CURRENT PROJECTS
In addition to the in-depth data analysis projects that are continually being conducted by the laboratory teams, we currently have several larger projects underway. Some of these projects are being conducted in collaboration with our research partners, while others are open to patients who may be interested in participating.
Each of these projects have undergone stringent ethical review by an independent Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) to ensure the highest standards of safety and respect for all participants.
Below you will find a brief overview of some of these current projects. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or may be interested in participating in an ongoing project.
ULTRA-FAST WARMING OF OOCYTES (EGGS)
RESEARCH PARTNER
Zenker Laboratory, Group Leader, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University.
STUDY TYPE
PhD
ETHICS APPROVAL
Monash University HREC – 46874
Photo Caption: An oocyte in the No.1 Fertility laboratory with its spindle illuminated by a polarised light microscope.
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
This study is looking to assess how well oocytes (eggs) tolerate a new warming protocol. The results from this study will be used to help determine if the potential new warming protocol is beneficial and safe to use routinely for treating patients using frozen eggs at No 1 Fertility.
The aim of this initial stage of the project is to assess whether a simplified, ‘one-step’ warming protocol can maintain or even improve the high survival rates we see in conventional multi-step warming protocols. Beyond simply survival, we also aim to determine whether this single-step warming protocol has any negative impact on the oocyte spindle (an important structure within the oocyte that holds the eggs DNA) or the structures that help the oocyte maintain its shape and ‘direct traffic’ within the egg (called the cytoskeleton).
The findings from this research will be used to guide clinical decisions for No.1 Fertility laboratory practices, with the aim of improving patient outcomes, streamlining laboratory processes and reducing risk to patient oocytes that may arise from performing additional manipulations.
MEASURING ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANTS IN HUMAN FOLLICULAR FLUID AND CUMULUS CELLS
RESEARCH PARTNER
Women’s Health and Ovarian Biology Laboratory, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University.
STUDY TYPE
Laboratory based
ETHICS APPROVAL
Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee – 45741
Photo Caption: Researchers from the Biomedicine Discovery Institute processing follicular fluid samples in the No.1 Fertility Research Laboratory.
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The researchers at the Women’s Health and Ovarian Biology laboratory hypothesise that exposure to environmental contaminants in the air we breathe, water we drink and food that we consume can reach the ovary and impact on oocyte (egg) number and quality and may contribute to infertility.
The primary aim of this project is to assess if a specific class of toxicant, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), derived predominantly from air pollution, is detectable in human follicular fluid samples. Once we measure PAH concentrations in follicular fluid, we can correlate this data with ART cycle outcomes.
An additional aim is to obtain discarded somatic cumulus cells (the cells that support the egg during its growth and maturation) and determine the cellular responses to PAHs. These cumulus cells are usually attached to eggs during egg collection and as part of an ART cycle they will be ‘washed’ off using ART culture media, the denuded eggs are transferred to fresh culture media and the left over cumulus cells can be collected.
The data generated from this study will form the foundation for future studies to mitigate the negative impact of this class of contaminant on egg number and quality.
ASSESSING THE EXPECTATIONS OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE EGG FREEZING
STUDY TYPE
Longitudinal, observational study
ETHICS APPROVAL
Bellberry HREC – 2024-07-908-A-1
Photo Caption: An embryologist performing egg freezing under the microscope
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Over the last decade egg freezing has expanded rapidly from an experimental procedure, primarily utilised in patients embarking on chemotherapy treatment, to a common clinical practice, often undertaken ‘electively’ by patients with no medical indication for freezing and now accounts for just over 20% of ART cycles in Victoria.
As with many new technologies there has been considerable media attention on the rise of egg freezing, with headlines frequently warning of how poorly informed patients are when entering the process: “Thinking of freezing your eggs? Beware the fertility spin” – Cosmos Magazine, 19/5/24; “The failed promise of egg freezing” – Vox, 29/4/24; “Women warned about emotional, physical and financial toll of egg freezing” – ABC, 15/5/23. However, it is not actually clear whether these claims are well founded.
This study aims to address a gap in the current research and improve our understanding of how well-informed patients are prior to undertaking egg-freezing, and how accurate their own estimates of a positive outcome are.
The results of this study will help us to understand how we can most effectively inform and support egg freezing patients and minimise the difference between patients’ expectations and their actual experiences and outcomes.
INVESTIGATING PARTICIPANTS REPORTED PREFERENCES AND RECRUITMENT BEHAVIOURS IN PUBLIC, ONLINE, GAMETE DONATION FORUMS IN AUSTRALIA
STUDY TYPE
Participant interview based
ETHICS APPROVAL
Royal Melbourne Hospital HREC – 116627/MH-2025
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
There is a significant and ongoing shortage of sperm donors available in Victorian ART clinics and ever-increasing waiting lists of patients needing access to donor material. This scarcity of donors is widely considered to be a primary driver of the increase in couples and individuals searching for a sperm donor through online social media platforms. However, little research has directly examined the factors that actually motivate recipients to choose informal donations over a clinic setting, nor do we have a clear picture of how donors and recipients are seeking or undertaking such donations.
This research aims to understand what factors are influencing recipient’s choices, and what their experiences have been in using online gamete donation forums or undertaking an informal donation.
EFFICACY OF NON-AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET RICH PLASMA IN SUPPORTING SPERM MOTILITY
STUDY TYPE
Laboratory based
ETHICS APPROVAL
Monash University HREC – 47169
Photo Caption: A blood sample being prepared by a nurse at No.1 Fertility
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is simply blood plasma with concentrated levels of platelets, which can be produced in the clinic from a patient’s blood sample. PRP is most commonly used in an IVF clinic as an infusion into the uterus, however, recent studies have suggested
PRP may be able to improve progressive motility in sperm samples and was proposed as a potential additive for Intrauterine inseminations (IUI).
While this would be a compelling adjuvant to consider, within the context of an IUI, inserting foreign blood products into one’s uterus poses a potential risk. For this technique to be used clinically, the PRP sample would ideally be taken from the blood of the patient undergoing insemination, so their own platelets are being transferred to their uterus.
The aim of this study is to determine whether PRP is effective in improving sperm motility when the initial blood sample is provided by someone else rather than the person who produced the sperm.
