Our ability to conduct groundbreaking research both at the bench and at the bedside is what sets us apart from other centers.

The Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center participates in a number of individual and multi-center clinical studies. These studies use new interventions to diagnose and treat any number of conditions related to reproductive endocrinology and infertility, such as ovulation disorders, recurrent miscarriage and male factor infertility.

Contact our research coordinator to learn more:
cipollak@wudosis.wustl.edu

Ongoing studies

Studies ongoing include investigation into:

  • The ACTorNOT TRIAL
    Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PPUL) – a Randomized Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy: Active Treatment versus Expectant Management (No Treatment)This is for stable women with a confirmed PPUL to be randomized to one of three strategies:

    1. Uterine evacuation followed by methotrexate (MTX) for some (those that have evidence of a non-visualized ectopic pregnancy)
    2. Empiric treatment with MTX for all
    3. Expectant management

    **Recruiting from our clinical population only

  • Lifestyle and Ovarian Aging (LORE)
    LORE is a research project working to determine the link between lifestyle factors and fertility. Participants are eligible for a $30 Target gift card. Must complete 3 surveys, a blood draw, and transvaginal ultrasound. Inclusion Criteria:
    – Women ages 18-44
    – History of regular menstrual cycles
    – Not taking birth control pills
    Exclusion Criteria:
    – Currently pregnant
    – History of ovarian surgery, infertility
    – Major chronic disease

     Goal: 200 participants

  • GEMINI (Genetics of Male Infertility Initiative)
    An NIH study established to identify the genetic causes of male infertility. One blood draw. Inclusion
    Criteria:
    – Men 18-55 years old
    – Men with extremely low sperm concentration (<5 million sperm/mL) on semen analysis
    Exclusion Criteria:
    – Obstruction or absence of vas deferens
    – Varicocele
    – History of cryptorchidism
    – Radical pelvic surgery
    – Anejaculation
    – Spinal cord injury
    – Radiation treatments
    – Y chromosome microdeletions (YCMD) or karyotypic abnormalities.Goal: 200 participants
  • Endometrial intervention to improve IVF success rates
    The objective of this study is to find out if endometrial mechanical stimulation (i.e. endometrial biopsy) prior to embryo transfer increases clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Previous studies have shown that mechanical endometrial stimulation prior to embryo transfer may have a positive effect on clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.Inclusion
    Criteria:
    – Women 18-40 years old
    – Normoovulatory women with regular menstrual cycles defined as a cycle duration of 21-35 days will be enrolled.
    – Regular cycles
    Exclusion Criteria:
    -Known EndometriosisGoal: 100 Participants

If you are interested in learning more or enrolling in any of these studies, please contact our research coordinator, Kristina Cipolla, at 314-286-2458 or cipollak@wudosis.wustl.edu.

  • March Of Dimes Prematurity Research Center: Time to deliver.
  • WIHSC
    Inclusion criteria for adult consent:
    1) Pregnant women, emancipated minors who are pregnant, and women who are trying to get pregnant and are seen at The Fertility And Reproductive Medicine Center
    2) Family members or significant others of these women who are enrolled in the WIHSC study.
    Exclusion criteria:
    -Patients with Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and/or HIV/AIDS