Clinical Research Summary

Our division has a long history of publishing high quality clinical research in the field of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. We have performed several prospective randomized trials regarding new aspects of in vitro fertilization and infertility. In addition, a number of outcomes-based studies have been published both in the arena of infertility treatment as well as benign gynecology. Dr. Brad Van Voorhis in particular has had an interest in analysis of cost-effective treatment and evaluation of the infertile couple. The performance of outcomes-based research is enhanced by the use of an extensive patient database that has been continuously updated since 1990 tracking infertility patients treated by inseminations, donor inseminations, and IVF at our center.

The University of Iowa also has an NIH sponsored General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). The unit is located in General Hospital and is staffed 24 hours/day by 12 research nurses. The unit includes 12 inpatient beds, outpatient facilities, a metabolic kitchen and research dietitians. There is also a GCRC core analytical laboratory devoted to high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy and radioimmunoassay on samples derived from GCRC studies. Other GCRC core resources available to investigations include ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, cardiovascular physiological measurements, and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of bone mineral density and body adiposity.

We also have a dedicated research nurse, Michelle Maifeld, RN, who aids in the performance of clinical studies. 

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