Investigation of the physiological effects of Lipiodol® to improve couples'infertility – LIPIOFERT

Lipiodol® is a contrast product developed by Guerbet and used in particular to assess tubal patency in the context of female infertility. Several studies have shown that its use increases the chances of pregnancy in the following months. The objective of this project, presented by an academic team working alongside Guerbet, is to identify the physiological targets responsible for this effect with the aim of developing a new product that could improve the occurrence of natural pregnancies and the success of assisted reproductive technologies.
Our research program consists of three tasks carried out using the mouse and the rabbit model. The first will determine whether Lipiodol® has a direct or indirect effect on gametes and consequently on embryo quality and development. In particular, we will study its effects on sperm motility ex vivo and in vivo in the female reproductive tract in treated and untreated mice and rabbits. In addition, we will monitor fertilization rates (reflecting gamete quality) and implantation success’ rate (as readout of embryo quality). The second task will focus on the effect of Lipiodol® on the female reproductive tract. Through an exhaustive analysis of its action on the uterus (modulation of gene expression, microbiota and implantation rate) and on the oviduct (difference in expression, oviductal flow and secretome), we will identify the targets of Lipiodol® and determine the mechanisms behind the therapeutic effect. During the third task, we will seek to identify the active component(s) of Lipiodol® leading to improved pregnancy rates, and produce a new, even more effective, formulation.
If the active compound acts on sperm motility, it could be proposed to couples to stimulate conception following natural of artificial inseminations. If embryo implantation is improved, all medically assisted procreation techniques could benefit from this new treatment.