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Effect of GnRH Agonist vs GnRH Antagonist on IVF/ICSI Outcomes.

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
In Vitro Fertilization
Infertility
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Interventions
Drug: recombinant-FSH or recombinant-FSH + human Menopausal Gonadotropin
Drug: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
Registration Number
NCT04724343
Lead Sponsor
Damascus University
Brief Summary

The aim of this prospective, non-randomised, open-label, clinical trial is to compare the effects of two pituitary suppression regimens; GnRH Agonist-Long Protocol and GnRH Antagonist-Flexible Protocol on clinical and embryological IVF/ICSI outcomes, and on the follicular fluid levels of Placental Growth Factor (PlGF); which is known for his pivotal role in the regulation of ovulation, embryo development, and implantation.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women undergoing IVF/ICSI.
  • Age: 18-39 years.
  • Both ovaries present.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Age ≥ 40 years.
  • History of three or more previous IVF failures.
  • Patients with hormonal disorders like hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disorders.
  • Patients with Polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Patients who previously undergo Unilateral Oophorectomy.
  • Patients with chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases.
  • Patients with diseases may affect IVF outcomes: Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, Hydrosalpinx, Adenomyosis, autoimmune diseases,
  • Cancer.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Antagonist Group (Flexible protocol):Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)The ovarian stimulation in this group will be started with recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (r-FSH) or r-FSH + human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) on the third day of the menstrual cycle and the dose will be adjusted according to the ovarian response. Initiation of 0.25 mg of GnRH antagonist; Cetrorelix; will take place after detecting a leading follicle diameter ≥ 14 mm. GnRH antagonist administration will be continued till the day of ovulation triggering, which will be accomplished by given 10,000 IU of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) when at least three follicles become more than 16-17 mm. After 35±2 hours of ovulation triggering, the oocytes will be retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. Then they will be prepared to undergo an Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Agonist Group (Long protocol):recombinant-FSH or recombinant-FSH + human Menopausal GonadotropinThe pituitary down-regulation in this group will be carried out using 0.05-0.1 mg of Triptorelin acetate subcutaneously (SC) once daily from the mid-luteal phase (day 21) of the menstrual cycle until the ovulation triggering day. When the suppressive effect is obtained, ovarian stimulation will commence with recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (r-FSH) or r-FSH + human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) and the dose will be adjusted according to the ovarian response. Ovulation will be triggered by the administration of 10,000 IU of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) when at least three follicles become more than 16-17 mm. After 35±2 hours of ovulation triggering, the oocytes will be retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. Then they will be prepared to undergo an Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Agonist Group (Long protocol):Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)The pituitary down-regulation in this group will be carried out using 0.05-0.1 mg of Triptorelin acetate subcutaneously (SC) once daily from the mid-luteal phase (day 21) of the menstrual cycle until the ovulation triggering day. When the suppressive effect is obtained, ovarian stimulation will commence with recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (r-FSH) or r-FSH + human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) and the dose will be adjusted according to the ovarian response. Ovulation will be triggered by the administration of 10,000 IU of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) when at least three follicles become more than 16-17 mm. After 35±2 hours of ovulation triggering, the oocytes will be retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. Then they will be prepared to undergo an Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Antagonist Group (Flexible protocol):recombinant-FSH or recombinant-FSH + human Menopausal GonadotropinThe ovarian stimulation in this group will be started with recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (r-FSH) or r-FSH + human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) on the third day of the menstrual cycle and the dose will be adjusted according to the ovarian response. Initiation of 0.25 mg of GnRH antagonist; Cetrorelix; will take place after detecting a leading follicle diameter ≥ 14 mm. GnRH antagonist administration will be continued till the day of ovulation triggering, which will be accomplished by given 10,000 IU of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) when at least three follicles become more than 16-17 mm. After 35±2 hours of ovulation triggering, the oocytes will be retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. Then they will be prepared to undergo an Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Agonist Group (Long protocol):Triptorelin acetateThe pituitary down-regulation in this group will be carried out using 0.05-0.1 mg of Triptorelin acetate subcutaneously (SC) once daily from the mid-luteal phase (day 21) of the menstrual cycle until the ovulation triggering day. When the suppressive effect is obtained, ovarian stimulation will commence with recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (r-FSH) or r-FSH + human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) and the dose will be adjusted according to the ovarian response. Ovulation will be triggered by the administration of 10,000 IU of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) when at least three follicles become more than 16-17 mm. After 35±2 hours of ovulation triggering, the oocytes will be retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. Then they will be prepared to undergo an Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Antagonist Group (Flexible protocol):CetrorelixThe ovarian stimulation in this group will be started with recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (r-FSH) or r-FSH + human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) on the third day of the menstrual cycle and the dose will be adjusted according to the ovarian response. Initiation of 0.25 mg of GnRH antagonist; Cetrorelix; will take place after detecting a leading follicle diameter ≥ 14 mm. GnRH antagonist administration will be continued till the day of ovulation triggering, which will be accomplished by given 10,000 IU of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) when at least three follicles become more than 16-17 mm. After 35±2 hours of ovulation triggering, the oocytes will be retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. Then they will be prepared to undergo an Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Follicular fluid Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) Concentrations:Immediately after oocyte retrieval (35±2 hours after hCG administration)

Follicular fluid samples will be obtained on the day of oocyte retrieval, then they will be centrifuged to eliminate cellular elements and debris. After that, the supernatants will be frozen at -80 until assayed using an Eliza kit.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of oocytes retrieved:Immediately after oocyte retrieval (35±2 hours after hCG administration)

The oocytes will be retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration 35±2 hours after hCG administration.

Number of Metaphase II Oocytes (MII):Within two hours after oocyte retrieval

The oocyte maturity will be assessed using Nikon SMZ1500 stereoscope.

Maturation Rate%:Within two hours after oocyte retrieval

Maturation Rate is calculated by dividing the number of mature (MII) oocytes by the number of retrieved oocytes.

Fertilization Rate%:16-18 hours after microinjection

Fertilization Rate is calculated by dividing the number of obtained zygote (2PN) by the number of injected oocytes.

High Quality Embryos rate%:Day of transfer (2 or 3 days after microinjection)

High Quality Embryos rate is calculated by dividing the number of high quality embryos (Grade I) by the total number of cleavaged embryos.

Biochemical Pregnancy Rate% (Per Embryo Transfer):2 weeks after embryo transfer

Biochemical pregnancy is defined as a positive serum beta-hCG pregnancy test after 2 weeks of embryo transfer. The biochemical pregnancy rate is calculated by dividing the number of women who are biochemically pregnant by the number of women who have at least 1 embryo transferred.

Cleavage Rate%:Day 2 after microinjection

Cleavage rate is calculated by dividing the number of cleavaged embryos by the number of zygotes (2PN).

Embryo Quality:Day of transfer (2 or 3 days after microinjection)

Embryos are assessed using Nikon SMZ1500 stereoscope based on ESHRE criteria (2011).

Clinical Pregnancy Rate% (Per Embryo Transfer):3-4 weeks after embryo transfer

Clinical pregnancy is defined as the presence of a gestational sac on ultrasound after 3-4 weeks of embryo transfer. The clinical pregnancy rate is calculated as by dividing the number of women who are clinically pregnant divided by the number of women who have at least 1 embryo transferred.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Orient Hospital

🇸🇾

Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

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