At the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health, part of caring for our patients with the latest treatments and technologies is conducting the research that leads to new treatments. We study many different aspects of reproductive health, including fertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, genetics, hormonal imbalances and the transition into menopause. Our patients make this possible by volunteering to participate in clinical research projects.

If you are interested in participating in research or finding out about our current research opportunities, please contact our clinical research supervisor, Thom Remble (e-mail), or call 885-3598 to reach a clinical research coordinator.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Research

Click on a question to read the answer.

• Why is research important?
• Does participation in a study mean extra visits to the clinic?
• Will participating in research positively affect my chances of getting pregnant?
• Are there risks or side effects with participating in a research study?
• Will my personal information remain confidential?
• Will I be compensated for my participation?
• What if I want to discontinue participating in a study?
• Other Questions

University of California, San Francisco Experimental Subject's Bill of Rights

 

UCSF Current Research Studies

(Click on a a research study to learn more about it.)

• A Prospective Study of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Differences in Response to Infertility Treatments in Asians and Caucasians
• NIH-Reproductive Medicine Network Randomized Clinical Trial for embryo culture between 5% and 20% O2 (PhOx)
• Impact of Oxidative Stress on Embryo Quality
• The Role of Oxidative Stress in Ovarian Aging
• The Study of Heavy Metals in Assisted Reproductive Technology (SMART): Heavy metal exposure and IVF outcomes
• Noninvasive assessment of embryo implantation potential using 1H NMR metabonomics (NIH – funded)
• The Role of IGF in Human Ovary in Vitro
• The Effects of Secreted Embryonic Factors on Human Endometrium
• UCSF IVF Tissue Bank
• Other Research Links

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UCSF IVF Tissue Bank

California law requires that all individuals and couples undergoing In Vitro Fertilization be offered the opportunity to participate in research. Prior to an IVF treatment cycle all patients will receive an informational and consent packet specifically addressing this research. The UCSF IVF Tissue Bank, located at the University of California, San Francisco, has been established to provide researchers with the reproductive materials needed to perform several types of infertility, genetic, and general health research. These researchers will use the donated materials to improve understanding of human development, reproduction, and infertility with a goal of improving current treatment options. If tissue donors specifically agree, materials that are recovered during the normal course of IVF will be utilized. These materials include blood, follicular fluid, granulosa cells (those cells that nourish the egg and are recovered during egg aspiration) and culture media. Through a separate consent, embryos and gametes (eggs and sperm) may also be used to derive stem cells. This may ultimately lead to the development of treatments that may help those with life-threatening or chronic illnesses overcome their illness or improve their quality of life. Reproductive materials (eggs, sperm, and/or embryos) donated to the UCSF IVF Tissue Bank will never be donated to another couple. They will be used for research purposes only.

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Other Research Links

The Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study
http://www.keepsstudy.com/
Dr. Marcelle Cedars
The Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) is designed to address questions left unanswered by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). Specifically, this study is evaluating the impact of low dose estrogen in newly menopausal women. Cardiovascular and cognitive endpoints will be evaluated. Subject will be randomized to oral estrogen, transdermal estrogen or a placebo (sugar pill).

UCSF PCOS Multidisciplinary Clinic
http://coe.ucsf.edu/pcos/index.html
This is a multi-disciplinary clinic to treat and study women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

The UCSF Women’s Health Clinical Research Center
http://www.whcrc.ucsf.edu/

back to Our Services

The UCSF Center for Reproductive Health, located in Northern California's San Francisco Bay Area offers a comprehensive array of infertility evaluation and treatment options for both men and women. Our services include: Infertility Evaluation, Male Reproductive Health, Fertility Preservation, Reproductive Surgery, Tubal Reversal Surgery, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Ovulation Induction, Donor Sperm Insemination, Egg Donor Program for Donors, Egg Donor Program for Recipients, Embryo Donation Program for Donors, Embryo Donation Program for Recipients, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Gestational Surrogacy, Genetic Screening and Counseling Psychological Support.