Clinical Research Directory

Egg Donation at the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Center of the Nancy University Hospital

Since the 2021 revision of French bioethics laws, access to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has expanded, leading to a significant increase in gamete donation requests. In this context, oocyte donation remains a limited resource, with marked disparities between centers and persistent donor shortages. At the Assisted Reproductive Technology Center of Nancy University Hospital, more than fifty women have initiated an oocyte donation process since the implementation of the new legislation. However, not all candidates complete the donation pathway, and clinical and organizational outcomes have not yet been formally evaluated. This retrospective observational study will evaluate the oocyte donation pathway at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Center of Nancy University Hospital. The study population will include all women who attended a biological consultation for primary or secondary oocyte donation from the implementation of the new Bioethics laws until December 31, 2025 (study period). Baseline clinical and biological characteristics of donor candidates will be described, including age, body mass index, anti-Müllerian hormone level, and antral follicle count. The proportion of donor candidates undergoing oocyte retrieval and the time interval between the first biological consultation and oocyte retrieval will be assessed. Biological and clinical outcomes will also be analyzed, including the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of mature oocytes (metaphase II) obtained, fertilization rate following in vitro fertilization, clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer, and live birth rate. Results will be compared with national data reported by the French Biomedicine Agency in order to evaluate the activity and outcomes of the center and to identify potential areas for organizational and clinical improvement in the oocyte donation pathway. The overall objective is to optimize donor management and improve access to oocyte donation for recipient patients.

Effects of Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology on Sexual Function and Behavior

This cross-sectional observational study examines how infertility and the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) are related to sexual function and sexual behaviors in women seeking fertility treatment. Infertility and the stress of ART may be associated with changes in sexual desire, satisfaction, and activity. The purpose is to better understand these associations to support the sexual health and overall well-being of women undergoing fertility care. Women who are assigned female at birth, under 45 years old, diagnosed with infertility, and attending appointments at the MUHC Reproductive Centre are invited to take part. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire while waiting for their clinical visit. The questionnaire includes the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which measures different aspects of sexual function, and additional questions about sexual activities, such as frequency of intercourse and other behaviors before and after fertility treatments. Participants will not provide any identifying information. Completed questionnaires will be placed in a secure collection box to protect confidentiality. Data from approximately 500 participants will be analyzed to explore how infertility type (primary vs. secondary), duration of infertility, and the number of unsuccessful ART cycles relate to sexual function and behavior. Findings from this study may help healthcare providers better recognize and address the sexual health concerns of women with infertility. This study is approved by the McGill University Health Centre Research Ethics Board (REB #2025-11459).

Biological Aging Hallmarks-Guided Integrative TCM and Conventional Medicine in Post-Treatment Unexplained Female Infertility

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether telomere profiling and other biological aging hallmarks can help identify underlying mechanisms of persistent infertility in women with post-treatment unexplained infertility. The study also evaluates whether a personalized integrative treatment guided by these biomarkers can improve reproductive outcomes. The study includes women aged 25 to 42 years who continue to experience infertility despite appropriate management of identifiable reproductive conditions and repeated attempts with assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Can telomere and biological aging hallmarks profiling identify a biological aging phenotype associated with infertility? * Can an integrative treatment guided by these profiles improve clinical pregnancy outcomes? Participants will: * Undergo a baseline reproductive evaluation and blood-based assessment of telomeres and aging hallmarks. * Receive an integrative approach combining Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), targeted nutritional support, and standard fertility care. * Proceed with natural conception attempts or standard assisted reproductive technologies following the preconception phase. * Participants will be followed to assess pregnancy outcomes and changes in biological aging hallmarks.

A Prospective Study to Evaluate the Outcome of the Aurora Test Used With Blastocyst Transfer in an ICSI Cycle (Aurora-Blasto)

In current treatments for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), the creation of multiple embryos is a common practice. The decision to transfer an embryo is traditionally based on the morphological assessment by an embryologist, which, due to its nature, must be considered subjective. In certain regions, invasive embryo biopsy techniques, such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A), are used to detect chromosomal abnormalities and support decision-making regarding embryo transfer. However, there is a medical need to improve the outcomes of IVF/ICSI cycles through non-invasive and objective methods. As an academic center, our goal is to investigate promising innovative methods that, if successful, can be integrated into standard care. The aim of the Aurora blastocyst study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Aurora test in selecting five-day-old embryos for fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Additionally, the study assesses whether the use of the Aurora test results in an increase in clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates. The Aurora test is a non-invasive test for evaluating oocyte competence and subsequently the embryo obtained in an ICSI cycle (In Vitro Fertilization). This test is performed on cumulus cells (CC) surrounding the oocyte and uses mRNA expression profiles to evaluate the developmental potential of the oocytes. The test has been developed and validated for patients stimulated with human menopausal gonadotropins (HP-hMG), an ovulatory dose of hCG, and a single embryo transfer on day 3. The test will be performed by Fertiga nv, upon receiving patients cumulus cells. At our center, based on earlier research, the standard care involves a single embryo transfer on day 5. In this study, embryo selection based on morphology is compared with embryo selection based on morphology and the Aurora test. Finally, this study aims to evaluate the impact of the Aurora test score on the embryologist's selection decision for transferring a five-day-old embryo for single embryo transfer, by assessing parameters such as pregnancy rates and live birth rates.

The Efficacy of Remimazolam on Incidence of Hypoxia During Sedated Transvaginal Oocyte Retrieval: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hypoxia is the most common adverse reaction during sedation outside the operating room.Exploring novel drug combinations to reduce the incidence of hypoxia during sedation in patients undergoing transvaginal oocyte retrieval procedures enhances patient safety and lowers perioperative adverse event rates. This multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study will compare the hypoxia incidence rate of the remimazolam-alfentanil combination against the commonly used propofol-alfentanil combination.

First Line Surgery or First Line Fertility Treatment Using Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Patients With Advanced Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. It is strongly associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Women with advanced stages of the disease (stage III-IV) have markedly reduced fertility compared with the general population. A Swedish study has shown that about 22% of women undergoing treatments with assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), are affected by endometriosis. The optimal management of women with advanced endometriosis and infertility remains uncertain. Some clinicians advocate proceeding directly to IVF, while others suggest surgical removal of endometriosis lesions prior to IVF in order to improve the chances of pregnancy. Currently, evidence is limited to a small number of observational studies. Two observational studies and one meta-analysis have suggested that surgery before IVF in women with deep endometriosis may increase both pregnancy and live birth rates compared with IVF alone. However, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) has yet been conducted to answer this important clinical question. This study will be the first national multicenter randomized controlled trial to compare surgery followed by IVF with IVF alone in women with advanced endometriosis and infertility. All Swedish centers for highly specialized endometriosis surgery and fertility treatment will participate. Eligible participants are women under 39 years of age with stage III-IV endometriosis who seek fertility treatment. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups: * Surgery prior to IVF (laparoscopic excision of endometriosis lesions, followed by IVF). * Direct IVF without prior surgery. The primary outcome is the cumulative live birth rate within three years of randomization and initiation of the allocated treatment. Secondary outcomes include pregnancy rates, time to pregnancy, treatment-related complications, patient-reported quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. Our hypothesis is that surgery before IVF will lead to a higher cumulative live birth rate compared with IVF without prior surgery in women with advanced endometriosis. The results of this trial are expected to have significant impact on clinical practice and international guidelines. Regardless of outcome, the study will provide robust evidence to guide treatment strategies, improve the care of women with advanced endometriosis and infertility, and potentially reduce healthcare costs by identifying the most effective pathway to achieving pregnancy.

The Impact of Uterine Immunity and Its Alterations on the Embryo Implantation Process

Evaluation of uterine immunity, histological picture, and endometrial microbiome for embryo implantation

fertiShare Evaluation

Sharing bad news (SBN) is a daily challenge for fertility staff and patients. Bad news happens at all stages of fertility care and includes e.g., diagnosing infertility, reporting unexpected, repeated, or definitive treatment failure. Extensive evidence shows that SBN triggers stress in staff due to anticipation of negative emotions and evaluations or, in extreme cases, even complaints and lawsuits. Inability to manage bad news can increase negative emotions in patients and fuel distrust, potentially leading to treatment discontinuation. Efficient SBN training exists but does not address challenges of SBN in fertility care, does not meet fertility staff training and patient care preferences, and its impact on patients is unclear. fertiShare is a brief, evidence-based, e-Learning SBN course bespoke for fertility care. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing fertiShare at fertility clinics and of implementing an online multi-centre RCT to determine fertiShare's efficacy. This will allow to conclude if fertiShare should proceed to efficacy evaluation. An international interdisciplinary stakeholder group (patients, consultants, embryologists, nurses, psychologists, digital educators) will inform all aspects of the proposed project.

The Feasibility of taVNS on Pregnancy Outcomes of Infertility Patients Undergoing IVF

To assess the feasibility of taVNS on pregnancy outcomes of infertility subjects undergoing IVF, the primary aim of this trial will focus on encompassing recruitment, compliance, and preliminary engagement outcomes. The exploratory aim is to carry out clinical research, which entails evaluating the preliminary effects of the intervention in order to ascertain its potential benefits. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the taVNS is feasible and tolerated in the context of IVF? What medical problems do participants have when using the taVNS device? Researchers will compare the taVNS to the sham transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (a look-alike device that produces a sub-threshold therapeutic stimulus and functions as a sham stimulus) and blank control to see if the taVNS device works to enhance outcomes of IVF. Participants will: Use the device a total of 1.5 hours daily, with the sessions divided into three parts, each lasting 30 minutes. At least one of these periods occur within 2 hours before bedtime. Visit the clinic according to the scheduled treatment time points of IVF. Keep a diary of their adverse events and the number of times they use the device.

Does The Addition Of Letrozole To Ultra-Long GnRH Agonists Help Adenomyosis Patients in ART? The AURA Trial

The AURA Trial seeks to improve fertility treatment for women affected by a condition known as adenomyosis. Adenomyosis often leads to heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, dyspareunia and can make it more difficult to achieve and maintain a healthy pregnancy. In this randomized controlled trial participating women ≥ 18 years of age with a confirmed imaging diagnosis of adenomyosis according to Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment (MUSA) consensus will first undergo a thorough assessment. This initial workup includes reviewing medical history, assessing the characteristics of the uterus (volume, myometrial architecture, shape of the uterine cavity, stiffness, etc.) via 2D/3D transvaginal ultrasound, and obtaining blood tests to establish baseline hormone levels. Once enrolled, each participant will be assigned at random-without prior knowledge by either the woman or her care team-to one of two 90-day pre-treatment regimens. The first group will receive monthly injections of a GnRH agonist, a medication that temporarily suppresses ovarian function and lowers estrogen levels. The second group will follow the same injection schedule but will also take daily letrozole tablets, an aromatase inhibitor that further reduces estrogen production. The hope is that this combined approach will calm the inflammatory environment caused by adenomyosis, promote a more receptive uterus, and ultimately increase the likelihood of an embryo developing beyond the critical 12-week mark. At the end of the 90-day protocol, and after repeating all evaluations carried out during the enrolment phase, all women will proceed with the planned assisted reproductive technology cycle with the usual careful monitoring until the day of emrbyo transfer. To ensure correct interpretation of the results and to minimise the potential effect of any incompetent oocytes, only euploid embryos evaluated by pre-implantation genetic test or embryos derived from donated oocytes will be transferred. Pregnancy will be assessed first with a blood test, followed by an ultrasound scan at approximately six or seven weeks to confirm a clinical pregnancy. An ongoing pregnancy, defined by the detection of the fetal heartbeat beyond the 12th week, is the main measure of success. By participating in AURA, women and their families not only gain access to cutting-edge clinical care but also contribute valuable knowledge that could shape future standard treatments for adenomyosis-related infertility. For further information or to explore participation, please reach out to the Instituto Bernebu Assisted Reproduction Center, where our team is ready to guide you through every step of this important study.

Language Matters: Exploring the Impact of Language Concordance on Fertility Treatment Progression

Currently, patients presenting to the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center meet with an English-speaking provider and communicate through an interpreter, as none of the physicians speak Spanish. However, this study PI is a native Spanish speaker and certified bilingual clinician. Thus, this study is looking to evaluate whether or not the use of an interpreter delays completion of testing and initiation of fertility treatment. The medically indicated testing, procedures, and course of treatment will not be altered as a result of participation in the study. Participants will be asked to complete a survey in their preferred language to gauge satisfaction and communication efficacy. This proposed study is significant as it seeks to address a critical gap in the understanding of how language concordance between healthcare providers and patients influences treatment outcomes in fertility care. With Spanish being the most commonly spoken non-English language in the U.S., evaluating the impact of Spanish language skills in medical care is both timely and essential. This research will shed light on whether Spanish-speaking patients experience better treatment progression and outcomes when cared for by language-concordant providers versus when interpreters are used in fertility care. This prospective study will be conducted at Washington University's Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center over a 12-month period. The investigators aim to enroll a total of 70 Spanish-speaking patients, based on previous patient trends at the Center 35 will be randomized to the intervention group (being evaluated and treated by a Spanish-speaking provider), and 35 will be randomized to standard of care (communicating with an English-speaking provider through an interpreter).

Quantifying Uterine Elastography in Menstruating Women

This study is aiming to characterize the elasticity of the female reproductive tract including the uterus, cervix and ovary using shear wave elastography at different times during the menstrual cycle and define the standard reference range of normal uterine and ovarian elasticity. By doing so, the potential of using shear wave elastography to diagnose and predict outcomes for patients seeking fertility treatment might be established.

The Effect of Stress Ball Used During Intra Uterine Insemination on Pain, Anxiety, Comfort and Physiological Parameters

This study aimed to determine the effects of holding the patient's hand and using a stress ball during the Intrauterine Insemination procedure on pain, anxiety, comfort, and physiological parameters. This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial with a pre-test-post-test procedure in the IVF Unit of a Medical Faculty Hospital in Turkey. The study sample was planned to include 120 participants, 40 women each in the stress ball, hand-holding, and control groups. Data will be collected using the Personal Information Form, Visual Analog Scale, State Anxiety Inventory, and General Comfort Scale Short Form. In the Stress Ball Group, participants are given a colored silicone stress ball (5-7 cm diameter) 5 minutes before the procedure. During the procedure, they are instructed to squeeze the ball twice after counting to 10 and repeat this until the procedure is complete. In the Hand-Holding Group, the researcher holds one of the participant's hands during catheter insertion and removal. The researcher's fingers are closed but not interlocked and placed gently on the participant's hand without additional movements or gloves. In the Control Group, Participants receive no additional intervention beyond the standard routine procedures.

Difference Between Progestin Primed Ovarian Stimulation Protocol and Antagonist Protocol

compare the effectiveness and safety of the progestin primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol versus the antagonist protocol in hyper-responder patients scheduled for a freeze-all policy

ReceptIVFity & Immunology in ART

The goal of this clinical non-invasive observational pilot study is to improve the prediction of pregnancy success after In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)/IVF -Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatment by examining the vaginal microbiome and the immunological profile of menstrual blood in women (18-42) years old) undergoing their first IVF/IVF/ICSI treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the ReceptIVFity profile (low, medium, or high) of the vaginal microbiome in these women? How do the endometrial-derived lymphocytes respond to different immune stimuli and microbiota? Can the endometrial stromal cells decidualize effectively in the presence or absence of specific microbiota? Participants will: Self-perform a vaginal swab to determine the ReceptIVFity profile of their vaginal microbiome. Self-collect menstrual blood during 24 hours in 2 blocks of 12 hours for immunological analysis.

Assessment of Reproductive Outcomes in Non-Male Factor Infertility Patients: Conventional in Vitro Fertilisation Versus Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficiency of two fertilization techniques used in Assisted Reproduction: conventional In Vitro fertilization (cIVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), in terms of in-vitro and clinical results, in non-male infertility patients, comparing them in sibling oocytes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does ICSI result in better fertilization rate, blastocyst rate or usable blastocyst rate? Does ICSI result in better pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates? Researchers will compare cIVF to ICSI in sibling oocytes to assess if a technique offers better results. Participants undergoing an IVF/ICSI cycle will have their oocytes randomly divided in two groups: the oocytes from one group will be fertilized using cIVF and the oocytes from the other group using ICSI.