The research division of Woman’s Hospital’s lab services conducts clinical and molecular biology/genetic research, including technical and administrative support, for the medical staff and community. Our goal is to promote women's and infant's health research while enhancing medical care and improving patient outcomes. Research initiatives are chosen by their potential to ultimately improve the health care of women and infants in this region.

Woman's Hospital researchers collaborate with many researchers at institutions across the United States, including: American College of Surgeons Oncology Group, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Louisiana State University, Pennington Biomedical Research Institute, University of Washington at Seattle, and several pharmaceutical companies.

All research studies are submitted to Woman's Hospital’s Research and Development Council (R&D). The R&D is a multidisciplinary group of individuals, appointed by the Woman's Hospital Foundation Chair, to oversee clinical research at the hospital and to refer studies involving human subjects to the Woman's Hospital Foundation Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review.

In addition to research endeavors, the hospital’s research staff provides non-research services to Woman's Hospital and surrounding communities.
These activities include:
• Molecular-based clinical diagnostic testing
• Program development and support 

Current Studies

1. Relationship between Periodontal Disease and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Woman’s Health Research Institute Invites you to take part in a New Study. Woman’s Hospital and Tulane University Health Science Center are studying the association between periodontal disease and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Gum disease is the most common infectious disease and could affect up to 50% of pregnant women. There is growing evidence suggesting that there is a relationship between periodontal disease and type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Studies have found a link between gum disease and diabetes but there is no previous research that has studied the relationship between periodontal disease and GDM in pregnant women.

We are looking for 144 women who meet the following criteria:

• At least 18 years of age
• Have taken GDM screening tests between 20-30 weeks
• English-speaking
• Have not had type 1 or 2 diabetes before this pregnancy
• Have not taken insulin and other anti-diabetic drugs before this pregnancy
• Must have at least 20 teeth
• No contraindications to probing in a dental examination such as heart disorders
• No history of fen-phen use
• Have not had periodontal treatment (scaling or surgery) during the last 3 months

You will receive a free dental exam and $30 for your time. If you are interested or have questions, please call 221-231-5275.

2. Effects of aerobic exercise training on insulin action and body fat in PCOS
Female volunteers are needed for a study at Pennington Biomedical Research Center to determine the effects of aerobic exercise training on insulin action and body fat in polycystic ovary syndrome. Two groups of women will be enrolled:

1. Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - volunteers will take part for 16 weeks
2. Women without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - volunteers will take part for 2 weeks

Participants must be:

• Age 18-30
• Overweight, with a BMI >25
• Non-smoker
• Non-diabetic
• Without any chronic illnesses
• Not taking any medications
• Not pregnant or breastfeeding

PCOS Group:

• Have irregular menstrual cycles (fewer than 6 cycles per year)
• Willing to exercise at Pennington Biomedical Research Center for 16 weeks
• Free Personal Training and Exercise Sessions At Pennington Health & Fitness Center!

Compensation: $150-$500. Call 763-3000 to qualify.

3. Pregnancy Insulin Resistance and Subsequent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

In order to study the relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), Woman's Health Research Institute is conducting a study to validate a convenient and sensitive measurement of insulin resistance and beta-cell function in pregnant African-American women and Caucasian women who are at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus. We will further examine whether there are differences in IR, which vary by race in our patient population, which may result in new strategies for the clinical screening and management of pregnant women at Woman's Hospital.

This study is open to African-American and Caucasian women between 18-42 years of age who are 24-28 weeks of gestation and whose physician has ordered a 3-hr oral glucose tolerance test. Patients who wish to participate in the study cannot be currently taking medication known to influence carbohydrate metabolism or have known diabetes mellitus, liver, heart, lung, or kidney disease.

In addition to the blood samples that are drawn for a standard 3-hr glucose tolerance test, patients who consent to the study will have a single additional tube of blood drawn at 30 minutes for measurement of insulin and glucose and extra blood withdrawn for insulin determinations at all other standard time points. This study does not require the physician to order the additional tests, which will be provided at no cost to the patient. Patients must consent for the study prior to the first blood draw of their glucose tolerance test to participate. All the laboratory results will be provided to the physician along with the ordered glucose values. Physicians will receive the standard glucose tolerance interpretations from the 3-hr OGTT. Interpretation of the insulin secretory function will be provided at completion of the study.

If you are interested in participating please contact Woman's Health Research Institute at 225-231-5275. Please complete and submit this screening form to help us determine if you qualify to participate in the research study.