Contents:

• Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Research
• Current Reproductive Research Projects
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Facilities
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Mentor

• For additional information , visit our Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology UVM Research page page.

Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Research 

Clinic
2000 square feet, with two nursing offices; one for general clinical, and one for IVF and research functions. Three M.D. provider offices shared by all M.D. staff. One clinical laboratory, three patient conference rooms, six examination/treatment rooms, and two examination/ultrasound rooms. The clinic is staffed with seven nurses specializing in infertility services. The division of reproductive endocrinology also includes a full-time IVF nurse coordinator, part-time donor oocyte coordinator, clinical research coordinator, psychologist specializing in women's health, and an andrology laboratory specialist who work closely with the fellows and faculty. An academic secretary located in the Given Building works with fellows and faculty.

In-Vitro Fertilization
In January 1994, the IVF Laboratory relocated to its new and expanded location in the Ambulatory Services Center. Additions include an area for cryopreservation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection and growth of the current IVF laboratory to accommodate the expanding IVF and donor oocyte program. The laboratory is adjacent to the oocyte retrieval/embryo transfer area. All IVF activities, including media preparation, oocyte assessment, sperm preparation, fertilization, cryopreservation, and ICSI, are performed in the IVF laboratory under the supervision of Calvin Wilkinson, Senior Embryologist.

Clinical Research Center
There is a twelve-bed General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont. The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology has frequently utilized this facility to conduct clinical research. Space and financial resources are available for appropriate projects.

Academic Offices
Divisional faculty have offices in the Given Building of the College of Medicine, adjacent to the laboratory space and secretarial support. Fellows' office and laboratory space are located in the College of Medicine, adjacent to faculty offices.

Laboratory
There is 3,400 square feet of research space within the department. All of the research space is available for faculty and fellows to utilize as appropriate.

Back to Top

Current Reproductive Research Projects

1. Hormone replacement and metabolic cardiovascular risk. National Institutes of Health (R29 AG15121). 12/98-11/03. Cynthia K.Sites, M.D., P.I. $528,500.

2. GCRC CAP. National Institutes of Health (M01 RR10932S2). 7/92-6/02. Cynthia K.Sites, M.D., P.I. $585,439.

3. Progestins and mechanisms of insulin resistance. National Institutes of Health (2 R01 AG15121). Submitted; 7/02-6/07. Cynthia K.Sites, M.D., P.I. $1,613,750.

4. Energetic adaptation to the menopausal transition. National Institutes of Health (R01 AG13978). 8/97-9/02. Dwight Matthews, P.I.; Cynthia Sites, M.D., Co-I.

5. Mechanotransduction by vascular smooth muscle. National Institutes of Health (R01) 7/98-6/03. George Osol, PhD., P.I. $922,992.

6. Steroidal modulation of uterine vascular function. National Institutes of Health (R01) 7/99-6/04. George Osol, PhD., P.I. $1,300,000.

7. Uterine vascular response to steroid signaling. National Institutes of Health (R01 HL63101). 7/99-6/03. Ira Bernstein, M.D., P.I.; Julia Johnson, M.D., Co-I. $1,133,010.

8. Mechanisms of uterine vascular adaptation in pregnancy. National Institutes of Health (R01). Submitted; 4/02-3/07. Natalia Gokina, PhD., P.I. $1,372,710.

9. Phase III Study of DMPA subcutaneous injection - women of childbearing potential in the Americas. Pharmacia and Upjohn. 5/01-5/03. Julia Johnson, M.D., P.I. $189,000

10. Phase III Study of DMPA subcutaneous injection in women with endometriosis in the United States and Canada. 5/01-9/02. Peter R. Casson, M.D., P.I. $39,275.

11. Testosterone transdermal patch in postmenopausal women. Proctor and Gamble. 3/02-3/03. Peter R. Casson, M.D., P.I.

12. A comparison between the effects of tamoxifen and raloxifene therapy on vascular reactivity in a pressurized vascular segment model. ACOG/Solvay Pharmaceuticals Research Award in Menopause. 7/00-6/02. Brian M. Clark, M.D., P.I. (Mentor: Julia V. Johnson, M.D.). $20,000.

13. The effect of hormone replacement on cardiovascular hemodynamics and blood volume in postmenopausal women. ACOG/Parke-Davis Award to Advance Women's Health Care. 7/98-6/00. John M. Storment, M.D., P.I. (Mentor: Cynthia K. Sites, M.D.). $20,000.

14. Effects of estradiol and progesterone on cardiac protein synthesis and IGF-1 expression. American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists grants, submitted; 7/02-6/03. Jerald S. Goldstein, M.D., P.I. (Mentor: Michael J. Toth, Ph.D.). $20,000.

15. PI-PLC Function in Pregnant Rat Myometrium. Grant NIH HD28506-06. 12/01-3/03. Mark Phillippe, MD, P.I. $433,722.

16. Ischemia and Reperfusion Effects on Cerebral Artery Function. National Institutes of Health. (R01 #NS40071-01). 4/99-3/04. Marilyn J. Cipolla, PhD, P.I. $1,233,589.

17. Modulation of Vascular Permeability by Myogenic Tone and Cerebral Ischemia. Totman Center for Cerebrovascular Research. 10/00-9/02. Marilyn J. Cipolla, PhD, P.I $10,000.

18. High Resolution Laser Speckle Strain Gauge for Biomedical Research and Diagnostics. National Science Foundation. 8/98-6/02. Sean Kirkpatrick, PhD, P.I., Marilyn J. Cipolla, PhD, Collaborator. $318,049.

19. Cerebrovascular Effects of Tissue Plasminogen Activator. Genentech, Inc., Marilyn J. Cipolla, PhD, P.I.

Back to Top

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Facilities

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has a Division of Reproductive Investigation whose primary function is to conduct original investigations into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie reproductive function and dysfunction. This group consists of a mixture of Ph.D. and M.D. investigators, including George Osol, Ph.D. (Division Director) Marilyn Cipolla, Ph.D., Natalia Gokina, Ph.D., Ira Bernstein, M.D., Marjorie Meyer, M.D., Cynthia Sites, M.D., and Edward Chien, MD Investigations are centered on a common theme - steroidal modulation of female cardiovascular function - and, in terms of experimental approach, span the clinical-molecular spectrum. Clinical studies are carried out in the General Clinical Research Center, or on the Ob/Gyn patient care facilities, both located within the hospital.

The Division of Reproductive Investigation is located in Given, the medical school building adjacent to the hospital. Approximately 3,400 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space is available for Ob/Gyn research use. Clinical fellows normally pursue research projects under the mentorship of Ob/Gyn faculty. In addition, the research division acts as a conduit for fellows wishing to conduct investigations beyond the scope of intra-departmental research. For example, in previous years, studies were carried out in collaboration with other basic science Departments, e.g. Anatomy and Neurobiology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Biomedical Technology. The Gynecology laboratory, also located in the Given Building, currently performs a range of hormone assays (estrogen, progesterone, FSH) using ELISA methodology for measuring circulating hormone levels in human or animal plasma.

A full array of equipment is available for fellows' use, including: a fluorescent spectrophotometer, tissue culture incubators, scintillation counters, specialized systems for in vitro study of vascular reactivity and structure, centrifuges, freezers and refrigerators, cold room, laminar flow hood, gel electropheresis equipment, etc. Other facilities available within the medical school are utilized on a fee-for-service basis, including a Cell Imaging Facility, which provides access to light-, confocal-, electron-, atomic force-microscopy and associated image-enhancement/analysis programs, a statistical/biometric service, medical photography, graphic design, flow cytometry, etc. For studies involving animals, the University of Vermont College of Medicine has a fully accredited Small Animal Facility located in the basement of the medical school that assists with the management, care and use of small mammals.

Back to Top

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Mentor

In order to meet the goals of the three-year fellowship program, we have divided the research experience over the three years of the program. Under the direction of the Divisional Director, a Fellow in their first year will use a half day each week to become exposed to those clinical and basic science projects which are of particular interest to them. The purpose is to develop a proposal to be initiated in the second year of the fellowship.

The Fellow would be required to submit a written proposal in a standard small grant format to the division. In addition, they will present their proposal to our research division meeting for critique by the group. Emphasis will be placed on the appropriate experimental design and proposed data analysis. Dr. Capeless is responsible to ensure that by the end of the first year, the fellow has chosen a research project and a research mentor. Once chosen, the research mentor will give Dr. Capeless regular updates on the fellow's progress in the project.

The second year will be devoted to this research project, with sufficient time in the third year to complete the study. It is intended this will be submitted at a national meeting. Most fellows have a basic science project and a clinical project in their last two years.

Close interaction with the research faculty will be encouraged. Our primary teaching strength in the past has been to this particular means of communication.

Multiple educational opportunities exist here for additional collaborative research in either a clinical or basic science level, both within and outside the department. The Physiology Department is internationally known for its interest in smooth muscle physiology, and Department of Medicine is a recipient of a SCORE grant to study coagulation. Our previous fellows have successfully worked with the departments of physiology, anatomy, and hematology.

Back to Top