Intralipid and IVF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does Intravenous Intralipid modulate Natural Killer Cells, platelet and endothelial function and improve the outcome of patients undergoing IVF?
IRAS ID
139126
Contact name
Thozhukat Sathyapalan
Contact email
Research summary
Failure of the embryo to implant is a major problem in IVF. Recent studies have shown that immune function through peripheral and uterine Natural Killer cells may be associated with this problem.
Intralipid has been shown to be effective in suppressing these cells in patients with recurrent implantation failure although this only looked into Peripheral Natural Killer cells. The suppressive effect following 3 infusions of Intralipid lasted between 6 and 9 weeks on average.
This research project is one year study to assess whether there is a relationship between baseline immune function through peripheral and uterine natural Killer cell ratios prior to Intralipid infusions. Does this possible relationship change throughout the treatment with Intralipid, is it related to endothelial function and platelet function and is there any effect on pregnancy rates following the Intralipid infusion
Currently intralipid is being used in clinical practice according to this protocol. There is will be no change in clinical practice other than additional blood samples being taken at the beginning and at the end of each infusion. Each research participant will have 3 infusions of Intralipid. The first dose of Intralipid is administered during the mid-stimulation phase of the IVF cycle. The second dose is administered around the time of embryo transfer. The third dose of Intralipid is administered around the time immediately after a positive pregnancy test.
Subanalysis on subgroups at particular high risk such as those with Polycystic ovaries, unexplained fertility and recurrent implantation failure will be undertaken to see if there is any correlation with immune, endothelial or platelet function changes.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/YH/0395
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion