MedPath

Delayed Embryo Transfer in Poor Responders

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Infertility
Interventions
Procedure: IVF/ICSI
Registration Number
NCT02431689
Lead Sponsor
Cairo University
Brief Summary

Poor ovarian response indicates inadequate ovarian response to ovarian stimulation. In the current study the investigators will attempt to compare antagonist and short protocols regarding oocyte as well as embryo quantity and quality. Frozen embryo transfer will be performed in order to abolish iatrogenic effect of stimulation drugs on implantation. Still implantation and pregnancy rates are considered secondary outcomes.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
400
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patient selection is based on the ESHRE consensus group 2011 definition of poor ovarian response (POR) (Bologna criteria):

  • At least two of the following three features must be present:

    1. Advanced maternal age (≥40 years) or any other risk factor for POR;
    2. A previous POR (≤3 oocytes with a conventional stimulation protocol);
    3. An abnormal ovarian reserve test (i.e. Antral follicle count (AFC) <5-7 follicles or Antimullerian hormone (AMH) <0.5-1.1 ng/ml).

Two episodes of POR after maximal stimulation are sufficient to define a patient as poor responder in the absence of advanced maternal age or abnormal Ovarian reserve test (ORT). By definition, the term POR refers to the ovarian response and, therefore, one stimulated cycle is considered essential for the diagnosis of POR. However, patients over 40 years of age with an abnormal ORT may be classified as poor responders since both advanced age and an abnormal ORT may indicate reduced ovarian reserve and act as a surrogate of ovarian stimulation cycle. In this case, the patients should be more properly defined as expected PORs.

Exclusion Criteria
  • Women with endometriosis, endocrinal problems, uterine abnormalities as well as male azospermia.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ShortIVF/ICSIShort protocol for IVF/ICSI, gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) starts from day 1 of the cycle, HMG starts in a dose from 300-450 IU from day 3, Follow-up by ultrasound and serum estradiol will be done. Triggering of ovulation using human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) 10000 IU I.M. when at least 2-3 follicles reach 17mm in diameter. Cryopreservation of all embryos at will be done. Frozen embryo transfer in the following cycle will be attempted using estradiol valerate (6mg) for endometrial preparation after pituitary down regulation using long acting GnRH analogue . A maximum of 3 good quality embryos will be transferred.
AntagonistIVF/ICSIAntagonist protocol (fixed) for IVF/ICSI, with starting dose of human menopausal gonadotrophins (HMG) from 300-450 IU from day 1 of the cycle, antagonist start from day 6 stimulation. Follow-up by ultrasound and serum estradiol will be done. Triggering of ovulation using human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) 10000 IU I.M. when at least 2-3 follicles reach 17mm in diameter. Cryopreservation of all embryos at will be done. Frozen embryo transfer in the following cycle will be attempted using estradiol valerate (6mg) for endometrial preparation after pituitary down regulation using long acting GnRH analogue . A maximum of 3 good quality embryos will be transferred.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of good embryos3-5 days after ovum pickup

the number of good quality embryos obtained from each patient

Number of Metaphase II (MII) oocytes9-14 days from stimulation

Number of MII oocytes collected from each patient on the day of ovum pickup (OPU)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
chemical pregnancy rate14 days after embryo transfer

positive serum Beta HCG 14 days after embryo transfer

Ongoing pregnancy rate3 months

Pregnancy ongoing beyond 12 weeks gestation

clinical pregnancy rate5 weeks after embryo transfer

the detection of intrauterine gestational sac with positive pulsations

Implantation rate5 weeks after embryo transfer

the ratio between the number of embryos transferred and the number of sacs

Live birth rate9 months

Pregnancy ending with a live birth

Early miscarriage rate3 months

Pregnancy loss in the first 12 weeks gestation

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Nile IVF center

🇪🇬

Giza, Egypt

IVF centre, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Cairo University Hospitals (Kasr EL Aini)

🇪🇬

Cairo, Egypt

Kamal Shaeer center of infertility

🇪🇬

Giza, Egypt

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