Environmental factors and Assisted Reproductive Treatment Outcomes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of environmental factors and pollutants on assisted reproductive treatment outcomes based on large database cohort analysis.
IRAS ID
319998
Contact name
Bee Kang Tan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research from multiple centres across the world has shown a correlation between environmental factors and pollutants (EFP) and subfertility; however, the evidence remains limited and nonspecific. EFP need to be explored in detail regarding the gradual increase of infertility experienced over the years. Reviewing epidemiologic evidence on this topic will clarify important associations, improve medical practices and deepen our ecologic awareness and consciousness.
The project will review UK-wide data to assess the impact of EFP on fertility and assisted reproductive therapy (ART) outcomes. The aim is to combine national databases that have been measuring the exposure of different EFP across the UK, with the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) database, which has been storing details of all couples facing fertility difficulties and receiving treatment in the UK since 1992, in order to identify possible links between EFP and treatment outcomes.
The results will provide unique information on regional and national UK fertility statistics of couples that require fertility treatment in order to conceive. The evidence will reflect the impact of EFP on fertility, provide more detailed information on the relevance of each type of subfertility and also indicate if the potential impact of EFP could be overcome with ART. Due to the temporal span of the databases, covering almost 3 decades, long- and short-term effects of EFP on ART outcomes over the years may become apparent. The database will also cover the treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and we will aim to carry out a subgroup analysis of couples treated at that time, when the pollution levels were at their lowest, to demonstrate possible direct and indirect associations between COVID-19 and environmental factors at that time.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0435
Date of REC Opinion
7 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion