A Prospective Study of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Dr. Marcelle Cedars, Dr. Heather Huddleston
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between genetic and environmental factors that may explain PCOS. We will use information collected during visits to our PCOS clinic and the family history of PCOS patients to learn about the causes and effects of PCOS.

Differences in Response to Infertility Treatments in Asians and Caucasians
Dr. Victor Fujimoto, Dr. Heather Huddleston
This study explores differences in response to infertility treatment between Asians and Caucasians and seeks to understand whether ethnicity has an impact on the success of standard infertility treatment. We are seeking Asian and Caucasian patients who are going through IVF to participate in this study.

NIH-Reproductive Medicine Network Randomized Clinical Trial for embryo culture between 5% and 20% O2 (PhOx)
Dr. Marcelle Cedars
This is a study to determine the best environment in the laboratory for embryos. Standard culture incubators have contained 20% oxygen. More recently, it has been identified that 5% oxygen concentration exists in the fallopian tube and may represent a better environment for embryo culture in the laboratory.  We are part of a multi-center, national, NIH-funded trial to assess pregnancy outcome comparing the two environments. We are seeking to enroll all subjects who plan to undergo an IVF cycle and have completed less than 3 prior cycles.

Impact of Oxidative Stress on Embryo Quality (NIH-funded)
Dr. Victor Fujimoto
The purpose of this study is to identify the presence of particular antioxidant enzymes (traditionally linked to cardiovascular disease) in the fluid that surrounds developing eggs within the ovaries.  We hope to learn how the presence of these enzymes may effect embryo development and quality.  We are seeking subjects who are going through an IVF cycle.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Ovarian Aging
Dr. Marcelle Cedars, Dr. Synthia Mellon
The purpose of this study is to learn if biochemical markers of aging are different in women of different ages and in women with diminished ovarian reserve. We will look at hormones and chemicals that are markers of aging in both the blood and in the cells and fluid that surround a mature egg.  We are seeking subjects who already plan to undergo an IVF cycle.

The Study of Heavy Metals in Assisted Reproductive Technology (SMART): Heavy metal exposure and IVF outcomes
Dr. Victor Fujimoto, Dr. Mary Croughan
The purpose of this study is to learn about the potential role of heavy metal environmental contaminants (mercury-Hg, lead-Pb, and cadmium-Cd) in blood, semen, and follicular fluid (fluid that surrounds the human egg) might influence the ability to create an embryo or a pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Noninvasive assessment of embryo implantation potential using 1H NMR metabonomics (NIH – funded)
Dr. Shehua Shen, Dr. Paolo Rinaudo, Dr. Marcelle Cedars
The purpose of this study is to identify metabolic markers secreted by the embryo into the culture media around the developing embryo that may allow non-invasive selection of implantable embryos.

The Role of IGF in Human Ovary in Vitro
Dr. Linda Giudice
The purpose of this study is to identify what regulates estrogen production by the ovary and how the ovarian follicles (sacs containing eggs) develop during a women’s menstrual cycle. This study involves the study of cells from the ovaries, but not the eggs. During a standard egg retrieval performed during an IVF cycle, fluid and cells are collected from the ovarian follicles using an ultrasound-guided, transvaginal approach. After the egg has been isolated, the excess fluid and cells are usually discarded. If you choose to participate in this study, we will save the fluid that is normally discarded after the eggs have been collected for your treatment.

The Effects of Secreted Embryonic Factors on Human Endometrium
Dr. Linda Giudice
The purpose of this study is to examine the possible importance of factors secreted (released by) from human embryos during the process of implantation. We hope to learn if these factors are secreted into the culture medium (culture medium is the fluid that we place around the developing embryos when we do IVF) of human eggs outside of the human body, and if so, how these factors affect the lining of the uterus. Once the eggs are collected at the time of egg retrieval, they are placed in a dish and mixed with sperm. When fertilization takes place, they are grown in that dish for several days with fluid culture medium bathing the embryos. Then the embryos are either transferred to the uterus or frozen and culture media is routinely discarded. For this study, we request your permission to collect this culture media for research study. We will test the media for any substance secreted by the embryos, and if so, how that substance may affect the lining of the uterus using cells (endometrial cells).

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