, so my wife underwent hormone tests using the DPC IMMULITE®. Her prolactin and thyrotropin (TSH) values were normal, but her follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level was slightly high at 13 mIU/mL, pointing to abnormal ovulation. Our doctor prescribed clomiphene in an attempt to stimulate her ovaries. Over the course of three months, increasing clomiphene dosages proved unsuccessful. Next, we were referred to a reproductive endocrinologist.

We went to the Center for Assisted Reproduction in Bedford, Texas, for treatment by Drs. Kathleen and Kevin Doody. Their facility has an excellent success rate with infertility problems and offers many treatment options. First, doctors performed a hepatitis screen, HIV, and rubella tests. After four unsuccessful ovarian stimulation cycles, we decided to participate in the oocyte donation program. My cousin through marriage, Tanya, said that she wanted to help us to have a child by being our oocyte donor.

After thorough examinations, both women began two weeks of Lupron injections to suppress ovarian function and synchronize their cycles. While continuing Lupron, Jeanne began oral estrogen to prepare her endometrium for embryo implantation. At the same time, Tanya began injections of purified FSH to stimulate follicular development. On day 5 of her cycle, the laboratory began estradiol measurements using the IMMULITE. Tanya's follicular development was monitored daily by sonogram and estradiol measurements. By day 10, Tanya had produced 18 follicles and her estradiol value was 2,100 pg/mL. About 35 hours before egg retrieval, she was given an injection of hCG to mature the eggs and induce ovulation. Dr. Kathleen Doody retrieved 18 eggs from Tanya's ovaries.

Our embryologist called two days later with the exciting news that we had a 67% fertilization rate. On the third day after the IVF procedure began, Jeanne began progesterone injections while continuing the oral estrogens to create the proper environment for the embryos. On day 11 following transfer, Jeanne's HCG level was 300 mIU/mL, usually indicative of a multiple pregnancy. Two weeks later, the sonogram showed two healthy heartbeats and fetal sacs. We were going to have twins. Matthew and Emma Zamutt were born on February 28, 1997. They truly are DPC babies.