Past & Present Research Opportunities

Over the years, RMA has given away more than 1,000 free IVF cycles and more than 780 free embryo screenings as part of its research program. This is an investment we make to improve patient outcomes and continue to set evidence-based standards in reproductive medicine. Below you will find a list of our current research opportunities and past study opportunities our patients have been involved with.

The purpose of this study is to determine and better understand the endometrial (uterine lining) gene expression and how it impacts embryo implantation.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the microbiome of the female reproductive tract and gastrointestinal tract as well as the male reproductive tract in patients and partners undergoing IVF and determine if there are any associations with pregnancy outcomes.

The primary goal of the embryology laboratory is to recreate the environment to which sperm, eggs, and embryos are exposed at the time of conception. Over time, we have increased our understanding of the natural conditions present in the Fallopian tube and the uterus. This information has allowed us to learn more about embryo development.

Preliminary research showed embryos prefer naturally-shifting culture oxygen levels to grow.

The CAREs Trial was designed to determine the prevalence of gluten sensitivity and asses IVF outcomes in affected patients.

Study showed that celiac disease did not affect IVF outcomes. This showed that celiac disease would not have an impact on their IVF journey.

The objective of the EnMotion Clinical Research Study was to evaluate the impact of a dynamic culture system, or a culture system where embryos can move as they do naturally, on the reproductive potential of embryos created during in-vitro-fertilization (IVF).

Study showed that movement of culture (ie. micro-vibration) had no impact on IVF outcomes.

The Objective of the SOLAIRE clinical trial was to assess the impact of comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) on patients with a low ovarian reserve in an effort to improve success during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and decrease the time to a successful pregnancy.

The purpose of this study was to monitor the development of a naturally selected follicle without the use of ovarian stimulation medications.  The plan was to perform an egg retrieval prior to its ovulation. Our goal was to examine the endometrial changes, as well as assess aneuploidy rates from embryos within the natural IVF cycle.

Study showed that IVF without ovarian stimulation led to the same rate of abnormal embryos as stimulated IVF, but with less efficient outcomes. This showed women that their injectable medication was not causing an increase in the number abnormal embryos.

The objective of the neXgen Clinical Trial was to assess the effectiveness of next generation sequencing (NGS) based Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to aid in the selection of embryos for transfer during clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Study validated next generation genetic embryo testing platform. This allowed patients to trust in their genetic testing results.

Techniques to improve pregnancy and delivery rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles have focused on conditions in the laboratory that affect ultimate outcome. The optimal environment for embryo growth in the IVF laboratory has been studied, but no general agreement exists on the best media to use for blastocyst culture (day 5 or day 6 embryos).

Prior studies have shown that culturing embryos in single-step v.s multi-step media have the same outcomes. Both types of media are commercially available and FDA approved for clinical use. This study sought to evaluate these two media with regard to pregnancy outcome.

Study showed growing embryos in multi-step culture was more effective than in single-step culture in our lab. This gave patients peace of mind that their embryos were being grown in the most effective way.

We sought to determine and prove that when we use Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS) to screen and select one embryo most fit for transfer, we have the same pregnancy rates but with better obstetrical outcomes than if we were to transfer two unscreened embryos. Putting back one screened embryo is safer for both mother and baby as opposed to a twin pregnancy, which occurs in about 50% of double embryo transfers.

Study showed transferring 1 screened embryo instead of 2 unscreened embryos resulted in the same pregnancy rates but with less risk to patients. This showed women the benefit of transferring one normal embryo at a time.

This study was conducted to determine if pre-implantation chromosome screening on embryos helped to improve embryo selection and subsequent implantation and delivery rates. Patients who received the screening had significantly higher implantation and delivery rates compared to the patients who did not receive the chromosome screening.

This study showed that utilizing chromosome screening to aid in embryo selection improved patient outcomes.

This study sought to determine if cleavage or blastocyst stage embryo biopsy affects the reproductive ability of the embryo(s) being biopsied. Patients were randomized to either a day 3 (cleavage stage) or day 5 (blastocyst stage) embryo transfer. Patients underwent a two embryo transfer of a biopsied and non-biopsied embryo.  It was determined that a cleavage stage biopsy was harmful to the embryos with a reduction in the implantation rates whereas blastocyst biopsy had equivalent rates.

Therefore, this study found that embryo biopsy at the blastocyst stage of embryo development may be used safely for preimplantation genetic testing.