Uterine environment REEM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Regulation of the endometrium and the effect of the microenvironment (REEM)
IRAS ID
218026
Contact name
Saad Amer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
The human endometrium is a special tissue that is constantly changing on a monthly basis in case a pregnancy happens. The early events occurring in the endometrium to support pregnancy are not well understood. Within the uterus, these early events leading to pregnancy depend on the embryo implanting in the lining of the uterus known as the endometrium. If implantation does not occur, a pregnancy will not follow. Implantation failure is one of the causes of infertility but one about which we know very little. Infertility affects 1 in 7 couples but despite advances in assisted reproductive techniques that have transformed the lives of many previously childless couples, many IVF attempts end in failure. Therefore further research is needed to not only to improve success rates for assisted reproduction but to understand the role of the mother’s endometrium in providing a healthy and suitable environment which will support the early embryo.
We suggest that the reason why some women may not become pregnant is due to problems involving these proteins that lead to a poor endometrial response that prevents implantation. Our research will focus on changes in the local environment of the endometrium especially proteins that transport signals across cell membranes and how they respond to key factors within the uterus.
The discovery of new processes involved in fertility and infertility will open up new opportunities. It is hoped that this study will shed new light on a problem that affects many couples and may help in the longer term to overcome infertility and also new approached to contraception that do not involve hormones.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0163
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion