Metformin in Step-down Regimen Versus Conventional Low Dose Step-up Protocol in Patients With PCOS Undergoing IVF

Phase 4

• Conditions: Infertility; PCOS
• Interventions: Drug: Metformin, gonadotropins in step-down regimen; Drug: Placebo, gonadotropins in step-up regimen

• Registration Number: NCT01438190
• Lead Sponsor: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Brief Summary

Because many women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are very sensitive to the use of gonadotropins, several strategies have been proposed to reduce the risk of Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancies.

The low dose step-up protocol and the step-down protocols in PCOS patients have been described in literature.

The step-down regimen is designed to achieve the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) threshold through a loading dose of FSH with a subsequent stepwise reduction as soon as follicular development is observed on ultrasound. On the contrary the step-up regimen is based upon the principle of a stepwise increase in FSH supply to determine the FSH threshold for follicular development. After commencement of gonadotropin administration, if follicle development is not observed on ultrasound after 1 week, an increase in the dose is recommended. Once follicle growth is observed, the same FSH dose is maintained until follicular selection is achieved.

Preliminary studies report that both step-up and step-down regimens achieve similar high rates of monofollicular development. However, the largest study published so far has shown that the step-up regimen is safer in terms of monofollicular development.

Recent data demonstrate that metformin administration in infertile PCOS patients who are at high-risk for OHSS reduces the incidence and severity of OHSS during gonadotropin ovarian stimulation in a step-down regimen for in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs.

The aim of the present study will be to compare the conventional low dose step-up protocol and the combined protocol consisting in metformin and gonadotropin step-down regimen.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2011-09-19
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-09-20
• Study First Posted: 2011-09-22
• Study Start: 2013-06
• Status Verified: 2013-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-07-11
• Last Update Posted: 2013-07-12
• Primary Completion: 2013-12
• Study Completion: 2014-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 120

Inclusion Criteria

• PCOS
• Infertility
• High responders

Exclusion Criteria

• Poor responders
• Major medical conditions

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Experimental	Metformin, gonadotropins in step-down regimen	Metformin plus step-down protocol
Control	Placebo, gonadotropins in step-up regimen	Placebo and step-up protocol

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
OHSS rate	one month	Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
cancellation rate	one month	rate of cancelled cycle for high risk of OHSS or low response
pregnancy rate	one month
live-birth rate	nine months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

"Pugliese" Hospital; 🇮🇹 Catanzaro, Italy