The OMEGA study investigates potential long-term health effects of fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It compares subfertile women who received IVF or ICSI with subfertile women who did not.

The OMEGA I cohort was established in 1995–1996 in collaboration with all IVF clinics in the Netherlands. It includes around 19,000 women who underwent IVF between 1983–1995 and 7,500 women who received other fertility treatments between 1980–1995. Participants completed questionnaires on fertility history, family background and lifestyle. Cancer incidence data were linked through the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

Between 2010 and 2013, the OMEGA II cohort expanded the study with 12,500 IVF/ICSI-treated women and 4,500 untreated subfertile women. Participants again completed questionnaires, and toenail samples were collected for DNA analysis to explore hereditary factors. The OMEGA study provides valuable insight into long-term health after fertility treatment thanks to the ongoing participation of thousands of women across the Netherlands.

Website: https://www.omega-onderzoek.nl/

Contactperson: Mandy Spaan