Vignette 56: A holistic approach to improving fertility services

Repromed Pty Ltd, the corporate name of the University’s Reproductive Medicine Unit, made notable strides in the field of fertility services. Repromed was established in 1987  and operated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for most of its life. It was acquired by the Adelaide Fertility Centre in 2006.

Repromed facilitated the first frozen artificial insemination program in Australia and achieved IVF pregnancies from sperm injection (ICSI) as well as the genetic diagnosis of  embryos (PGT). The clinic introduced total quality management programs in IVF through ISO 9000, emphasising patient-centric care. With a holistic approach to reproductive health, Repromed was dedicated to reducing the risks of multiple pregnancies. Their research demonstrated that lifestyle interventions can improve natural and IVF pregnancy rates.

They made many other scientific contributions including a new culture medium containing M-CSF (an assisted reproduction ‘add‐on’), preconception lifestyle programs, the use of novel infertility treatment for men, and real-time video microscopy of embryos. Several organisations were influenced by this clinic in their early years, including the Pipette company. 

Money raised by the Repromed program has established the Lloyd Cox Fund in the University, supporting researchers in reproductive biology and medicine. The Repromed Reproductive Health Scholarship is helping to advance the next generation of experts, supporting undergraduate students interested in reproductive health. The Robinson Research Institute continues to make new discoveries and inventions improving the success rates of IVF today.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Nurturing excellence. p.80