Active clinical trials for "Infertility"

Sperm DNA integrity will be measured via the Toluidine Blue Assay (TBA) for patients undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF); the study will determine correlations, if any, between IVF success and sperm DNA integrity.

The aim of the present study is to examine the association between fertility parameters and the periodontal status of men attending fertility and in vitro fertilization clinic.

The purpose of this study is to prospectively examine the impact of various lifestyle habits in both men and women on the outcome of in vitro fertilization. There are 25 infertility centers in the United States which use the electronic medical record collection entity eIVF, made by Practice Highway, to collect medical and demographic information on the patients who are undergoing treatment at these centers. Information on every aspect of each cycle is also electronically collected daily during each cycle. Demographic and lifestyle information will be collected on all patients prior to cycle start and lifestyle habit information will be collected each time a patient logs onto the patient portal, which averages every few days.

Estradiol is synthesized by granulosa cells of ovaries under control of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). It is known that Estradiol plays a crucial role in maturation and fertilization of oocytes. Furthermore it is involved in development of secondary female sexual organs, fertility and maintenance of pregnancy. Estradiol influences these processes by binding to estradiol receptors (ER). They are ligand-depending transcription-factors. In humans there are two subtypes: ERa and ERb, which are synthetized from gene ESR1 on chromosome 6 and ESR2 on chromosome 14. Both subtypes are expressed in the ovary. Both genes are polymorph. Especially for ERa subtype several polymorphisms and mutations are known which can be linked to breast cancer, spontaneous abortions, osteoporosis and the point in time of menarche. Furthermore some studies have shown a relationship between certain polymorphisms and the risk of infertility associated gynecological malfunctions and the result of IVF treatments. Progesterone is a hormone which plays a crucial role in initiation and maintenance of pregnancy. It induces the transformation of the endometrium, which facilitates the implantation of the fertilized oocyte and supports the pregnancy. Progesterone acts by binding to its receptor. The gene for this receptor is polymorph within the population, whereas some variants seem to account for implantation failure of embryos. In the investigators study the investigators will analyse the role of ERP and PRP polymorphisms in the context of IVF treatment. The analyzed genotypes are two polymorphisms of ESRI, called Pvu and Xba, as well as a variant of ESRII, ER2. In the progesterone receptor gene a single nucleotide exchange at position +331 (G->A) plays a role. The parameters correlated with are concentrations of estradiol, progesterone and FSH, number of follicles, number of fertilized oocytes and pregnancy rate. The investigators hope to optimize established treatment protocols and to improve the chances of success of IVF treatments depending on the genotype of the patient.

This case-control multicentric study involving fertile and infertile couples aims at evaluating the impact on conception rate of nutritional parameters (biologic, clinic, anthropometric, and food questionnaire).

This study is only collecting specimens from current patients of PENN Fertility Care. The purpose of this investigation is to assess if markers of oxidative stress that are known to be associated with other medical conditions can be detected in women undergoing infertility treatment and normal women of similar age. Oxidative stress may affect a woman's eggs or the follicular cells that surround and nurture them. Other markers of to be investigated include markers of cellular aging and DNA structural changes. Presence of these markers will be compared in blood and urine samples taken during infertility treatment, and follicular fluid at the time of IVF (if applicable).

Vitrification is a method to cryopreserve biological specimens that are sensitive to chilling injury such as oocytes and embryos, and it has been employed with increased survival rate and live births (Hong et al., 1999; Kuleshova et al., 1999; Yoon et al., 2000; Chung et al 2000; Wu et al., 2001: Kuwayama et al 2006). In their study the researchers propose to directly compare oocyte survival, fertilizaton and embryo development between sibling oocytes. The Cryotop method of vitrification, which the researchers aim to investigate in their study, has been reported as the most efficient method for human oocytes cryopreservation (Kuwayama et al, 2005, Antinori et al, 2006, Lucena et al, 2006, Cobo et al, 2008). Follow up of over 200 infants conceived from vitrified oocytes (Chian et al, 2008) indicate that the mean birth weight and the incidence of congenital anomalies are comparable to that of spontaneous conceptions in fertile women or infertile women undergoing IVF treatment.

Commencing of growth hormone in luteal phase when follicular cohort for the next cycle is being gathered may increase mature oocytes in poor responder

To develop a biotechnological assay which will be able to recognize germ cells of the spermatogenic lineand and to identify the chromosomal and morphological structure of mature and immature male germ cells, in cases of of sperm production disorders(azoospermic patients). To recognize IL-18 in testicular tissue of azoospermic men compared to control group as it has been suggested that this cytokine may serve as a paracrine defense factor in the male gonad associated to spermatogenesis.

Since the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the 1980s, there have been significant advances made in the management and long-term prognosis for infected individuals. Currently, with the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), HIV-positive individuals may live a healthy and productive life for years to decades after diagnosis. As life expectancy has increased, this group of people has begun to engage in family planning. This has created a need for access to advanced reproductive technologies and fertility treatments. While attempting to achieve pregnancy, utilization of these services can help to minimize the risk of transmission in serodiscordant couples, and can allow treatment of subfertile couples. Access to these services may be limited in Ontario for a variety of reasons. The purpose of this study is to determine the access to infertility clinics and services in Ontario for couples in which one or both partners is infected with HIV.