News | Simple swab test could improve IVF success, Swedish study reports major advance
A new clinical study from Lund University shows that a woman's genetic profile before in vitro fertilization (IVF) can indicate which ovarian-stimulation hormone is more suitable. The team also developed a simple oral swab test that identifies the appropriate hormone regimen within one hour, potentially improving IVF success and reducing side effects.
Project leader Professor Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman of Lund University noted that about 15% of couples of reproductive age worldwide have difficulty conceiving naturally. "About 1 million IVF cycles are performed in Europe each year and about 25,000 in Sweden," she said. Ovarian stimulation is a key step in IVF, yet measurable criteria for personalized drug selection remain lacking.
Clinicians mainly choose between biologic and synthetic stimulation hormones, which differ substantially. Hormonal stimulation carries risks: some women develop severe ovarian hyperstimulation and may require intensive care, while about 75% of IVF attempts overall do not succeed. First author Ida Hjelmér said that selecting a hormone regimen still partly involves "guesswork."
Large study of 1,466 IVF patients: an FSHR gene variant guides the best medication
The study enrolled 1,466 women undergoing IVF, excluding those with endometriosis or PCOS. Of these, 475 were randomly assigned to different hormone treatments, while the others formed a control population. The team focused on the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR), which is central to the action of FSH.
Genetic sequencing showed:
Women with a specific FSHR variant responded better to biologic hormones
Women without the variant were better suited to synthetic hormones
"Knowing the genotype in advance allows us to match each woman with the most effective hormone regimen," Giwercman said.
Genotype-matched treatment increased live births by 38%—110 more babies per 1000 women
The team reported clear results:
When hormone treatment matched genotype:
Pregnancy numbers increased significantly
Live births increased by 38% in relative terms
Among 1000 women, this would mean 110 additional babies—about "four preschool classes"
This is one of the largest and most clinically relevant studies of gene-guided hormone selection in IVF to date.
Traditional genetic testing is costly and slow; the new test gives results in one hour
Because sequencing is expensive and time-consuming, the team developed an oral swab test based on a genetic-site reaction for rapid clinical use.
Key features include:
Simple sampling: a swab inside the cheek
Short processing time: completed within 1 hour
No specialized equipment: results are read visually as pink or yellow
Target launch: early 2026
The team has filed a patent and founded Dx4Life AB to commercialize the product, with support from LU Innovation, LU Ventures and SmiLe Incubator.
"We hope to reduce the physical and emotional burden of IVF, improve success rates and reduce the use of healthcare resources," Giwercman said.
News | Simple swab test could improve IVF success, Swedish study reports major advance
News | Simple swab test could improve IVF success, Swedish study reports major advance
A new clinical study from Lund University shows that a woman's genetic profile before in vitro fertilization (IVF) can indicate which ovarian-stimulation hormone is more suitable. The team also developed a simple oral swab test that identifies the appropriate hormone regimen within one hour, potentially improving IVF success and reducing side effects.
Project leader Professor Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman of Lund University noted that about 15% of couples of reproductive age worldwide have difficulty conceiving naturally. "About 1 million IVF cycles are performed in Europe each year and about 25,000 in Sweden," she said. Ovarian stimulation is a key step in IVF, yet measurable criteria for personalized drug selection remain lacking.
Clinicians mainly choose between biologic and synthetic stimulation hormones, which differ substantially. Hormonal stimulation carries risks: some women develop severe ovarian hyperstimulation and may require intensive care, while about 75% of IVF attempts overall do not succeed. First author Ida Hjelmér said that selecting a hormone regimen still partly involves "guesswork."
Large study of 1,466 IVF patients: an FSHR gene variant guides the best medication
The study enrolled 1,466 women undergoing IVF, excluding those with endometriosis or PCOS. Of these, 475 were randomly assigned to different hormone treatments, while the others formed a control population. The team focused on the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR), which is central to the action of FSH.
Genetic sequencing showed:
Women with a specific FSHR variant responded better to biologic hormones
Women without the variant were better suited to synthetic hormones
"Knowing the genotype in advance allows us to match each woman with the most effective hormone regimen," Giwercman said.
Genotype-matched treatment increased live births by 38%—110 more babies per 1000 women
The team reported clear results:
When hormone treatment matched genotype:
Pregnancy numbers increased significantly
Live births increased by 38% in relative terms
Among 1000 women, this would mean 110 additional babies—about "four preschool classes"
This is one of the largest and most clinically relevant studies of gene-guided hormone selection in IVF to date.
Traditional genetic testing is costly and slow; the new test gives results in one hour
Because sequencing is expensive and time-consuming, the team developed an oral swab test based on a genetic-site reaction for rapid clinical use.
Key features include:
Simple sampling: a swab inside the cheek
Short processing time: completed within 1 hour
No specialized equipment: results are read visually as pink or yellow
Target launch: early 2026
The team has filed a patent and founded Dx4Life AB to commercialize the product, with support from LU Innovation, LU Ventures and SmiLe Incubator.
"We hope to reduce the physical and emotional burden of IVF, improve success rates and reduce the use of healthcare resources," Giwercman said.
Story source:
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