Research Training

The academic facility of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology houses over 12,000 square feet of laboratory space. Specific laboratories are dedicated to molecular biology, cell biology, neuroendocrinology, reproductive immunology, electron microscopy, radioimmunoassays, and infectious disease. The Fellows may utilize any or all of these facilities, in order to acquire specific laboratory skills.

The laboratory experience begins soon after entry into the program. Individualized training is designed to teach Fellows research techniques, experimental design, data evaluation, and manuscript submission for publication of their research project. Laboratory experience in microsurgery and endoscopy is an integral part of the training during the first year. Models, extirpated specimens, and animals are used in the laboratory training in microsurgery and endoscopy. During the second year, fellows spend time in the radioimmunoassay (RIA), molecular biology, cell biology, and ART laboratories.

In the RIA/Cell and Molecular Biology laboratories, Fellows are exposed to the technical aspects of measuring steroid and protein hormone levels in biological specimens. This training involves methods of extraction and isolation of hormones, preparation of standard curves for the assay and the quantification of unknown amounts of hormones/proteins in the specimens. In addition, methods of data analysis and trouble shooting various assay problems are presented. Complementary training in the detection, measurement and assay techniques for hormone receptor proteins may be acquired. Fellows will also learn standard molecular biology techniques including in situ hybridization, RNA/DNA isolation and Northern and Southern blotting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), RNA estimation using reverse transcription PCR and other methods. Procedures for studies of mitogen signal transduction and preparation of transfected cell lines useful for these analyses are presented. Training in the ART laboratory includes methods of semen analysis, preparation of semen samples for intrauterine insemination, gamete/embryo in vitro culture techniques, and micromanipulation techniques including intracytoplasmic sperm injection and assisted hatching.

During the basic laboratory training, the Fellow will participate in a specific research project(s). Major research areas include: 1) cell biology of endometriosis and endometrium, 2) neuroendocrinologic aspects of reproduction (hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis, pineal, pituitary), 3) gamete and embryo development and cryopreservation, 4) molecular biology of reproductive tissues, 5) mitogen mediated signal transduction during regulation of cell proliferation 6) genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome and 7) placental function.

In addition to these opportunities, experience has shown that some fellows are capable of, and benefit from, developing a project of their own initiation. This opportunity will also be available. We have found that this decision is best made by the fellow and the Program Director.

There are also numerous ongoing clinical studies involving treatment of infertility, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and menopause. Some of these studies involve patients being seen in the Fertility Center. We were a clinical center for the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). The WHI is an NIH-funded study that is the largest study ever conducted for women’s health. It focuses on health issues of menopausal women. The WHI clinical center affords interested fellows the opportunity to participate in ancillary studies related to various aspects of menopause and aging.

The Division also participated as a Clinical Site of The Reproductive Medicine Network (RMN), which was established in 1989 and funded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The RMN is a cooperative effort of multiple clinical sites, a data coordinating center, and the Reproductive Science Branch of the NICHD, and is charged with conducting and publishing high quality clinical studies in reproductive medicine.

Since 2009, the Division has participated in RMN clinical trials that address important aspects of reproductive medicine, namely, female infertility, male infertility, and multiple gestations as a result of ovulation induction.

Additional projects being conducted by the RMN are a Pregnancy Registry to examine pregnancy outcomes in the RMN protocols and a biospecimen and data repository for future use by investigators within and outside the Network.

Fellows may also take advantage of the clinical research infrastructure available at the Frederic C. Bartter General Clinical Research Center. This N.I.H. funded facility is located on the 7th floor of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System Audie Murphy Division Hospital, which is immediately adjacent to University Hospital. The Center serves both local veteran and non-veteran patients and provides support in laboratory studies, imaging, informatics, nursing and nutrition.