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Michael Alper, MD

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Dr. Michael Alper (he/him) is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist at Boston IVF and a Clinical Professor at Harvard Medical School. He specializes in all aspects of fertility care.

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Michael Alper

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Michael Alper, MD

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Biography

Dr. Michael Alper co-founded Boston IVF in 1986. He is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology/Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

He specializes in all aspects of infertility care.

Dr. Alper is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School, where he teaches the next generation of fertility experts and performs crucial research to improve future care. He contributes to infertility articles, abstracts, letters, and actively lectures at scientific meetings throughout the world.

He is the author of "The Boston IVF Handbook of Infertility” - which is widely considered the preeminent print resource in the field of reproductive medicine.

His continued dedication to improving the efficiency of fertility treatments has led to Boston IVF becoming the first ISO-certified IVF clinic in North America. This prestigious designation underscores his commitment to quality and safety in the field.

Dr. Alper grew up in Canada and received his undergraduate and medical school degrees from McGill University in Montreal. Following medical school, he spent an internship year at the University of Toronto before being accepted to the Harvard Medical School Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. After completing his OB/GYN residency, Dr. Alper returned to Canada to focus on clinical research in reproductive medicine at the University of Ottawa. Subsequently, he returned to Boston to complete his research fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Beth Israel Hospital and the Harvard Medical School in Boston.

IVF technology was in its very early stages in 1986 when Dr. Alper co-founded Boston IVF, one of the nation’s first free-standing IVF centers. The goal was to transform state-of-the-art technologies into a patient-centered, outpatient setting.

Dr. Alper has led Boston IVF as its Medical Director for 25+ years and remains instrumental in helping to make it one of the most well-respected, academically-affiliated IVF centers in the world.

Awards

  • Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award | 2022-2023

Interview

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My role as a physician is to be transparent in any situation and provide hope and optimism during the good time and bad.
Michael Alper
Michael Alper, MD

MD Q&A

Why Did You Become a Fertility Expert?
I have always been fascinated by human reproduction and how a sperm and an egg ultimately becomes a human being. Even after practicing reproductive medicine for so many years, it still seems so amazing to me. More importantly, I remain in awe of the positive impact that children have on their parents, even during the teenage years! The emotional rewards and close bonds that parents have with their kids is just a wonderful thing!

What About Boston IVF Makes You Proud?
Most certainly our staff. It's what truly differentiates Boston IVF from the rest. Our doctors, nurses, administrative staff and so many others work so hard to help our patients. Boston IVF is my second family! We would do anything to help each other on both a personal and professional level. The respect we have for each other and our patients is something I'm so proud of. I have only had one professional job – and it started some 30 years ago when I co-founded Boston IVF.

What is Your Approach to Patient Care?
My missions to provide solutions and hope. At the end of the day, we cannot control so many things that come "onto our plates" in our lives - but WE CAN control what we do about them and how we react. My role as a physician is to be transparent in any situation and provide hope and optimism during the good time and bad.

Have Any Patients Truly Inspired You?
I am so incredibly inspired by patients who seek my care after having been unsuccessful with treatments elsewhere. In the face of an unsuccessful IVF, they have placed their trust in me to help resolve their issues and I am honored to have that opportunity. 

How Do You Spend Your Free Time?
I especially love spending time with my kids and wife, Karin. Additionally, I am fascinated by aviation and have been a licensed pilot for many years.

What Music Do You Enjoy Listening to?
I've been listening to Los Lonely Boys as of late.

How Would You Describe Your Personality?
I am serious and quite focused while at work. Otherwise, I think I am the opposite! I like to laugh and be a bit goofy.

Publications

Recent Selected Publications

1. Baker VL, Glassner MJ, Doody K, Schnell VL, Gracia C, Shin SS, Behera MA, Le Saint CM, Alper MM, Pavone ME, Zbella EA, Coddington CC, Marshall LA, Feinberg RF, Cooper AR, Straseski JA, Broyles DL. Validation study of the Access antimüllerian hormone assay for the prediction of poor ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation. Fertil Steril. 2021 08; 116(2):575-582. PMID: 33812650

2. Robins JC, Khair AF, Widra EA, Alper MM, Nelson WW, Foster ED, Sinha A, Ando M, Heiser PW, Daftary GS. Economic evaluation of highly purified human menotropin or recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone for controlled ovarian stimulation in high-responder patients: analysis of the Menopur in Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Antagonist Single Embryo Transfer-High Responder (MEGASET-HR) trial. F S Rep. 2020 Dec; 1(3):257-263. PMID: 34223253; PMCID: PMC8244378

3. Sakkas D, Howles CM, Atkinson L, Borini A, Bosch EA, Bryce C, Cattoli M, Copperman AB, de Bantel AF, French B, Gerris J, Granger SW, Grzegorczyk-Martin V, Lee JA, Levy MJ, Matin MJ, Somers S, Widra EA, Alper MM. A multi-centre international study of salivary hormone oestradiol and progesterone measurements in ART monitoring. Reprod Biomed Online. 2021 Feb; 42(2):421-428. PMID: 33279419

4. Sakkas D, Barrett CB, Alper MM. Types and frequency of non-conformances in an IVF laboratory. Hum Reprod. 2018 12 01; 33(12):2196-2204. PMID: 30388228

5. Rottiers AS, Dalewyn L, Somers S, Alper MM, Sakkas D, Gerris J. Correlation between sonographic follow-up of follicular growth, serum and salivary estradiol in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (IVF/ICSI). Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2018 Dec; 10(4):173-179. PMID: 31367289; PMCID: PMC6658202

6. Baker VL, Gracia C, Glassner MJ, Schnell VL, Doody K, Coddington CC, Shin SS, Marshall LA, Alper MM, Morales AJ, Pavone ME, Behera MA, Zbella EA, Shapiro BS, Straseski JA, Broyles DL. Multicenter evaluation of the Access AMH antimüllerian hormone assay for the prediction of antral follicle count and poor ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation. Fertil Steril. 2018 08; 110(3):506-513.e3. PMID: 29960708

7. Alper MM, Fauser BC. Ovarian stimulation protocols for IVF: is more better than less? Reprod Biomed Online. 2017 Apr; 34(4):345-353. PMID: 28169189

8. Vaughan DA, Leung A, Resetkova N, Ruthazer R, Penzias AS, Sakkas D, Alper MM. How many oocytes are optimal to achieve multiple live births with one stimulation cycle? The one-and-done approach. Fertil Steril. 2017 02; 107(2):397-404.e3. PMID: 27916206

9. Kaser DJ, Goldman MB, Fung JL, Alper MM, Reindollar RH. When is clomiphene or gonadotropin intrauterine insemination futile? Results of the Fast Track and Standard Treatment Trial and the Forty and Over Treatment Trial, two prospective randomized controlled trials. Fertil Steril. 2014 Nov; 102(5):1331-1337.e1. PMID: 25226857

10. Goldman MB, Thornton KL, Ryley D, Alper MM, Fung JL, Hornstein MD, Reindollar RH. A randomized clinical trial to determine optimal infertility treatment in older couples: the Forty and Over Treatment Trial (FORT-T). Fertil Steril. 2014 Jun; 101(6):1574-81.e1-2. PMID: 24796764

11. Alper MM, International Standards Organization. Experience with ISO quality control in assisted reproductive technology. Fertil Steril. 2013 Dec; 100(6):1503-8. PMID: 24112531

12. Domar AD, Alper MM. Acupuncture - placebo? Fertil Steril. 2013 Oct; 100(4):e21. PMID: 23932818

13. Egli D, Chen AE, Saphier G, Powers D, Alper M, Katz K, Berger B, Goland R, Leibel RL, Melton DA, Eggan K. Impracticality of egg donor recruitment in the absence of compensation. Cell Stem Cell. 2011 Oct 04; 9(4):293-4. PMID: 21982228

14. Domar AD, Rooney KL, Wiegand B, Orav EJ, Alper MM, Berger BM, Nikolovski J. Impact of a group mind/body intervention on pregnancy rates in IVF patients. Fertil Steril. 2011 Jun; 95(7):2269-73. PMID: 21496800

15. Fauser BC, Alper MM, Ledger W, Schoolcraft WB, Zandvliet A, Mannaerts BM, Engage Investigators. Pharmacokinetics and follicular dynamics of corifollitropin alfa versus recombinant FSH during ovarian stimulation for IVF. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011 Feb; 22 Suppl 1:S23-31. PMID: 21575846

16. Fauser BC, Alper MM, Ledger W, Schoolcraft WB, Zandvliet A, Mannaerts BM, Engage Investigators. Pharmacokinetics and follicular dynamics of corifollitropin alfa versus recombinant FSH during ovarian stimulation for IVF. Reprod Biomed Online. 2010 Nov; 21(5):593-601. PMID: 20843746

17. Domar AD, Smith K, Conboy L, Iannone M, Alper M. A prospective investigation into the reasons why insured United States patients drop out of in vitro fertilization treatment. Fertil Steril. 2010 Sep; 94(4):1457-1459. PMID: 19591985

18. Reindollar RH, Regan MM, Neumann PJ, Levine BS, Thornton KL, Alper MM, Goldman MB. A randomized clinical trial to evaluate optimal treatment for unexplained infertility: the fast track and standard treatment (FASTT) trial. Fertil Steril. 2010 Aug; 94(3):888-99. PMID: 19531445

19. Alper MM, Smith LP, Sills ES. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: current views on pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, and management. J Exp Clin Assist Reprod. 2009 Jun 10; 6:3. PMID: 20485578

20. Sills ES, Alper MM, Walsh AP. Ovarian reserve screening in infertility: practical applications and theoretical directions for research. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2009 Sep; 146(1):30-6. PMID: 19487066

Dr. Alper's Additional Resources

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Michael Alper, MD Featured in WBZ-TV Segment on Natural IVF
Jan 21, 2016 | In The News While in Treatment
Michael Alper, MD Featured in WBZ-TV Segment on Natural IVF

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