Current Research Projects at IVFWales
Mechanisms of Egg Activation at Fertilization
Professor Karl Swann is studying how sperm initiates development when it fuses with an egg during fertilization. Above is a snapshot of mouse eggs undergoing activation with PLCzeta a protein found in sperm (the red colours indicate activation). Current research looks at the role of PLCzeta in mammalian fertilization, and early embryo development.
The Use of DHEA in Poor Responder Patients
Mrs Janet Evans is carrying out a study on women with infertility who have resistant ovaries which do not respond well to the drug stimulation required to obtain eggs for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). There is some evidence from the USA that a drug called DHEA can improve the response of the ovaries in this situation and help them to make good quality eggs, thus improving the success of these treatments.
Differences in PLC in Patients Sperm Samples
Lyndon Miles in collaboration with Professor Karl Swann is looking for differences in the PLC protein found in patients sperm samples. The aim of the research is to identify possible causes of failure of pregnancy in relation to the form of PLC in a sperm sample.