San Diego, CA - June 7, 2005 - – A study presented in San Diego at ENDO 2005, the 87th Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society, has found that in vitro fertilization (IVF) children are taller than normal with increased levels of growth stimulating hormones and have a more favorable lipid profile, suggesting that IVF has altered gene imprinting in these children.

The study, conducted by Dr. Harriet Miles, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, looked at the endocrine and metabolic consequences of IVF conception in childhood. Studies in animals have shown that the culture of pre-implantation mammalian embryos can affect the expression of imprinted genes involved in growth regulation, including insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF II).

The long-term outcome of children conceived by IVF is unknown. However a nine-fold increase in imprinted gene disorders, such as Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome, has been reported.

The study hypothesized that IVF results in altered methylation of imprinted genes involved in growth and metabolism leading to measurable changes in the phenotype and hormonal profile in mid-childhood. This hypothesis was supported by these results.

Researchers evaluated healthy, pre-pubertal children born at term following single pregnancies. Subjects comprised 50 children conceived using IVF with fresh embryo transfer and 60 naturally conceived controls. Anthropometric measurements, bone age, DEXA scan (Lunar prodigy 2000), fasting serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, IGF I, IGF II, IGFBP3 and GHBP were performed.

As expected children born following IVF were born slightly earlier with a lower birth weight. Surprisingly they were also taller than controls when evaluated for their projected height based on their parents’. There were sexual differences with IVF girls being taller than IVF boys. The IVF group had higher levels of serum IGF I, IGF II and IGFBP3. IVF children also had higher HDL levels, suggesting they are at less risk for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, lower triglyceride levels and a trend toward lower LDL levels, the un-healthy cholesterol. There was no significant difference in fasting insulin or body composition.

“We speculate that IVF has altered imprinting in these children and that aspects of this alteration are manifested in growth and lipid regulating genes, resulting in differences between the two groups,” said Dr. Miles.

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Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society’s membership consists of over 12,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at www.endo-society.org.

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Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Md. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at www.endo-society.org.