The Impact of Having a Tattoo on Fertility Treatment Outcome

NCT07405879 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-11525
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 328
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Tattoos are increasingly common among women of reproductive age, yet their potential systemic inflammatory effects and impact on fertility treatment outcomes are unknown. This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate whether the presence, size, duration, and ink characteristics of tattoos are associated with pregnancy outcomes following embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Conditions

Infertility; Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes

Keywords

In vitro fertilization; Embryo transfer; Live birth; pregnancy; Assisted reproductive technology; Tattoos; Chronic inflammation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Ongoing Pregnancy Rate

  Presence of fetal heartbeat on ultrasound at ≥12 weeks

  12 weeks gestation

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Clinical pregnancy rate

  6-8 weeks of gestation

• Biochemical pregnancy

  4-5 weeks of gestation

• Miscarriage rate

  before the 20th week of pregnancy

• Ectopic pregnancy rate

  upto 10 weeks of gestation

• Live birth rate

  over 23 weeks of gestation

Study Arms (2)

Tattoo Group

Participants undergoing IVF with planned embryo transfer who have one or more tattoos at the time of embryo transfer.

No Tattoo Group

Participants undergoing IVF with planned embryo transfer who do not have any tattoos at the time of embryo transfer.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of women aged 21 to 40 years undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a planned fresh or frozen blastocyst embryo transfer at a single academic fertility center. Eligible participants must have at least one good-quality blastocyst available for transfer and provide informed consent. Participants are prospectively followed and categorized based on the presence or absence of tattoos at the time of embryo transfer. Pregnancy and obstetric outcomes are assessed through review of medical records over the study follow-up period.

You may qualify if:

• Women aged 21-40 years Undergoing IVF with planned fresh or frozen blastocyst embryo transfer Availability of good-quality blastocyst embryos Willingness to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Significant untreated uterine abnormalities
• ≥3 prior failed embryo transfers Hydrosalpinx in situ BMI \>40 kg/m² Age \>41 years at embryo creation Submucosal fibroids in situ Use of medications affecting implantation (e.g., chronic steroids, metformin)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre: lead

Study Sites (1)

MUHC Reproductive Centre

Montreal, Quebec, H2L4S8, Canada

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Xie J, Yan L, Cheng Z, Qiang L, Yan J, Liu Y, Liang R, Zhang J, Li Z, Zhuang L, Hao C, Wang B, Lu Q. Potential effect of inflammation on the failure risk of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer among infertile women. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2020 Sep;23(3):214-222. doi: 10.1080/14647273.2018.1543898. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

  PMID: 30477363 BACKGROUND

• Mukherjee N, Sharma R, Modi D. Immune alterations in recurrent implantation failure. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2023 Feb;89(2):e13563. doi: 10.1111/aji.13563. Epub 2022 May 29.

  PMID: 35587052 BACKGROUND

• Islam PS, Chang C, Selmi C, Generali E, Huntley A, Teuber SS, Gershwin ME. Medical Complications of Tattoos: A Comprehensive Review. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2016 Apr;50(2):273-86. doi: 10.1007/s12016-016-8532-0.

  PMID: 26940693 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Infertility

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital Diseases; Urogenital Diseases

Study Officials

• michael haim dahan, MD

  McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

michael haim dahan, MD

CONTACT

+14389907707; thedoctormichaeldahan@gmail.com

maya shavit, MD

CONTACT

+14385963979; maya.genel@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 5 Years
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 5, 2026
• First Posted: February 12, 2026
• Study Start: February 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 28, 2031
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 28, 2031
• Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)