Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Research

The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art fertility treatments for couples who have been unable to achieve a successful pregnancy, and, to advance our knowledge of reproductive disorders through ground-breaking translational research. The Division consists of nationally recognized physicians and scientists who are at the forefront of infertility and pregnancy loss evaluation and management and the understanding of reproductive disorders.

The Division’s clinical research covers many aspects of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, including studies on assisted reproductive technology impact on couples with infertility, long term consequences of fertility medication on women’s health, and the genomics of miscarriage. The Division also conducts molecular research on endometrial factors affecting embryo implantation.

This combination of clinical and research endeavors in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility provides a unique opportunity to meet the needs of the most unique patients with reproductive issues.

The Division is seeking funding to promote studies in patients with infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss and to remain at the forefront of reproductive research. This is a summary of ongoing projects in the areas of infertility and reproduction.

Division Research Projects

Frank González, MD

  • Treating Inflammation to Ameliorate Ovarian Dysfunction in PCOS – A Randomized Controlled Trial of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Therapy
Sana M. Salih, MD, MS
  • Elucidate factors that perturb follicular development and oocyte quality leading to infertility and diminished ovarian reserve 
  • Identify therapeutics and molecular shields to protect the ovary and preserve fertility. 
  • Investigating genetic basis for miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss   
  • Examine the impact of endometrial receptivity on infertility and recurrent early pregnancy loss. 

Humberto ‘Bert’ Scoccia, MD

  • Investigational Oocyte Cryopreservation for Medical and Nonmedical Indicators
  • Extended Follow-up of Women Evaluated and Treated for Infertility
  • Oncofertility consortium ovarian tissue cryopreservation
  • Impact of Endometrial Scratching and Chronic Endometritis on IVF Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss Rates
 Mary Stephenson, MD MSc
  • Genomic Changes in Human Miscarriages and their Functional Consequences
  • Optimal treatment for women with a Persisting Pregnancy of Unknown Location – a Randomized Clinical Trial of women at risk for an ectopic pregnancy:  Active Treatment versus No Treatment. The “ACT orNOT TRIAL”
  • University of Illinois Reproductive Loss Project (RLP)

Nicola Winston, Ph.D.

  • Assessment of factors involved in the regulation of human oocyte maturation
Institutional Review Board-Approved Clinical Research Projects in the UIC IVF Program
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is constantly striving to improve patient care at an individual level. To achieve this we have analyzed the data from completed IVF treatment cycles in several ways in order to ensure that the best care and treatment approach is being offered to every patient. The results from our studies have been selected for presentation at national meetings and have led us to make important changes to patient treatment such as selection of ovarian stimulation protocols, requirement for the use of aspirin, number of embryos to transfer and regulation of thyroid hormone levels during IVF treatment and pregnancy. Please find below a list of our current research projects:
1)     The use of different controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols for improving ovarian response of poor responder patients undergoing assisted reproduction techniques.
2)     Follow-up of patients who were treated with fertility drugs about 30 years ago (on average).
3)     Examining the effect of associated maternal factors on oocyte and embryo quality and IVF treatment outcome.
4)     Factors associated with twin conceptions following IVF treatment.
 
5)     The influence of gonadotropin preparations on the success of treatment outcome for women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.
6)     TSH level and thyroid antibody positivity effect on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women seeking in-vitro fertilization.
 
7)     Ovarian tissue freezing for fertility preservation in women facing a fertility threatening medical diagnosis or treatment regimen: a study by the National Physician’s Cooperative of the Oncofertility consortium at Northwestern University.

8)     Fertility preservation decisions among young women with a life threatening illness.

Investigational oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) for medical and non medical indications.

REI Division Peer Reviewed Publications

 

Frank González, MD

For a list of Dr. González’s publications, please click the following link:

Bert Scoccia, MD
For a list of Dr. Scoccia’s publications, please click the following link:

Mary Stephenson, MD, MSc
For a list of Dr. Stephenson’s publications, please click the following link:

Nicola Winston, PhD
For a list of Dr. Winston’s publications, please click the following link: