Hey friends! We’ve got some thrilling news to share from the Houston Fertility Institute (HFI). They’re participating in a clinical trial for a new in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment called the Thrive-IVF Research Study, aimed at helping those who have previously struggled with IVF. HFI is one of just 20 sites selected nationwide, which is pretty impressive!
So, What’s IVF Anyway?
In vitro fertilization is a procedure where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab setting. Typically, women are given medications to stimulate their ovaries to produce multiple eggs. After fertilization, the embryos grow for about three to five days before being transferred into the uterus. Any extra embryos can be frozen for future use—this is called a “frozen embryo transfer” or FET.
Who Can Join This Study?
The trial is looking for women aged 21 to 38 who haven’t achieved a successful pregnancy despite multiple IVF attempts. If you’ve had good quality embryos transferred in three cycles, but still haven’t seen a pregnancy, you may be eligible. Two of those cycles should be fresh IVF cycles, and candidates can include those who’ve had negative pregnancy tests or early losses.
What’s Being Tested?
The study is focused on a substance known as granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which could potentially boost pregnancy rates in women who have faced challenges in previous IVF cycles. This chemical is usually produced naturally by white blood cells, but the form used in this study, called “NT100,” is lab-created. Early research suggests that adding G-CSF to the culture medium might improve embryo quality and pregnancy rates, especially for those who have struggled with implantation or early pregnancy losses.
What’s In It for Participants?
Those who qualify will receive the IVF cycle and any medications related to the study at no cost. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the study medication (NT100) or a placebo. There will be some extra injections and visits involved, and instead of the usual five-day embryo transfer, embryos will be transferred on day three for consistency across all participating centers.
Want to Know More?
If you’re curious about the Thrive-IVF study and think you might qualify, reach out to the clinical research coordinator for more info. Clinical trials like these are vital for advancing infertility care, and it’s exciting to see HFI at the forefront of this research.
For other helpful insights, check out our post on when to consult a fertility specialist. And if home insemination is something you’re considering, you might want to explore the Impregnator at Home Insemination Kit.
In summary, HFI is proudly participating in a cutting-edge clinical trial aimed at improving IVF outcomes for women who have previously faced challenges. With the potential for enhanced pregnancy rates through innovative treatments, this is a significant step forward in fertility care.