Our Research
PEDI-LIFE
The Pedi-LIFE program at UCSF was started by Dr. James Smith and now directed by Dr. Yi Li. The program offers cryopreservation of testicular tissue in boys who must undergo gonadotoxic therapies and may lose their future fertility. As these patients are yet unable to produce semen samples for preservation, we offer testicular biopsy and storage of testis tissue with the hopes that future research will lead to fertility options utilizing this stored tissue.
We are investigating long term fertility outcomes and semen analysis parameters of adults who had surgery in childhood for undescended testicles. We are currently recruiting patients who have had this surgery in the past.
Fertility outcomes after orchiopexy
We are investigating long term fertility outcomes and semen analysis parameters of adults who had surgery in childhood for undescended testicles. We are currently recruiting patients who have had this surgery in the past.
Research Team
Image
Laurence Baskin, MD
Collaborator and Mentor
Dr. Baskin is the former division chief of pediatric urology at UCSF. He is a prolific researcher and has been a longtime mentor to Dr. Li.
Image
Mei Cao, MD
Lab Manager and Technician
Dr. Cao has been a lab technician and lab manager in the urology department at UCSF for over 20 years. She is an expert in xenografting techniques and has contributed to multiple projects and publications in the lab.
Image
Pablo Suarez
Medical Student
Pablo is a fourth-year medical student at UCSF who is interested in urology and infertility. He is spending his year working on our project investigating fertility outcomes in patients who have had orchiopexy surgery in the past.
Fertility Study with Open Enrollment
_______________________
Status: Active, Enrolling
_______________________
Fertility Outcomes after Orchiopexy
A study on the effects of orchiopexy for the management of cryptorchidism, or undescended testicles on long-term fertility outcomes.
Description
Undescended testicles are a common pediatric urologic condition for which orchiopexy is recommended between 6 and 18 months of age. Delayed treatment can be associated with a higher risk of infertility. However, the impact of this procedure on long-term fertility outcomes, including reproductive success, semen quality, and epigenetics, remains understudied. This study aims to investigate perioperative factors, such as age at the time of surgery and testicular location, in relation to fertility outcomes.
The Li Lab is partnering with certified laboratories, Fellow and PathFertility, to assess semen quality and epigenetic data through mail-in semen kits. These new technologies allow for a deeper understanding of the relationship between undescended testicles and fertility pathophysiology. Additionally, enabling patients to collect samples in the comfort of their homes helps reduce the stress and logistical challenges of on-site fertility testing, thus expanding access to high-quality and accurate fertility testing to a broader population.
Eligibility
- Adult male individuals (18-49) with prior history of orchiopexy for undescended testicles
- You can join if:
- Subject is of reproductive age (18-49) and has had an orchiopexy during childhood to treat undescended testicles.
- Subjects must be in good general health with no evidence of prior treatments for infertility.
- Subject is fluent in both written and spoken English.
- Subject provided written informed consent and is willing to comply with the study procedures.
- You can’t join if:
- Subject has no surgical history of orchiopexy for undescended testicles
- Subjects have had an orchiectomy, or removal of testicles in the past
- Subjects had chemotherapy or infertility treatments that could impact their fertility
- Subject has any other condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, would make them unsuitable for the study.
If you are unsure if you qualify for this study, simply email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, please fill out this form and we will follow up via email with more details.
- You can join if:
Requirements
- Participation in this study involves the following:
- Filling out an online validated fertility survey
- Self-collection of 2 semen samples at home to send out to certified laboratories for analysis
Location
- Remote study conducted by the Department of Pediatric Urology
Team
- Lead PI: Dr. Yi Li, MD Assistant Professor in Pediatric urology
- Research Coordinators: Pablo Suarez, 4th Year UCSF Medical Student