Use of kisspeptin to enhance in vitro maturation of human oocytes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of kisspeptin to enhance in vitro maturation of human oocytes
IRAS ID
274149
Contact name
Ali Abbara
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
In the UK, 1 in 6 couples are affected by infertility. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be used to help such couples. During IVF treatment, eggs are collected and fertilised to form embryos. However, 1 in 5 eggs retrieved are immature and so cannot be fertilised. Furthermore, only 1 in 3 of all IVF cycles undertaken in the UK result in pregnancy. This research aims to investigate measures to salvage immature eggs that would otherwise be discarded to improve the efficiency of IVF treatment.
In vitro maturation (IVM) allows the immature eggs collected to be matured in a laboratory and fertilised to form an embryo. Thus, IVM can improve the efficiency of IVF treatment. However fertilisation rates with IVM are lower than that of IVF and therefore research is needed to improve the IVM process.
Kisspeptin is a naturally occurring hormone that can be used to mature eggs during IVF. It has been also shown to improve IVM in several animal species, but its effect on IVM in humans has never been investigated. In this study, we will investigate whether the addition of kisspeptin is able to improve IVM in humans, using immature eggs from women undergoing IVF (that would otherwise have been discarded).
During IVF treatment, hormonal changes occur that are necessary for egg maturation.
In summary, this research will determine whether kisspeptin can improve IVM in women having IVF treatment. If so, kisspeptin could improve the efficiency of IVF treatment by reducing the need to discard immature eggs collected leading to improved outcomes for patients in future. At this early stage of research, we would not aim to use any eggs matured during the research for treatment.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0859
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion