Monash research students recognised for fertility research at national conference

Dr Shavi Fernando

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health graduate students Dr Shavi Fernando and Ms Molly Johnston were acknowledged for their outstanding research at the Fertility Society of Australia's (FSA) annual conference in Adelaide last month, both winning awards for their oral presentations in their sections.

Final year PhD student Dr Fernando, who is also a Monash Health obstetrician and gynaecologist and Monash University adjunct lecturer, won best clinical paper for his study of melatonin in assisted reproductive technology.

“My study is the first double-blinded placebo controlled randomized dose-finding clinical trial assessing the impact of melatonin on IVF success rates,” Dr Fernando said.

Ms Molly Johnston

Dr Fernando’s research has provided evidence for the first time that melatonin is probably not effective in improving pregnancy rates after IVF.

“I hope this study results in a reduction in the prescription of unnecessary melatonin adjuvant therapy in IVF patients outside a larger clinical trial,” Dr Fernando said. 

“These results should inform larger studies which can now focus on a more optimal dose of melatonin to be tested.”

Dr Fernando said it’s the first time he’s won such a prestigious award and it’s fantastic to receive formal acknowledgement of the hard work that he’s invested in the project.

Meanwhile, Master of Reproductive Sciences student Ms Johnston won best psychosocial paper for her research into the policies governing egg freezing.

The increased success of egg freezing as a method of fertility preservation coincides with a tendency for women in developed nations to postpone childbearing. Taken together, changing social trends and improved egg freezing technologies predict substantial and ongoing interest in the uptake of egg freezing.

Ms Johnston said it’s timely to consider the current policies and to evaluate whether they are appropriate and sufficient to regulate or control access to egg freezing into the next decade and beyond.

“The aim of my research is to critically evaluate the policies that govern access to and funding for egg freezing in Australia, and I’ve found that there appears to be no coherent position about who should be able to access egg freezing, nor which criteria are relevant in deciding this,” Ms Johnston said.

“Across borders differences raise questions about whether the principles that underpin various policies are ethically justified and transparent.”

“The variety of egg freezing policies suggests they lack evidence, are outdated and require serious review.”

Ms Johnston said that in light of the growing interest and uptake of egg freezing for fertility preservation, it’s important that egg freezing policies are regularly reviewed so changes can be made to encompass changing societal opinions and community needs.

Dr Fernando acknowledges the support of his supervisors Professors Euan Wallace and Luk Rombauts, and Ms Johnston thanks her supervisors Drs Giuliana Fuscaldo, Nadine Richings and Sally Catt.