Establishing a reproductive biorepository for basic and translational research: experience developing the reproductive subjects registry and sample repository

PURPOSE: To report experience designing and establishing a reproductive registry and sample biorepository and to describe initial subject characteristics and biospecimens. METHODS: Beginning in December 2017, patients presenting for reproductive care at the University of Michigan were approached for study enrollment. Following consent, subjects completed detailed reproductive and health questionnaires. A variety of reproductive specimens and tissues were collected and processed for multiple downstream applications. RESULTS: Subject enrollment began in December of 2017. There are currently 1798 subjects enrolled. Female participants report a variety of reproductive disorders. Available samples include semen, sperm, follicular fluid, granulosa cells, immature oocytes, ovarian and uterine tissue, and blood samples. CONCLUSION: We report the successful establishment of a reproductive registry and sample biorepository. Furthermore, we describe methods for collection and storage of a variety of reproductive tissue processed for multiple downstream translational applications.