London (PTI): Scientists have identified a revolutionary fertility test that doubles the chances of pregnancy, a development that offers new hope to childless couples.

The new technique, called comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH), for screening embryos for genetic defects during IVF more than doubles the chances that the embryo will implant in the mother's womb, according to a pilot study by UK and US researchers, who are set to present their findings to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine's annual conference in San Francisco.

It showed the chances of an embryo implanting in the womb were 62 per cent - more than double the 27 per cent rate expected. The test helps identify the healthiest embryos for use in IVF treatment and could cut the risk of twins or triplets.

Dagan Wells, of the Reprogenetics UK Clinic and the University of Oxford, whose team analyses DNA extracted from embryos at a Colorado clinic, said the findings were "dramatic".

"The pregnancy rates we've got so far are absolutely phenomenal. We're ready to begin a trial in the UK," said Wells, who led the study.

According to the report in the Mail online, an infertile woman is about to become the first to give birth following a full ovary transplant.

Wells's team tested the CGH method in 23 women aged 30-42, and transferred 50 embryos. After screening and embryo transfer, 20 of the women became pregnant.

Scientists hope to get permission from the fertility regulator to offer it to women within the next few months. They are on track to offer the technique to couples for around 2,000 pounds in addition to the cost of IVF treatment.