Supportive measures

Micronutrients for women who want to have children

  • Folate (400–800 µg/day, ideally as active 5-MTHF): reduces the risk of neural tube defects, improves egg maturation and homocysteine metabolism.
  • Vitamin D3 (depending on levels, usually 5000 IU/day): deficiency is common, important for hormone regulation, implantation, and immunomodulation.
  • Iron (if ferritin < 40 ng/ml, target value > 70): iron deficiency impairs ovulation and implantation
  • Iodine (150–200 µg/day, if no thyroid disease): important for the thyroid gland and early embryonic development.
  • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) 2000 mg/day: improves egg quality, reduces inflammation, important during pregnancy.
  • Vitamin B complex: for methylation and DNA synthesis.
  • Magnesium glycinate 300 mg/day
  • Q10 (ubiquinol, 100–300 mg/day): can support mitochondrial energy supply in the eggs

Useful supplements depending on the situation:

  • Myo-inositol (2–4 g/day): particularly helpful for PCOS, improves insulin sensitivity, cycle regulation, and egg quality.
  • Alpha-lipoic acid (300–600 mg/day): antioxidant, improves insulin sensitivity (especially in PCOS, insulin resistance).
  • Vitamin E (200–400 IU/day, preferably as mixed tocopherols/tocotrienols) improves endometrial blood flow, antioxidant.
  • L-arginine (3–6 g/day) improves blood flow to the endometrium, important for implantation.
  • Zinc, selenium: antioxidant, improves thyroid function.

Micronutrients for men who want to have children

  • Zinc (10–25 mg/day): important for spermatogenesis and testosterone
  • Selenium (100–200 µg/day): antioxidant, improves sperm motility.
  • Vitamin D 5000 IU/day: promotes testosterone production.
  • Folate: (400–800 µg/day): DNA synthesis during spermatogenesis.
  • Magnesium glycinate 300 mg/day 

Useful supplements depending on the situation:

  • Vitamin C + E: Protection against oxidative stress in sperm.
  • L-carnitine (1–3 g/day): Improves sperm motility and count.
  • Coenzyme Q10 (100–300 mg/day): Antioxidant, improves energy supply to sperm.
  • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Increases sperm quality.

Intralipid LIMO

If the female immune system has an increased proportion of natural killer cells, treatment with Intralipid may be promising. Intralipid is an intravenous, soybean oil-based vegetable emulsion that was actually developed for the artificial (intravenous) nutrition of people who can no longer swallow and has been routinely used for years in post-surgical aftercare, among other things. It does not contain any blood derivatives such as immunoglobulins. The exact molecular mechanism of action is still unknown. Intralipid suppresses the activity of natural killer cells. Various studies have shown that this type of therapy can have a positive effect on both implantation and live birth rates. Intralipid does not work immediately. Therefore, the first infusion should be started in the pre-cycle of artificial insemination, with the second infusion taking place during follicular puncture. Several studies have shown that in 99 percent of patients, natural killer cells were suppressed just one week after the second infusion. In the event of a positive pregnancy test, treatment can be continued every four weeks until the 12th week of pregnancy, depending on the situation.

IG-Vena

An IG Vena infusion is used as part of fertility treatment to support the immune system and prepare the mother's immune system for pregnancy. Immunomodulatory substances such as immunoglobulins (IG) are administered intravenously. The aim is to promote a balanced ratio of immune cells, which supports the implantation of the fertilized egg and can reduce repeated miscarriages. The infusion is carried out individually according to a diagnostic plan and under medical supervision. IG Vena infusions can be a useful addition to other fertility treatments, especially in cases of proven immunological disorders or an increased risk of implantation problems.

Omegaven

Omegaven infusion is used in fertility treatment to regulate the immune system and prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. Special nutrients and immunomodulatory substances are administered intravenously. The aim is to promote the implantation of the fertilized egg and reduce repeated implantation problems. The infusion is administered individually after a detailed diagnosis and under medical supervision. Omegaven infusions can be a valuable addition to other therapeutic measures, especially for couples with proven immunological disorders or an increased risk of miscarriage, in order to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Embryogen/BlastGen

EmbryoGen and BlastGen promote communication between the endometrium and the embryo

  • EmbryoGen® is a culture medium for embryos from the two-cell to eight-cell stage (days 1 to 3),
  • BlastGenTM is for the cultivation of embryos from the four-cell stage to the blastocyst stage (days 4 to 5).

Both media contain the growth factor GM-CSF, thus creating a more physiological environment for embryo development in the laboratory. EmbryoGen® and BlastGenTM are recommended for women with recurrent biochemical pregnancies, recurrent implantation failure, and unexplained infertility. Please contact our team if you have any questions!

Calcium ionophore

Calcium ionophore application is an advanced technique in assisted reproduction that is used in particular for problems with egg activation. Calcium ionophores specifically increase the flow of calcium into the egg, which can improve egg activation and thus fertilization. This procedure is mainly used for couples with repeated fertilization problems or poor egg activity. The treatment is carried out in the laboratory during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI and is carefully monitored to create optimal conditions for the egg. The aim is to increase the chances of fertilization and thus the success of assisted reproduction.

Assisted hatching

The egg cell and embryo are surrounded by a thin cell shell. On the sixth day after fertilisation, the embryo leaves the shell and tries to implant into the uterus. Depending on the age of the woman, endometriosis or other diseases, this shell can be hardened so the embryo cannot ‘hatch’. Therefore, it remains trapped in the shell and the implantation cannot take place, so pregnancy does not occur.

Using laser technology, the shell can be lightly seared under the microscope (up to roughly the middle) to help the embryo hatch. This process is called assisted hatching and it is routinely used on embryos in our Kinderwunsch Institut in Linz as required.

Implantation flushing

Male ejaculate consists of sperm cells and seminal plasma. Seminal plasma is produced in the prostate and acts as a carrier fluid for the sperm cells. Seminal plasma contains substances that “manipulate” the female immune system, meaning that the ejaculate and the resulting embryo are not recognized as “foreign bodies” by the woman's immune system and are therefore not rejected. If, during fertility treatment, it becomes apparent that an implantation flush increases the chances of pregnancy for the patient, the procedure is as follows: the partner obtains sperm through masturbation and delivers it to the laboratory of the Dr. Loimer Fertility Institute. The sperm is separated from the seminal plasma in a centrifuge and then inserted into the patient's uterine cavity via a catheter to support embryo implantation. 

Embryoglue

EmbryoGlue® is enriched with carbohydrates and amino acids to support the embryo during transfer and implantation. It has a relatively high concentration of hyaluronic acid and also contains the safest protein source available today, namely recombinant albumin. Many patients benefit from EmbryoGlue® when undergoing IVF treatment. Studies show that the use of EmbryoGlue® increases the implantation rate for various diagnoses. EmbryoGlue® treatment at our clinic in Linz has proven to be particularly beneficial for patients over 35 years of age, with previous unsuccessful implantation and unexplained infertility.

Implantation curettage/endometrial scratching

Some studies have shown that endometrial scratching can improve the chances of implantation (chances of becoming pregnant) and the further development of the pregnancy. Scratching involves lightly scratching the lining of the uterus and is performed during the luteal phase before a planned embryo transfer. The small, localized injury to the uterine lining activates the immune system to release growth hormones and cytokines. These play an important role in the interaction between the prepared uterine lining and the developed embryo during implantation. However, the exact mechanism of action is not yet known. The procedure is usually painless and can be performed without anesthesia. In principle, endometrial scratching is possible at our clinic in Linz before every embryo transfer and is particularly recommended for patients with implantation failure.

PRP rinsing

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) rinsing is a modern procedure in the field of fertility treatment that is used particularly in cases of repeated implantation problems. The patient's own blood is taken and the plasma with a high concentration of blood platelets is extracted. This plasma contains growth factors that can promote regeneration and blood flow in the uterine lining. The PRP is then carefully introduced into the uterus to strengthen the lining and support the implantation of a fertilized egg. The aim of the method is to increase the chances of pregnancy, especially for couples who have previously had difficulties with implantation.

Zymot sperm selection

Zymot sperm selection is a modern procedure for selecting particularly healthy and motile sperm for artificial insemination methods such as IVF or ICSI. The sperm are separated using a special filtering and centrifugation process so that the sperm with the best motility and optimal DNA quality are used for fertilization. The aim is to increase the chances of successful fertilization and implantation and to reduce the risk of miscarriage. Zymot sperm selection can be particularly useful in cases of poor sperm quality or repeated failed IVF attempts, effectively complementing other reproductive medicine measures.
 

TCM

The accompanying treatment of both female and male infertility in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) has always played an important role in China. In order to achieve professional and satisfactory treatment, it is necessary to clarify the cause(s) of infertility in accordance with Western conventional medicine and to present the corresponding clinical findings. Relevant information such as menstrual history, hormone status, tubal status, temperature curve, sperm analysis, accompanying pathologies such as endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, fibroids, etc. are important for tailoring the therapy. In China and Taiwan, there is close cooperation between Western medicine and TCM. Some patients also require regular acupuncture therapy. Depending on the Western and Eastern diagnosis of infertility, the duration of treatment is at least 3–6 menstrual cycles.

If you are interested, we recommend that you contact Dr. Ngoc LEVAN, TCM Practice, Bischofstraße 5, 4020 Linz, n.levan@tcm-dienchan.at, www.tcm-dienchan.at, Tel. +43 650 70 70 6