Better answers for fertility patients: Four research projects underway at Genea in Melbourne
Key takeaways
- Genea's clinics in Melbourne are currently running two clinical trials and two cohort studies, all focused on improving outcomes for fertility patients.
- One trial is investigating whether uterine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may help women with recurrent implantation failure.
- A randomised controlled trial is examining the role of PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy) in women aged 37 to 41.
- One cohort study is exploring the potential link between the maternal gut microbiome and female infertility.
- A second cohort study is comparing conservative and surgical management of moderate to severe endometriosis to understand which approach leads to better pregnancy outcomes.
For many people undergoing fertility treatment, some of the hardest situations to navigate are the ones that don't yet have clear answers. Should endometriosis be treated with surgery before trying to conceive? Why do some embryos fail to implant, even after multiple transfers? Does genetic testing of embryos improve outcomes for women in their late 30s and early 40s?
At Genea clinics based in Melbourne, our clinical team is working to answer these questions through four research projects, conducted alongside their everyday patient care.
Here we take a closer look at what each trial and cohort study involves and how it could help patients.
Clinical trial one: Investigating uterine PRP for recurrent implantation failure
Recurrent implantation failure, where embryos repeatedly fail to implant despite multiple transfers, can be one of the most distressing experiences in fertility treatment, particularly when there is no clear explanation.
Led by Dr Genia Rozen, one of the trials underway at Genea Melbourne is investigating the use of uterine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in women with recurrent implantation failure. PRP is prepared from a patient's own blood and contains concentrated growth factors. The trial is exploring whether introducing PRP into the uterus may support the conditions needed for an embryo to implant.
"When embryos repeatedly fail to implant, the absence of an explanation can be as distressing for patients as the outcome itself,” Dr Rozen says. “By investigating whether PRP may help create a more receptive environment for implantation, we hope to add to the evidence and give patients and clinicians clearer guidance about whether this treatment has a role to play."
For patients who have faced repeated unsuccessful transfers, research like this is an important step towards understanding what more can be done.
Clinical trial two: Examining PGT-A for women aged 37 to 41
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. While it is widely used, questions remain about which patients benefit most from the technology.
This randomised controlled trial, considered the gold standard of clinical research, is examining the role of PGT-A in women aged 37 to 41, an age group where chromosomal abnormalities in embryos become more common.
"We know that chromosomal abnormalities in embryos become more common as women get older, which is why PGT-A is often discussed with patients in their late 30s and early 40s.” Dr Rozen explained. “What we are trying to answer with greater certainty is the extent to which testing improves the chance of actually taking home a baby for this age group."
The results will help clarify whether PGT-A improves outcomes for women in this group, giving future patients clearer, evidence-based guidance when deciding whether testing is right for them.
Cohort study one: Exploring the gut microbiome and female infertility
Alongside the two clinical trials, the team is also running a cohort study investigating the link between the maternal gut microbiome and female infertility.
The gut microbiome, the community of trillions of microorganisms living in the digestive system, is an emerging area of interest in reproductive health. Research in recent years has suggested the microbiome may play a role in regulating hormones, inflammation and immune function, all of which can influence fertility. What remains unclear is whether differences in the gut microbiome are directly associated with difficulty conceiving.
By comparing the gut microbiome of women experiencing infertility with that of those who conceive without difficulty, the study aims to identify patterns that could point to new avenues for diagnosis or treatment. While this research is still in its early stages, it could one day help clinicians understand why some women struggle to conceive when standard investigations return no clear answers.
Cohort study two: Comparing treatment approaches for moderate endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common cause of fertility challenges, with 30-50% of people with endometriosis experiencing subfertility. For women with moderate or severe endometriosis who are trying to conceive, an important question remains unanswered: is surgery the best path forward, or can conservative management achieve similar pregnancy outcomes, with or without assisted reproductive technologies?
"At the moment, two women with moderate or severe endometriosis might receive different advice about surgery depending on who they see,” explained Dr Samantha Mooney, gynaecologist and obstetrician at Genea Heidelberg. “By directly comparing surgical and conservative management, we hope to give women and their specialists a clearer basis for that decision."
Led by Dr Mooney, this cohort study (The ELFS Study) is comparing conservative and surgical management of moderate or severe endometriosis and assessing the impact of each approach on fertility and pregnancy outcomes. The findings could help women and their specialists make more informed decisions about whether, and when, surgery is the right choice on their path to pregnancy.
Why this research matters for patients
Research is how those questions get answered, and how fertility treatment continues to improve, not just for the patients of today, but for everyone who walks through our doors in the years to come.
Genea has a long history of research-led innovation in Australian fertility care, and studies like these reflect our ongoing commitment to evidence-based treatment. We look forward to sharing what these studies uncover and how the findings may help even more people on their path to parenthood.
FAQs
About the authors
Dr. Genia Rozen
Fertility Specialist MBBS (HONS), MRMED, FRANZCOG
Melbourne Fertility Specialist Dr Genia Rozen combines research expertise with personalised IVF care. Expert in fertility preservation.
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Dr. Samantha Mooney
Fertility Specialist MBBS (Hons), MRepMed, FRANZCOG
Dr Samantha Mooney specialises in complex fertility & endometriosis at Epworth Melbourne. PhD researcher offering evidence-based IVF treatment.
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