View clinical trials related to Infertility.
Filter by:Although much is known about the microenvironment of the gut and the vagina, very little has been published on the microenvironment of the seminal plasma. The seminal plasma is the support fluid for sperm, providing nutrients, facilitating sperm transit to the uterus, and promoting fertilization. It is a rich area of research for markers of fertility and treatment targets. The investigators hypothesize that (1) there are significant populations of seminal microorganisms associated with seminal leukocyte counts well below the WHO's cutoff for pyospermia (1 million/mL) that were not previously detected by traditional culturing methods, and (2) there are pathologic populations of bacteria within the gut and semen microbiome which negatively impact overall fertility, by directly or indirectly impairing hormone status. Participants will be recruited from the Male Fertility practice at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC). All participants will have infertility, diagnosed as an inability to conceive pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. The normal evaluation of these participants is to obtain at least one semen analysis and bloodwork investigating their endocrine profile: total testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and albumin. Semen volume is typically >1 mL, and <0.2 mL is typically used for the semen analysis. If over 1 million/mL round cells are identified, then a Papanicolaou stain would be performed to identify leukocytes. In this study, any semen demonstrated to have round cells would undergo Papanicolaou staining. A portion of the remaining semen, which would typically be discarded, will be sent for microbiome analysis. Secondly, as part of routine care, fertility patients may be started on medications to increase endogenous testosterone (i.e.: clomiphene citrate, anastrozole, etc). Participants started on medications will also be asked to submit a rectal swab for gut microbiome analysis. Routine care is to monitor the hormonal and testicular response with periodic endocrine blood panels and semen analyses; rectal swabs will be requested at these follow-up intervals also. The control group for both hypotheses will be men with clinical infertility with normal semen analyses and hormone profiles.
Although the endometrium has been traditionally considered free of bacteria, recent studies have documented the presence of an endometrial microbiome. The uterine microbiome can be defined as Lactobacillus-dominated (<90% Lactobacillus spp.) or non-Lactobacillus-dominated (<90% Lactobacillus spp. with >10% of other bacteria). The presence of a pathogenic microbiota in endometrium was associated with significant decrease in implantation, pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates. Some of these pathogens microorganisms can also produce infection and inflammation that may lead to chronic endometritis. Nowadays, the endometrial microbiome can be investigated with the EMMA test and the most known pathogens related with chronic endometritis can be detected with the ALICE test,both of them developed by Igenomix group. Our goal in this project is to investigate at what extent, if any, the analysis of the endometrial factor, at a microbiome level, in patients at their first IVF cycle improves their clinical outcome.
Uterine malformation is occur due to the abnormal development of Mullerian canal during embryogenesis and it is known that it reduces the fertility and live birth rate and also increases the abortion and preterm birth rate. There are different classification methods have been used for defining the uterine malformations. The most common used classification method in the World is American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)'s system. In addition European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) developed a new classification system. ASRM Uterine malformation Classification which is used for diagnosis and treatment of uterine malformations in our clinic is subdivided into 7 titles: 1. Agenesis or Hypoplasia -(a. Vaginal b. Cervical c. Fundal d. Tubal e. Combine) 2. Unicornuate -(a. Communicating Horn b. Non-Communicating Horn c. No Cavity d. No Horn) 3. Uterus Didelphus 4. Bicornuate Uterus-(a. Complete b. Partial) 5. Uterine Septum- (a. Complete b. Partial) 6. Arcuate Uterus 7. Diethylstilboestrol (DES) Related The diagnosis of some of the uterine malformations have been done by using two dimensional (2D) ultrasonography, hysterosalphingography or surgically (laparoscopy or laparotomy) traditionally. A non-invasive procedure is required for the diagnosis of the uterine malformation, which is evaluating both the uterine contour and endometrial cavity. In recent years frequently used three dimensional (3D) ultrasound is a non-invasive and quick diagnostic technique, and also it is sensitive as MRI. In hospital based case control studies, the frequency of uterine malformation was generally around 6%, while it was 8% in infertile patients and 12% in patients with abortion. However, there is a lack of prospective studies investigating the prevalence of uterine anomalies, fertility potential and effects on pregnancy outcomes in unselected patient groups in the literature. Therefore, at the high level evidence, there is no evidence that these anomalies affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes and should be corrected. In this study it was aimed to investigate the effects of uterine malformations on fecundability and pregnancy outcomes by evaluating the uterine morphology with 3D ultrasonography and calling for control purposes at the 1st and 2nd years of newly married women between the ages of 18-40.
This study aims to develop preimplantation genetic testing methods from embryo culture media (cell free). Genetic testing of culture media will be compared to conventional methods based on embryo biopsies.
For infertile men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), data from retrospective studies suggested that varicocele repair may be beneficial and associated with improved livebirth and pregnancy rates, however, its role remains uncertain and disputed. To date, the investigators are not aware of published randomized controlled trail (RCT) that have evaluated whether varicocele repair would improve ICSI outcomes on patients with male-factor infertility.
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the 1-month regimen of three times weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid in improving fertility outcome in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients with latent genital tuberculosis (LGTB), compared to no treatment and non-LGTB patients.
To compare the effectiveness of Transdermal Lidocaine for Pain Control During Diagnostic Office Hysteroscopy
Iron deficiency may play a critical role in human infertility, oocyte quality and may even play a role in endometrial receptivity. By correcting iron deficiency, low ferritin values, in infertile women with intravenous iron supplementation, embryo quality and pregnancy rates may improve. The main objective is to evaluate the effect of intravenous iron supplementation on embryo quality (number of good quality blastocysts). Randomized, double blind, parallel group, cross-over study of ferric carboxymaltose compared to placebo (NaCl infusion).
To evaluate the efficacy of lidocaine patch applied around wound in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery in reduction of postoperative pain and illus compared to intravenous lidocaine infusion and placebo.
Infertility and its treatments can have a significant impact on women's psychological health. Anxiety has a negative impact on quality of life during treatment and can lead to withdrawal of care. the investigators would like to test the effectiveness of an application available via the Internet that offers daily exercises such as mindfulness meditation. Women in the "treatment" group will be instructed to practice meditation exercises using the 15-minute daily application during in vitro fertilization treatment until pregnancy testing. Women in the control group will have the standard care of the centre. The investigators will measure the effectiveness of the intervention on anxiety, depression, quality of life and mindfulness aspects. The investigators will also assess the impact on the chances of pregnancy and stress.