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The Ottawa Fertility Centre is committed to the advancement of knowledge in both the clinical and basic reproductive sciences. We have been and continue to be involved in several importantresearch projects, many of them in collaboration with other centres around the world. We have often been the only Canadian centre participating in these multi-national trials. Experience and expertise gained through participation in research keeps the OFC at the forefront in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of infertility, not only benefiting our own patients, but all couples struggling to have a child. The following are important research projects in which the Ottawa Fertility Centre has played a key role.

Clinical Research Projects

Examination of the effectiveness and safety of a long-acting FSH preparation for ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (2006-2008), conducted in partnership with NV Organon.

A study of the effectiveness of a GnRH antagonist in the prevention of premature LH surges during ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination (2003), conducted in partnership with NV Organon.

Examination of the effectiveness of ovulation induction using the Puregon Pen® (2000), conducted in partnership with NV Organon.

A comparison of the effectiveness of GnRH antagonist and GnRH agonist protocols for in vitro fertilization (1997), conducted in partnership with Organon, Inc.

Examination of the effectiveness oftwo different doses of recombinant FSH for use in in vitro fertilization (1996-1997), conducted in partnership with NV Organon.

Basic Science Research Projects

Program in Oocyte Health, funded by the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Funding of $2,781,446 (2003-2008). Principal investigator: Dr. Jay M Baltz, University of Ottawa.

Derivation and establishment of unique human embryonic stem cell lines (Since 2006), funded by the Stem Cell Network. Project leader: Dr. Mickie Bhatia, University of Western Ontario.

Examination of the impact of Trichloroethylene, a substance widely used by mechanics and dry cleaners, on sperm production (1999-2002), funded by the Toxic Substance Research Initiative, Health Canada ($90,000). Principal investigator: Dr. Poh-Gek Forkhert, Queen's University.

Analysis of environmental toxin levelsin reproductive fluids (Starting in 2008). Project leader: Dr. Robert L Reid, Queen's University.

Furthermore, OFC physicians, scientists and nurse have an extensive record of publication in scientific journals and presentation of research findings at national and international conferences. Please click here to see a list of publications and presentations by members of the Ottawa Fertility Centre.

Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

Lambalk CB, Leader A, Olivennes F, Fluker MR, Andersen AN, Ingerslev J, Khalaf Y, Avril C, Belaisch-Allart J, Roulier R, Mannaerts B. Treatment with the GnRH antagonist ganirelix prevents premature LH rises and luteinization in stimulated intrauterine insemination: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentretrial. Hum Reprod 2006;21(3):632-9.

Leader A; Monofollicular Ovulation Induction Study Group. Improved monofollicular ovulation in anovulatoryor oligo-ovulatory women after a low-dose step-up protocol with weekly increments of 25 international units of follicle-stimulating hormone. Fertil Steril. 2006;85(6):1766-73.

Orisaka M, Orisaka S, Jiang J, Craig J, Wang Y, Kotsuji F, Tsang BK. Growth Differentiation Factor-9Is Anti-Apoptotic during Follicular Development from Preantral to Early Antral Stage. Mol Endocrinol. 2006;20(10):2456-68.

Bielanska M, Jin S, Bernier M, Tan SL, Ao A. Diploid-aneuploid mosaicism in human embryos cultured to the blastocyst stage. Fertil Steril. 2005;84(2):336-42.

Coverdale LE, Martin C. Epigenomics – genome wide modifications of cytosine and new dimensions in our understanding of differentiation and disease. Curr Genomics. 2005;6:491-500.

Erdogan S, Fitzharris G, TartiaAP, Baltz JM. Mechanisms regulating intracellular pH are activated during growth of the mouse oocyte coincident with acquisition of meioticcompetence. Dev Biol. 2005;286:352-360.

Wang Y, Leader A. Non-anonymous(ID-release) donor sperm is not the preferred choice of women who are undergoing assisted human reproduction. Fertil Steril 2005;84 Suppl1:151.

Coverdale LE, Lean D, Martin CC. Not just a fishing trip - environmental genomics using the zebrafish. Curr Genomics. 2004;5:395-407.

Coverdale LE, Martyniuk CJ, Trudeau VL, Martin CC. Differential expression of the methyl-cytosine binding protein 2 gene in embryonic and adult brain of zebrafish. Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 2004;153:281-7.

Pillai R, Coverdale LE, Dubey G, Martin CC. Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC-1) is required for the formation of craniofacial cartilage and pectoral fins in zebrafish. Dev Dyn. 2004;231:647-54.

Tao J, Craig RH, Johnson M, Williams B, Lewis W, White J, Buehler N. Cryopreservation of human embryosat the morula stage and outcomes after transfer. Fertil Steril. 2004;82(1):108-18.

Wu J, Wang Y, Xiao W, MeyerKB, Schmidt KM, Morris RE, Degen SJF; La Barbera AR. Assessment of Recombinant Porcine Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Using a Novel Polyclonal Ectodomain Antibody. Endocr Res. 2004;30(2):269-85.

Bielanska M, Tan SL, Ao A.Chromosomal information derived from single blastomeres isolated from cleavage-stage embryos and cultured in vitro. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(6):1304-11.

Ma JX. Applications of prostate gland fluid via physical massage in sperm preparation for ICSI. Journal of Reproductive Medicine (Chinese). 2003;12(1):13-4.

Wang Y, Rippstein PU, Tsang BK. Role and gonadotrophic regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein expression during rat ovarian follicular development in vitro. Biol Reprod. 2003;68;610-9.

Bielanska M, Tan SL, Ao A. Chromosomal mosaicism throughout human preimplantation development in vitro: incidence, type, and relevance to embryo outcome. Hum Reprod. 2002;17(2):413-9.

Bielanska M, Tan SL, Ao A. High rate of mixoploidy among human blastocysts cultured in vitro. Fertil Steril. 2002;78(6):1248-53.

Bielanska M, Tan SL, Ao A. Different probe combinations for assessment of postzygotic chromosomal imbalances in human embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2002;19(4):177-82.

Wang Y, Chan S, Tsang BK. Involvement of inhibitory nuclear factor-kB (NFkB)-independent NFkB activation in the gonadotropic regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis expression during ovarian follicular development in vitro. Endocrinology. 2002;143:2732-40.

Wang Y, Asselin E, Tsang BK. Involvement of transforming growth factor a in the regulation of rat ovarian X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein expression and follicular growth by follicle-stimulating hormone. Biol Reprod. 2002;66:1672-80.

Fluker M, Grifo J, Leader A, Levy M, Meldrum D, Muasher SJ, Rinehart J, Rozenwaks Z, Scott RT Jr, Schoolcraft W, Shapiro DB; North American Ganirelix Study Group. Efficacy and safety of ganirelix acetate versus leuprolide acetate in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Fertil Steril 2001;75(1):38-45.

Bielanska M, Tan SL, Ao A. Flourescence in-situ hybridization of sex chromosomes in spermatozoa and spare preimplantation embryos of a Klinefelter 46,XY/47,XXY male. Hum Reprod. 2000;15 (2) 440-4.

Out HJ, Lindenberg S, Mikkelsen AL, Eldar-Geva T, Healy DL, Leader A, Rodriguez-Escudero FJ, Garcia-Velasco JA and Pellicer A. A prospective, randomised, double-blind clinical trial to study the efficacy and efficiency of a fixed dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (Puregon) in women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(3):622-7.

Bielanska MM. Telomeric probes for FISH: Technical aspects and clinical applications. M.Sc. Thesis. McGill University. 1997.

Bielanska MM, Khalifa MM, Duncan AMV. Pallister-Killian Syndrome: a mild case diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Review of the literature and expansion of the phenotype. Am J Med Genet. 1996;65:104-8.

Presentations at national and international conferences

Wang Y, Heddon G, Spacek A, Léveillé MC, Tsang BK, Leader A. Does X-ray scan compromise the quality of gametes during cross-border transportation? Poster presentation, 53^rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society. Halifax, NS. September 26-29, 2007.

Wang Y, Spacek A, Claman P, Léveillé MC. Feasibility and accountability of computer assisted sperm morphology analysis compared to manual morphology assessment. Oral presentation, 53^rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society. Halifax, NS. September 26-29, 2007.

Jiang JY, Wang Y, Tsang BK. Thyroid hormone increases Xiap expression in the regulation of ovarian follicular growth and atresia. 52^nd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, November 15-18, 2006. Ottawa, ON.

Min JK, Claman P. Oral contraceptive pre-treatment does not influence oocyte yield in poor responders undergoing gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist cycles for in vitro fertilization. Oral presentation, 2005 American Society of Reproductive Medicine/Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society co-joint annual meeting. Montreal, QC. October 17, 2005.

Neal MS, Allen T, Cowan L. Comparison of two different culture media on preimplantation embryo growth and quality. 50^th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, Jasper, AB. November 23-27, 2004.