The immunology and metabolomics of endometrial receptivity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The immunology and metabolomics of endometrial receptivity to improve screening and prediction of recurrent failed in vitro fertilisation and recurrent spontaneous miscarriage
IRAS ID
197668
Contact name
Timothy Bracewell-Milnes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Infertility is an extremely prevalent problem affecting one in every seven couples. These couples may be recommended assisted conception in the way of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), sometimes known as 'test-tube baby'. Although IVF success rates have improved since the early 90s, their numbers are still distressingly low, and a significant proportion of them suffer with recurrent failed IVF (RFIVF).
Recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) means losing 3 or more consecutive pregnancies in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is a distressing condition affecting 1% of couples trying to conceive. Despite extensive research, in over 50% of cases of RSM the reasons for it remain unclear.
The very early conception is called the embryo, and this attaches to the lining of the womb in the first 5 days of life. The mother's cells that fight infection in the lining of the womb are unique, because the growing baby has to be protected from the mother's immune system attacking it, while the rest of the mother's immune system still has to prevent infections. It is widely believed that there is an immune cause to RFIVF and RSM, with the mechanisms usually protecting the growing baby from attack breaking down.
Biopsies from the lining of the womb, as well as blood and urine samples will be taken from patients already undergoing fertility treatment in their cycle before their IVF treatment and the immune properties of these samples will be analysed.
We want to understand more about the immunology of the lining of the womb and for this to happen we need to study it in great detail. We believe this research may help us gain knowledge to improve success rates in IVF in the future and reduce the risk of RSM.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0424
Date of REC Opinion
7 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion