Project Grant R61HD123542

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development awarded The Washington University $396,259 on September 1, 2026, under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865) to develop and validate uterine peristalsis imaging (UPI), a noninvasive diagnostic technology that provides objective, quantitative measurements of uterine peristalsis to predict frozen embryo transfer outcomes.

Approximately 200,000 patients undergo frozen embryo transfer annually in the United States, with success rates remaining at approximately 60% despite high-quality embryos and correct timing. Current uterine receptivity assessment focuses on endometrial properties while neglecting myometrial contractile function, despite evidence that excessive uterine peristalsis reduces pregnancy rates by approximately 50 percent. The project will develop UPI to noninvasively and quantitatively assess uterine peristalsis during the frozen embryo transfer procedure, with preliminary data demonstrating that aberrant directional patterns of uterine peristalsis predict pregnancy outcomes.

Performance occurs at The Washington University's Office of Sponsored Research Services in St. Louis, Missouri. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028. The assistance type is a Project Grant.