TIL Desk Lucknow/ City-based Indira IVF has inaugurated a new immunology department to help couples who have faced difficulties on their journey to parenthood. The organisation has introduced Paternal Lymphocyte Immunisation (PLI) therapy to particularly help patients who experience recurrent pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, multiple IUI failure, and recurrent implantation and IVF failure. This is the only such department in the Northern region of the chain of Indira IVF hospitals that will closely cater to patients in the geography, increasing accessibility to reproductive immunology therapy; the other existing centres are in Udaipur, Mumbai, and Patna.
The immune system in the body fights against diseases by identifying foreign substances, that is, cells, viruses, bacteria, fungi and the like which are likely harmful. It destroys them to nullify any disease they may cause; immunology thus, is the study of the immune system. The mother’s immune system can sometimes be a challenge to pregnancy as it may treat the father’s sperms or even the fertilised embryo as a foreign body which is then not accepted by the body for a pregnancy. This immune rejection by the mother’s body is a major cause of unexplained infertility and pregnancy loss.
Paternal Lymphocyte Immunisation is a process wherein the father’s lymphocytes or White Blood Cells (WBC) are introduced into the mother’s body. This helps sensitise the mother’s immune system and build her tolerance to the embryo. It has been found that there is an increase in live birth cases following PLI treatment in such cases.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kshitiz Murdia – CEO & Co-Founder of Indira IVF said, “As per data, 10-15 per cent of couples in India face complications with fertility and the latest National Family Health Survey report has found that the total fertility rate (TFR) in India has dropped below the replacement level of 2 children per woman for the first time. Some of this can be traced to trends such as increased number of people with hypertension, high blood glucose levels, and consumption of tobacco in the state. This can pose as a hindrance to fertility. We are immensely happy to inaugurate the Immunology Department in our centre in Lucknow to help couples in the state and those residing in the Northern belt of India with their treatment.”
Highlighting the importance of PLI treatment, Dr Pawan Yadav of Indira IVF Lucknow said, “With the introduction of our Immunology Department, we will be able to support any couple suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, multiple IUI failure, and recurrent implantation and IVF failure. Research has shown that patients with these complications are 97% more likely to get pregnant. In addition to Indira IVF centres in Udaipur, Borivali (Mumbai) and Patna that have helped patients with PLI, the Lucknow centre will bring this solution close to couples in the Northern belt of India, saving them the financial and mental cost of travelling far.”
Addressing the occasion, Dr Priya Dhurandhar – Chief Immunologist Specialist at Indira IVF said, “In a number of cases—either naturally or through assisted reproductive technology—couples are unable to conceive. A few factors can play a role in this including existing diseases, age of the partners, chromosomal anomalies, and problems during the development of the embryo. It is often not known by couples that one’s immune system can also have a role to play in their infertility. With this initiative at Indira IVF Lucknow, I would like to urge couples who are on the edge of giving up on their dreams of parenthood to be hopeful and allow us to help them.”
Dr Tanya Singh from Indira IVF Lucknow said, “At Indira IVF Lucknow, we are trying to make a real difference by working toward accessible infertility treatments in the country, backed by technological advancements. We are hopeful that with the introduction of reproductive immunology therapy, specifically PLI, can extend our helping hand to even more couples in the region.” Also in attendance in the inauguration were Dr Astha Singh, Dr Manish, and Dr Amit.
Armed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, Indira IVF handholds countless couples helping them navigate the often-complicated journey of infertility and ultimately realise their dream of starting a family altogether. Simultaneously, it also provides counselling and offers facilities for egg and sperm freezing, a boon for several young men and women who choose to delay family planning until they are in their early forties. Thus far, Indira IVF has helped over 100,000 couples with a successful pregnancy throughout its 115 centres.
About Indira IVF
Indira IVF is India’s largest infertility speciality clinics chain with 115 centres across the country, supported by a passionate workforce of over 2,400 people. Indira IVF has performed about 40,000+ IVF procedures – the highest number in the country. As a responsible leader, Indira IVF constantly strives to dispel the stigma, taboo, myths and misinformation about infertility. Indira IVF is also committed to developing and grooming talent for fertility treatments. Through the Indira Fertility Academy it collaborates with like-minded organisations and institutions to further this cause. Having perceived the potential of Indira IVF in the sector, TA Associates, a leading global equity firm from the U.S., invested in the organisation in 2019. Indira IVF was founded in the year 2011 in Udaipur, Rajasthan by Dr Ajay Murdia.
