Our commitment to personalised care, giving hope and leading the way
At Monash IVF, our research and clinical teams are constantly developing improved techniques for overcoming infertility. Without the vision and commitment of Professor Carl Wood and Professor Alan Trounson, Monash IVF's ground breaking achievments in infertility treatment would not have been possible.
Ongoing Research and Development
Monash IVF continues to improve the success rates of fertility treatments. Since the late 1970s, our scientific research has been responsible for the majority of the new developments in IVF worldwide. This has placed our clinical and research programs at the forefront of international reproductive medicine. With each new development, another couple moves a step closer to realising their dream of having a child. At Monash IVF, all couples are assured of receiving state of the art care for their fertility problems. Ongoing research and development is not possible without the involvement of patients, either through participation in trials or where possible through generous donation to fund future research projects.
Research and Education Management Strategy
A key recent development is the adoption of a new research and education management strategy. Effective from 2010, this strategy created the Monash IVF Research and Education Foundation (MREF) a Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board to advise the Monash IVF Board of Directors of those areas of assisted reproduction research most likely to benefit Monash IVF as well as a local Research and Education Support Groups to effect those recommendations. This strategy ensures Monash IVF's research and education program is of an international standard.
Membership of the Monash IVF Research and Education Foundation Advisory Board includes:
- Professor Robert McLachlan (Chairman MREF, Director of Clinical Research, Prince Henry's Institute, Monash University, Consultant Andrologist, Monash IVF)
- Professor David de Kretser AC, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University.
- Professor David Healy (Chairman of the Monash Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, President of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), Director Teaching and learning, MREF, IVF Specialist, Monash IVF)
- Associate Professor Luk Rombauts (Director of Clinical Research MREF, IVF Specialist, Monash IVF)
- Dr Tiki Osianlis (Director of Embryology, Monash IVF, Scientific Advisor MREF)
- Associate Professor Beverley Vollenhoven (Senior Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University, IVF Specialist, Monash IVF)
- Dr Kee Ong, (IVF Specialist, Monash IVF)
- Dr Gareth Weston (Senior Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University, IVF Specialist, Monash IVF)
Quality Assurance and Research Trials
Research programs may involve critical reviews of patient data (e.g. test results), or examination of sperm, egg and embryos for monitoring and evaluating treatment regimes. Such programs, usually referred to as clinical trials or research projects, can only be undertaken under a trial protocol that meets National Health and Medical Research Committee (NH&MRC) guidelines and is approved by the appropriate Hospital or Institutional Research Ethics Committee.
How to join a Research Trial
Ask your IVF Infertility Specialist
Your consent is required before you can be involved in a clinical trial, and we must give you a full explanation of the trial. You are under no obligation whatsoever to participate in a research trial. If you choose to say no, there will be no difference at all to your clinical treatment. We respect people's decisions to decline and we understand that your first priority will be your own treatment If however, you do consent, you will be helping us to improve outcomes, even if it may not immediately benefit the participants.
Monash IVF Research Projects
Clinical Trials - Recruitment
Monash IVF is currently recruiting for clinical research trials, so if you are interested in participating please inform your IVF Specialist or IVF Nurse.
The major ongoing projects are:
Male Infertility
- Studies on the Genetic Basis of Male Infertility and the Trans-Generational Health of Children Conceived through Assisted Reproduction. Prof Rob McLachlan et al : This study has developed a repository of genomic DNA and clinical information from infertile men, their partners and their children conceived through assisted reproduction and identified genomic changes associated with poor outcomes for these children. Sample collection and targeted genetic studies are continuing so as to further explore the genetic basis of male infertility
- Sperm DNA damage: Role in Male Infertility: Placebo Controlled RCT of Antioxidant Therapy in ART. Prof Rob McLachlan et al : This study is investigating a subgroup of male factor men with repeated elevated levels of sperm DNA damage
Treatment Cycle
- The use of Human Growth Hormone in patients with previous poor responds to ovarian stimulation : The primary objective of this project is to determine the effect of growth hormone co-stimulation on live birth rates in patients with a previous poor respond to stimulation for IVF
- Developing a Blood test for the Early Detection of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) Associate Professor Luk Rombauts et al : A study aiming to identify serum markers that predict OHSS prior to and / or early in the IVF treatment cycle.
- Measurement of Numeracy (understanding of risk estimates) and Risk Bias (willingness to take risks) in Infertile Couples. Associate Professor Luk Rombauts et al : The results of this study will be used to improve the methods used to deliver effective health information to patients
Implantation
- Proteomic Analysis of Receptive Endometrium; Identification of Discriminative Markers. Associate Professor Luk Rombauts et al : Defects in implantation are thought to be a major cause of poor treatment cycle outcomes and furthermore to impact on placental function and the short and long term health of offspring. The overall aim of the project is to develop a rapid diagnostic test that identifies a receptive endometrium which could then be used to assist with clinical decision making
Pregnancy & Birth Outcomes
- Outcome of IVF Pregnancies and Births for Mothers and Singleton Babies : This ongoing study of birth outcomes after ART continues to investigate possible causes of prematurity after various ART treatments
- Comparison of Health and Development of Young Adults Born with and Without ART. Prof Rob McLachlan et al : The aim of this project is to undertake a systematic investigation of the health and development of young people aged 18-26 years and will provide extremely valuable information on the longer-term safety of IVF.
Recently Concluded
- Predictive Value of Antral Follicle Count (AFC) Remains Unchanged Across the Menstrual Cycle. Associate Professor Luk Rombauts et al : This study concluded that AFC can be measured at any time during the menstrual cycle without compromising its predictive value of poor response.
- Corifollitropin Alfa is Safe and Efficacious in Patients Undergoing Repeated Gonadotophin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Ovarian Stimulation Cycles Associate Professor Luk Rombauts et al : The study concluded that a single injection of 150 μg corifollitropin alfa (long acting FSH) can safely and effectively initiate and sustain ovarian stimulation during the first 7 days of COS prior to IVF/ICSI in patients undergoing up to 3 cycles of treatment, without concerns related to immunogenicity.
- Generation and validation of an accurate crown-rump length reference chart based on true gestational age to date pregnancies at 6-9 weeks of gestation: retrospective observational study. Associate Professor Luk Rombauts, Dr Simon Meagher et al : The study found that commonly used CRL reference charts to date pregnancies may be inaccurate. The investigators generated a CRL reference chart based on true gestational age, which appears to accurately determine gestational age at 6-9 weeks of gestation.
Current research projects that are progressing but have not needed funding or have external funding from 2010 onwards are:
1. Complementary and Alternative Therapies and ART
2. BMI and IVF treatment outcome: Is there an ideal BMI parameter to optimise treatment success
3. Patient satisfaction of the Antagonist cycle in IVF
4. Comparative study of IVF outcomes between PCO and non PCO patients
5. Investigation of Vitrification post-thaw parameters
6. Investigation of the influence of pre-thaw morphology on Vitrification
7. Fate of MI (immature) oocytes
The Monash IVF Research and Education Foundation are committed to funding meaningful research projects and education initiatives to encourage scientific progress, enhance patient care and to simplify Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments.