About SMART Labs

300 Park Street, Suite 370, Birmingham, MI 48009

• Phone: 248-593-9810
• Fax: 248-593-9811
• E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Michael S. Mersol-Barg, MD, Medical and Laboratory Director

SMART Labs stands for Southeastern Michigan Assisted Reproductive Technologies Laboratories. The SMART Labs facility features state-of-the-art equipment, a custom-designed air filtration system, the very latest technology and techniques, and highly qualified staff with a particular focus on personalized care. We offer both andrology services and IVF services.

Pioneers in Egg Freezing

SMART Labs is home to Michigan's first and only FROZEN DONOR EGG BANK. Thus far, twenty-two beautiful babies have been born, the first on July 23, 2010; please see the press release on our home page for further details. We expect more births as several more patients are currently pregnant with babies from frozen eggs.

SMART Labs is also proud to have produced Michigan's first pregnancy with a frozen embryo that was created from a frozen egg that had been thawed and then inseminated and cultured. Only a handful of programs in the world have accomplished this amazing feat of freezing and thawing an egg, freezing and thawing the resultant embryo and then transferring into the patient resulting in an on-going pregnancy (twin pregnancy!).

When you consider freezing your eggs, it's essential to check the laboratory's track record. Because vitrification, the newest freezing technology, is relatively rare in Michigan, SMART Labs is the state's only lab to successfully freeze eggs and then thaw them to produce babies. SMART Labs is also one of the few IVF programs in the country to freeze eggs, fertilize them and then help patients to have babies from those previously frozen eggs.

Andrology Laboratory

• Complete semen analysis
• Complex semen analysis
• Post-ejaculate urine analysis
• Insemination preparation of semen
• Pre-In Vitro Fertilization semen analysis
• Strict (Kruger, W.H.O. 5th Edition) semen analysis is always used
• Detailed analysis reports with proposed plan sent to referring doctors in one working day
• Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration: PESA
• Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration: MESA
• Testicular Sperm Extraction: TESE
• Sperm and testis tissue cryopreservation
• Sperm and testis tissue storage for one year

In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory

• Egg retrieval surgery
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: ICSI
• Laser-guided assisted hatching
• Co-culture of embryos
• Blastocyst extended-culture
• Microdrop insemination of oocytes
• Frozen embryo thaw and transfer
• Ultrasound-guided embryo transfer
• Biopsy for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

Vitrification: the most advanced technology for embryo freezing, which is already showing superior pregnancy rates compared to the more common freeezing protocol used in most area labs. This process is also used for egg freezing

Embryo storage for one year. We recommend Reprotech for long-term storage.

We also accept frozen embryos from other programs (see tab under "Information for Patients" for details)

Custom-designed separate air filtration and handling system for IVF Lab & Procedure Room to provide the perfect environment for eggs, embryos, tissue and sperm. We also have a natural gas generator system to assure that no harm will come if there's a power outage.

Strict quality control and quality assurance techniques for the handling of eggs, embryos, tissue and sperm. We are proud of the fact that our labs have NEVER been cited for deficiencies, even with surprise inspections. EVERY inspector has been complimentary and some have even asked us to present our strategies at national laboratory meetings.

Egg freezing and storage (for up to one year) for cancer patients, women seeking to preserve fertility or couples with ethical/religious concerns about freezing embryos. We offer discounted fees for cancer patients.

Michigan's first and only FROZEN DONOR EGG BANK. Thus far, our frozen egg bank has produced over twenty babies with many more on-going pregnancies.

Michigan's first pregnancy with a frozen embryo that was produced using an inseminated frozen egg. Only a handful of programs in the world have accomplished this amazing feat of freezing, thawing, freezing, thawing and then transferring into the patient.

Our Assurance to You that SMART Labs Provides the Highest Quality Services Possible

We are proud of the fact that our labs have NEVER been cited for deficiencies, even with surprise inspections. EVERY inspector has been complimentary and some have even asked us to present our strategies at national laboratory meetings.

FDA Inspections

SMART Labs had its first F.D.A. inspection in August 2007 and passed with zero items to be corrected! To our knowledge, this is the highest compliment that the F.D.A. could bestow on a lab. The F.D.A., which arrives without notice, specifically looks at the quality control and assurance that sperm, eggs and embryos are handled appropriately and responsibly.

In April, 2010, the F.D.A. returned for another surprise inspection. The inspector was here for three days, and, at the end, she commended us for going "beyond the bar." Once again, SMART Labs passed with zero items to be corrected! We are proud of our wonderful staff who work so hard to assure the highest quality for every patient. Please know that the standards we apply every single day have assured that each inspector has given SMART Labs the best possible evaluation.

Because our labs have earned only positive F.D.A. assessments, this is your assurance that our labs are functioning at the highest possible level of care. When you consider which lab to trust for your health care needs, it's important to know if the lab is fulfilling its quality commitment. The F.D.A.'s website will list any lab that has had significant issues; however, we want you to know that we have had NO issues and are upholding the highest standards.

CAP Inspections

In October 2007, SMART Labs had its first inspection by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). SMART Labs passed with zero items to be corrected. Further, the inspector said that in 14 years of inspecting labs, this was the finest facility the inspector had ever evaluated.

In September, 2009, another CAP inspector also passed SMART Labs with zero items to be corrected! This inspector was impressed enough to say that this is the best lab that had been inspected and asked for permission to use some of the methods we use for documentation and quality control.

Our most recent inspection, in September, 2011, was another "perfect" experience. In fact, our inspector was so impressed with our laboratories and staff that she invited our embryologists out to her own lab for a visit and an opportunity to work side-by-side.

According to CAP's press release about SMART Labs' inspection, "The laboratory's director was congratulated for the 'excellence of the services being provided'. During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory's records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine the entire staff's qualifications, the laboratory's equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients."

We are truly honored by such strong praise and will continue working to make SMART Labs the best quality laboratory for our patients and referring physicians. Please know that when you come to SMART Labs, you will receive care at the highest standard possible--and we've got the inspections to prove it!

Physicians Who Provide Surgical Services at SMART Labs

• Kenneth Goldman, MD, Urologist specializing in male infertility
• Luana Kyselka, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
• Michael Mersol-Barg, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
• Brenda Moskovitz, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist