GIFT study - Glucose in fertility testing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
GIFT study: Semen glucose concentrations and sperm motility in fertility testing
IRAS ID
241502
Contact name
Claire Meek
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Infertility, defined as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse, affects around 1 in 7 couples in the UK. Around a third of cases are likely to be caused by male factors. Semen analysis for assessment of sperm motility is fundamental in the assessment of male infertility. It has been recognised that sperm motility is declining worldwide and this may be related to increased prevalence of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Despite the recognition of the physical, hormonal and metabolic complications that diabetes may present for male reproductive health, there is currently no clinical recommendation to determine diabetic status in the investigation of infertility in heterosexual couples.
This project aims to assess the relationship between sperm motility and short-term and long-term glucose concentrations (measured using plasma glucose concentrations and HbA1c) in men under investigation for fertility.
Men who are referred for semen analysis will be asked to provide a blood sample. They will also be asked if the semen sample can be used for research purposes once clinical testing is completed.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0074
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion