Active clinical trials for "Infertility"

Some animal studies revealed that the pomegranate juice may improve sperm quality in terms of concentration, motility and morphology, as well as in fertilization rate. Minor data is available regarding the influence on male sperm.

This is a feasibility study intended to demonstrate the Previvo Uterine Lavage System's ability to recover embryos from the uterus following either natural cycle (NC)/intrauterine insemination (IUI), or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)/intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Simulation is an educational approach that has recently found an application in healthcare.acquire. Angers university hospital has decided to acquire, in December 2016, the high-fidelity Oocyte Pick up (OPU) simulator PickUpSimTM, and the investigators have put in place a training novel program containing different simulation based courses. It is essential to analyze its impact on the clinical practice before implementing it on a larger scale. Initial hypothesis was that the residents' lack of specific training and inexperience would result in suboptimal oocyte retrievals, especially for their first cases The investigators will undertake a prospective comparative study at the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) unit of the Angers University Hospital between May 2019 and April 2022. The investigators will include all voluntary residents in rotation at the IVF unit in that time period. The participants will be divided in two groups: Group A will undergo the PickUpSimTM simulation training program whereas group B will only have the classic training with no simulation. The primary objective is to assess the benefits of an OPU simulation training program using the PickUpSimTM simulator for teaching residents in a university-affiliated IVF center. The main criterion the investigators will use is the "oocyte retrieval rate" (ORR) during the first month following 15 days of simulation training. The ORR is calculated as the number of oocytes retrieved divided by the number of follicles aspirated. Our secondary objectives are: To assess the residents' satisfaction with the simulation training program. To evaluate the learning curve of residents during the two weeks of training. To compare the OPU complication rate between residents with and without previous simulation training. To analyze the oocyte retrieval rate in the second and third month of REI rotation for residents, and compare it between those with and those without simulation training.

Psychological stress and its sources differ among the population and can be reduced in various ways. The practice of yoga has been shown to be an effective stress reducing agent. IVF processes have also been shown to increase stress levels, particularly in patients with multiple failed IVF cycles. Less is known about stress levels in patients undergoing elective egg freezing for fertility preservation. The investigators demonstrated in a pilot project that yoga postures with a yoga focused discussion session decreases stress in infertility patients compared to controls. The goal of this study is to further explore the capability of yoga practice to reduce stress in a specific subset of infertility patients, those with a history of at least one failed IVF cycle and those undergoing elective oocyte cryopreservation. Additionally, the investigators are aiming to understand which aspect of the intervention (discussion vs. yoga) had the most impact and whether route of administration of the intervention (in person vs online) effects results.

Project Summary Cell phones have become indispensable devices in the investigator's daily life. These phones operate between 400 and 2000 MHz frequency bands and emit radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (EMW). Radio-frequency electro-magnetic field exposure from cell phones or other sources of microwaves have deleterious effects on sperm parameters (like sperm count, morphology, motility). Further, EMW radiation emitted by mobile phones affects cells and organelles, and results in disorientation of charged molecules within the cytosol and a distortion of electron flow along the internal membranes of the cells. These cellular changes results in the generation of ROS leading to oxidative stress, which in turn results in radiation-induced sperm DNA fragmentation. Radiation shield can help provide protection from high levels of EMW radiations deflecting, diverting, and absorbing the radiation between the user and the source. A new EMW radiation shield, Qi-Shield device developed by Waveguard GmbH (Bautzen, Germany) provides protection against the radiations emitted by the smartphone and laptop devices. Qi-Shield utilizes conductive fluids in a particular geometric arrangement intended to ameliorate the negative effects of EMW radiation. Study Aims: To evaluate the changes in the semen parameters from the use of Qi-Shield device in sham (control) and user groups To determine the molecular changes pertaining to sperm proteins from the use of Qi-Shield device in sham (control) and user groups Significance The negative health consequences of EMWs have been documented across a wide range of device types, exposure frequencies and doses (Giuliani, 2010), at field strengths substantially below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines for permissible exposures. In the absence of a revision in the ICNIRP guidelines, near-term public exposures to EMWs will most certainly continue to increase, despite the scientific evidence suggesting more careful review and recommendations to limit exposure to electromagnetic fields as much as possible. At present, there is no veritable means for counteracting the negative health consequences of human-made EMWs, revealing an unmet need for a means of protecting from or ameliorating the negative effects of EMWs, and the need for devising strategies for creating safer living and working environments in a time of increasing EMW exposures. Positive results in this study would demonstrate a means of counteracting negative effects on human sperm due to EMWs. Documentation of protection due to the Qi-Shield devices would show proof of principle that a low-cost passive device, portable and without battery or mains power, can provide improvements in human sperm parameters, with promise for a means of counteracting EMW-reduced fertility in large numbers of people. Confirmation of changes on protein expression would provide data needed to identify specific pathways of action, insight that is necessary for a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action of the EMW protection effect. Taken together, these results would suggest further lines of study in EMW protection, and provide clinical support for the adoption of EMW-protecting devices in the home and workplace.

This is the pilot phase of a randomised controlled trial. The purpose of the pilot study is to assess the ability to recruit, randomise, adherence to the study protocol and plan for a full study. The purpose of the full study will be to determine if a policy of embryo selection and transfer based on morphological evaluation and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a more clinically effective, safer, cost-effective and acceptable way to provide in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment in women of advanced reproductive age compared to the routine practice of embryo selection and transfer based on morphological evaluation alone.

COVID-19 infection is hypothesized to have a potentially negative effect on male fertility through direct damage to the testes. The current trial is aimed at investigating the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on fertility and determining if viral bodies are capable of directly damaging testicular cells

Infertility and its treatment result in a considerate emotional burden and a recent guideline of the European Society of Human Reproduction (ESHRE) highlight the importance to support couples facing fertility problems. Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) have been proven effective in improving well-being and combatting mood disturbances in a wide range of conditions in both treatment and prevention. The overall aim of this project is to evaluate the impact of a mobile mindfulness programme (mMP) on quality of life and emotional well-being in individuals/couples experiencing fertility problems. The present study is a two-group randomized controlled trial with assessments at baseline, at 1,5 months and at 3 months. Sixty couples experiencing fertility problems will be enrolled. They will be assigned to either an intervention group (immediate access to the mMP) or a control group (waitlist condition). The mobile MBP is developed by a team of experienced mindfulness trainers, clinical psychologists, and a psychiatrist and adheres to a standardized protocol. The primary outcomes will be quality of life and emotional distress. Secondary outcomes will be repetitive negative thinking, self-compassion and mindfulness skills. Additionally, the feasibility of the mMP will be evaluated.

Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for FIV increases progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) serum levels in supraphysiologic concentrations at the end of follicular phase. Elevated serum P levels leads to an accelerated endometrial maturation which interferes with the dialogue between embryo and endometrium. It has been reported that serum progesterone levels ≥ 1.5 ng/ml on the last day of COS are related to a significant decrease in the ongoing pregnancy rate following IVF cycles. Also, it has been reported a significant alteration in the endometrial gene expression profile related to P elevated levels. Glycodelin-A is an immunomodulatory glycoprotein synthesized by luteal-phase endometrial epithelium and its expression seems to be related to the action of P. Because glycodelin-A has immunosuppressive activity, it may facilitate the process of implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. It is already know that ulipristal acetate (UPA) decrease serum P levels. The hypothesis of this study is that UPA is been able to modify P serum levels and glycodelin-A endometrial expression pattern on FSH/GnRH Antagonist cycles for FIV.

To compare the effects of fresh embryo transfers (ET) and elective frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles in poor ovarian responders.