ReProFiLe Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the Endometrial Leukocyte Profile in women with Recurrent Reproductive Failure (Pilot & Feasibility Study)
IRAS ID
174983
Contact name
Yealin Chung
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Only 25% of couples undergoing an In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) or Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycle will achieve their dream of parenthood. One of the major barriers to improving this success rate comes from our limited understanding of how the lining of the womb responds to a fertilised egg. The dialogue between these two plays a key role in the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy, and this is carefully regulated by a woman’s immune system. Evidence suggests that some women may have an immune system which responds abnormally which impacts their ability to conceive and/or carry a pregnancy: called Recurrent Reproductive Failure (RRF).
No study has yet established immunological features that will allow early identification of women who are at risk of RRF before undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. Early identification of these women will allow targeted treatment to optimise their immune response to a fertilised egg and therefore maximising the likelihood of successful IVF/ICSI treatment.
This prospective cohort study has been designed to investigate if analysis of immune features in the womb lining can be used to identify women at risk of RRF. 100 women receiving IVF/ICSI treatment will be recruited for a pilot & feasibility study over 12 months from the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine to conduct power calculations, assess recruitment potential and practical implications. Following this, we will be conducting a full scale study to investigate if the density and activity of immune cells in the womb lining correlate with the chances of successful pregnancy following an IVF/ICSI cycle.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0183
Date of REC Opinion
20 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion