Can NMN support embryo development?
Genea is participating in a world-class research trial investigating whether a naturally occurring compound called NMN can support embryo development during IVF. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to advancing the science behind fertility care.
Pioneering the next step in embryo science
In collaboration with scientists at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Genea is investigating whether adding NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide, a naturally occurring form of niacin) to embryo culture media can improve embryo development during IVF. The trial began in Japan, and Genea is now excited to be participating in the Australian arm of the study.
What is the purpose of the trial?
The trial has two main hypotheses:
- That NMN can support embryo metabolism, improving the rate at which fertilised eggs develop to the blastocyst stage (the point at which embryos are ready for transfer or freezing)
- That this metabolic support may also reduce chromosomal abnormalities in embryos, known as aneuploidy, one of the leading causes of unsuccessful IVF cycles
The science behind NMN and cellular energy is genuinely exciting, and the question of whether it could improve embryo development is one that has real implications for patients. Being part of the Australian arm of this trial puts Genea at the forefront of an emerging area of reproductive research, and that is exactly where we want to be. - Dean Morbeck, Chief Scientific Officer at Genea Fertility Sydney
What is NMN, and how is it relevant to IVF?
NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in foods such as broccoli, edamame, and avocado. It is a form of niacin (vitamin B3) and plays a role in the production of NAD+, a molecule that directly influences how cells generate and use energy.
The research investigates whether adding NMN directly to the embryo culture medium (the solution in which embryos grow in the lab) could support embryo development in ways that improve IVF outcomes. The hypothesis is that by increasing NAD+ availability within developing cells, NMN may help embryos generate energy more efficiently during the critical stages of cell division.
This matters because chromosomal errors, a leading cause of unsuccessful IVF cycles, occur most commonly during cell division, when energy demands are highest. When cells lack sufficient energy to divide correctly, an embryo can develop with an incorrect number of chromosomes, a condition known as aneuploidy. Aneuploidy becomes more common as we age, and it is one of the hardest problems in reproductive medicine to address because it occurs before we have access to the egg. By supporting the energy pathways available to a developing embryo, NMN may help reduce the rate at which these errors occur.
It is early-stage research, and the mechanism is not yet fully established, but the hypothesis is grounded in a growing body of evidence on how NAD+ availability influences cell health and division across a range of biological contexts.
How does this research fit with genetic testing?
Preimplantation genetic testing is already one of the most powerful tools available in IVF. Screening embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer helps specialists select the embryo most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.
But PGT can only be performed on embryos that develop, and for patients with very few embryos, testing may not be recommended at all. Biopsying an embryo carries a small risk, and when there are limited embryos to work with, a specialist may advise against testing to avoid compromising the only option available for transfer.
This is where the NMN trial becomes significant. Rather than identifying abnormalities after they occur, it investigates whether embryonic development can be supported in a way that reduces the rate at which abnormalities arise in the first place and ultimately may increase the number of embryos that successfully reach the stage at which testing is possible.
Our commitment to the science behind fertility
Genea has been conducting and participating in IVF research since its founding by Professor Robert Jansen in 1986. The NMN trial is one of several active research projects we are involved in as part of our ongoing efforts to advance the science behind fertility care.
This is an active research trial, not a standard clinical offering. If you have questions about our research participation or want to understand how Genea's approach to science could support your fertility journey, our team is here to help.
Find out more about Genea’s research
- Read about our world-first study into NK cells and their role in patients' IVF outcomes.
FAQs
The NMN research trial is a research collaboration between Genea and scientists at UNSW investigating whether adding NMN, a naturally occurring compound, to embryo culture media can support embryo development during IVF. The trial began in Japan, and Genea is participating in Australia.
Aneuploidy is the term for an embryo developing with an incorrect number of chromosomes. It is one of the leading causes of unsuccessful IVF cycles and is more common as we age.
Chromosomal abnormalities most commonly occur during the final stages of egg maturation and the first cell divisions after fertilisation. They are not caused by anything a patient does, and are not related to lifestyle or health factors. The most significant contributor is age. As eggs age, the cellular machinery responsible for dividing chromosomes correctly becomes less reliable. This is why aneuploidy becomes more common as we get older and is one of the reasons IVF success rates decline with age.
Yes, PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy) screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer, helping specialists select the embryo most likely to result in a successful pregnancy. It does not prevent abnormalities from occurring; it identifies which embryos are affected so that unaffected embryos can be prioritised for transfer. The NMN trial takes a different approach, investigating whether embryo development can be supported in a way that reduces the rate of abnormalities in the first place.
PGT identifies which embryos are chromosomally normal, but it only works with embryos that develop. If a patient produces few embryos, or few reach the blastocyst stage, there may be limited options to select from. Research like this trial aims to improve the quality and number of embryos that develop successfully, giving patients and PGT more to work with.