The Reproductive Subjects Registry And Sample Repository (Rsrsr): Establishing A Biorepository For The Study Of Reproductive Health.

Biorepositories are an invaluable resource for conducting population-wide studies into the pathophysiology of complex disease. Despite their utility in translational research, there are very few reports of biobanks dedicated to the fields of reproductive health and infertility. Here we describe our experience establishing a reproductive biorepository and specifically discuss the collection of samples from subjects undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gynecologic procedures. Prospective enrollment and collection of biological specimens and clinical information. The Reproductive Subjects Registry and Sample Repository (RSRSR) was established in 2017. Collection of samples began in 2018. Consenting individuals presenting for care at the University of Michigan were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire collecting demographic information, medical history, and focused gynecologic and fertility history. Patients consented to donate biological samples that would otherwise be discarded after treatment. IVF materials collected include blood, urine, follicular fluid, granulosa cells, cumulus cells, and immature and unfertilized oocytes. Surgical specimens include benign endometrium, myometrium, fallopian tube, ovarian tissue, and cervix. All samples are processed using vitrification, flash freezing, paraffin embedding, or placed in RNAlater© and aliquoted for storage. There are currently 1169 female patients enrolled in RSRSR. The average age of female participants at the time of enrollment is 42.9 years (range 18.5-80.6 years). The mean BMI is 29.4 (range 15.1-68.9). Participants are predominately Caucasian (80.5%) and Non-Hispanic (89.7%). They are also highly educated, with >65% reporting a Bachelor's degree or higher and >46% reporting an annual household income of >$100,000. 21.4% of female participants reported a history of infertility, and a range of gynecologic disorders were also reported including menorrhagia (21.5%), metrorrhagia (15.1%), fibroids (21.5%), polycystic ovarian syndrome (13.5%), and endometriosis (9.9%). IVF specimens collected to date include 98 unique cycle samples of follicular fluid, granulosa cells, immature oocytes, and cumulus cells. Surgical samples are available from 146 unique patients with aliquots of benign endometrium, myometrium, fallopian tube, ovarian tissue, and cervix. Herein, we report our success establishing a reproductive biorepository and subject registry. Additionally, we have created a streamlined process for collection of samples from women undergoing IVF. The collection of these unique biological samples linked with clinical information allows for a comprehensive investigation of women undergoing IVF and gynecologic surgery. Furthermore, these samples are processed and stored using a variety of methods, facilitating multiple downstream analyses. As one of the few existing biorepositories centered on reproductive health and infertility, RSRSR offers tremendous potential for innovative and translational research in reproductive medicine.