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CAPA-IVM Culture With Low Oxygen Tension

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
In Vitro Fertilization
Interventions
Other: Air Oxygen Concentration CAPA-IVM culture
Other: Low Oxygen Concentration CAPA-IVM culture
Registration Number
NCT06367985
Lead Sponsor
Mỹ Đức Hospital
Brief Summary

Capacitation in-vitro maturation (CAPA-IVM) has recently been advanced in culturing oocytes from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage following mild or no controlled ovarian stimulation. Recent research suggested that O2 concentration may significantly regulate oocyte maturation and early embryo development through hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Nonetheless, it has been challenging to create the environmental culture conditions for addressing the optimal number of oocytes and the highest possibility of embryo development since consensus on the oxygen (O2) concentration index in the IVM culture environment has not been reached. Based on the outcomes of atmospheric O2 concentration (20%) and low O2 concentration (5%) during CAPA-IVM culture in mice, it has been hypothesized that a 5% O2 was the optimal culture condition for the pre-IVM step. A 20% O2 was more suitable for the IVM culture step. Therefore, this study is designed to enhance the CAPA-IVM culture system, improving treatment efficiency and providing various benefits for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

Detailed Description

Capacitation in-vitro maturation (CAPA-IVM) has recently been advanced in culturing oocytes from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. This approach is a modified version of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), following mild stimulation or no controlled ovarian stimulation occurred. Specifically, IVM can be indicated for patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a higher number of secondary follicles (constituting nearly 15% of total patients), and treat a range of patients with the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation, venous thromboembolism or ovarian torsion. Additionally, CAPA-IVM helps shorten treatment time, is less expensive, and upgrades patient convenience without multiple follow-up examinations. The live birth rate after the first embryo transfer in the CAPA-IVM group was 35.2%, which was not statistically significantly different from the IVF group at 43.2% (risk difference -8.1%; 95% confidence interval from -16.6% to 0.5%). However, the number of high-quality embryos in each cycle and the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate in CAPA-IVM were still lower than in cIVF.

Moreover, further investigation should be considered due to the lack of high-quality evidence of concurrent reports. Therefore, improving the oocyte maturation conditions in CAPA-IVM to harvest the optimal number of oocytes and the highest possibility of embryo development is essential. Many studies conducted on both animal and human models have demonstrated that the effectiveness of CAPA-IVM depends on various factors. Among these, the environmental culture conditions such as oxygen (O2) concentration play a crucial role in producing healthy mature oocytes. O2 is a vital physical and chemical component of the fallopian tube, uterus and ovarian follicle, it is closely related to metabolic activity, oocyte maturation, and early embryo development. Recent research suggested that O2 concentration may significantly regulate oocyte maturation and early embryo development through hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). A consensus on the O2 concentration index in the IVM culture environment has not been reached. Oocyte-embedded culture systems have been commonly used in two O2 concentrations, 5% and 20% worldwide. In the human body, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) mature in conditions with low O2 concentrations ranging from 2% to 9%.

Conversely, COCs are exposed to an atmospheric O2 concentration of 20% during IVM manipulation and culture. Although the concentration of 5% mimics the most proper environment in the fallopian tube and uterus, the 20% O2 is widely applied in IVM techniques. The use of high concentrations facilitates a better progression of differentiation processes and increases the maturation rate of oocytes. However, some referential frames indicated that a 20% O2 may pose a risk of reactive oxidative stress (ROS), leading to an imbalance in the ratio of pro-oxidants to antioxidants, resulting in cellular damage. Furthermore, real-time respiration analysis of oocytes cultured at 5% O2 is similar to in vivo-developed oocytes but induced cellular activity and oxygen consumption at 20% O2. The impact of atmospheric O2 concentration (20%) and low O2 concentration (5%) during CAPA-IVM culture in mice shown in the study of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) - Belgium that the respiratory capability of COCs cultured at 5% O2 was relatively similar to COCs developing and maturing in vivo.

Nonetheless, COCs cultured at 20% O2 increased respiratory activity and oxygen consumption remarkably. The study observed that pre-IVM culture of COCs at 20% O2 caused developmental disruptions. Also, the result was unfavorable if mouse COCs were cultured at the IVM step with 5% O2. Based on these analyses, the researchers hypothesized that a 5% O2 was the optimal culture condition for the pre-IVM step, while a 20% O2 was more relevant to the IVM culture step. Combining these findings with results from VUB and characteristics of the differentiation process in CAPA-IVM oocytes, this study is divided into two main groups, including 5% pre-IVM and 20% IVM versus 20% pre-IVM and IVM) and demonstrates whether this hypothesis should be applied CAPA-IVM in human. The enhancement of the CAPA-IVM culture system leads to improved treatment efficiency of this technique and provides various benefits for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

Study procedure:

Screening for eligibility

* This trial will be conducted at My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

* Women who are potentially eligible will be provided information about the trial at the time of IVM treatment indication.

* Screening for eligibility will be performed on the day of the first visit when the IVM treatment is indicated.

* Patients will be provided information related to the study together with the informed consent documents. Signed informed consent forms will be obtained by the investigators from all women before the enrolment.

Oocytes will be divided into 2 groups:

Group 1 (includes 2 subgroups: 1A and 1B): Air Oxygen Concentration CAPA-IVM culture T = Total number of oocytes after OR and there are two subgroups.

The number of oocytes is divided below:

If T is an even number:

* Number of oocytes in Group 1A: One oocyte.

* Number of oocytes in Group 1B: T1B = (T-2)/2.

If T is an odd number:

* Number of oocytes in Group 1A: One oocyte.

* Number of oocytes in Group 1B: T1B = (\[T-1\]-2)/2. One oocyte remainder of the first patient will be assigned to group 1B, and the remainder of the next patient will be assigned to group 2B. Continuing to do so sequentially for the next remainder.

Group 2 (includes 2 subgroups: 2A and 2B): Low Oxygen Concentration CAPA- IVM culture T = Total number of oocytes after OR and there are two subgroups.

The number of oocytes is divided below:

If T is an even number:

* Number of oocytes in Group 2A: One oocyte.

* Number of oocytes in Group 2B: T2B = (T-2)/2.

If T is an odd number:

* Number of oocytes in Group 2A: One oocyte.

* Number of oocytes in Group 2B: T2B = (\[T-1\]-2)/2. One oocyte remainder of the first patient will be assigned to group 1B, and the remainder of the next patient will be assigned to group 2B. Continuing to do so sequentially for the next remainder.

Group 1A, 2A: Collecting after capacitation: oocyte and cumulus cell.

Group 1B, 2B: Collecting after capacitation: spent media, blank well. Collecting after maturation: spent media, cumulus cell, blank well.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18-42 years of age
  • Diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome according to the Rotterdam criteria (2003)
  • Indicating CAPA-IVM treatment
  • Having at least 40 antral follicles in two ovaries by transvaginal ultrasound at the time of CAPA-IVM indication
  • Agreeing to have frozen embryo transfer
  • Agreeing to participate in the trial
Exclusion Criteria
  • Cycles with oocyte donation, preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
  • Couples with severe male factor (sperm concentration <5 million/ml, motility < 10%), surgical sperm retrieval
  • Previous history of unexplained immature oocytes after IVF treatment
  • Uterine abnormalities

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Air Oxygen Concentration CAPA-IVM cultureAir Oxygen Concentration CAPA-IVM cultureHalf of the COCs will be cultured in the CAPA step and IVM step at 37 degrees Celsius in air oxygen concentration (20%) and 6% carbon dioxide.
Low Oxygen Concentration CAPA-IVM cultureLow Oxygen Concentration CAPA-IVM cultureHalf of the COCs will be cultured in the CAPA step at a low oxygen concentration (5%) and IVM step at an air oxygen concentration (20%); all two steps combine 6% carbon dioxide at 37 degrees Celsius.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maturation rateTwo day after oocyte retrieval

The oocyte maturation rate was usually defined by MII oocyte number divided by total COCs number

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of good quality Day-3 embryosThree days after intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection

Number of grade 1 and grade 2 day-3 embryos

Number of patients with no blastocystFive or six days after ICSI

Counting the number of patients with no blastocyst

Number of 2PN oocytes16-18 hours after ICSI

Number of zygotes with 2 pronuclei after ICSI

Small for gestational age rateAt birth

Large for gestational age was defined as a birth weight below the 10th percentile

Large for gestational age rateAt birth

Large for gestational age was defined as a birth weight above the 90th percentile

Number of patients with no matured oocyteTwo day after oocyte retrieval

Counting the number of patients with no matured oocyte

Fertilization rate16-18 hours after ICSI

Number of fertilized oocytes / number of oocytes inseminated

Abnormal fertilization rate16-18 hours after ICSI

The percentage of zygotes with 1,3, or 4 pronuclei after ICSI / number of oocytes inseminated

Number of patients with no day-3 embryoFive day after oocyte retrieval

Counting the number of patients with no embryo

Total number of oocytes retrievalOn the day of oocyte retrieval

Counting the number of oocytes retrieved

Number of GV oocytesTwo day after oocyte retrieval

Counting the number of GV oocytes

Number of day-3 embryosThree days after intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection

Counting the number of day-3 embryos at 64±2h after ICSI

Number of good quality blastocystsFive days after intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection

Number of grade 1 and grade 2 blastocysts

Implantation rateAt 3 weeks after embryo transfer after the completion of the embryo transfer

Implantation rate is explained as the number of gestational sacs per number of embryos transferred.

Ectopic pregnancy rate3 weeks after embryo transfer

A pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, diagnosed by ultrasound, surgical visualization or histopathology

Very low birth weight rateAt birth

Birth weight less than 1.500 g

Number of MII oocytesTwo day after oocyte retrieval

The oocyte maturation was usually defined by MII oocyte number

Number of frozen day-3 embryosThree days after ICSI

Counting the numer of frozen day-3 embryos

Number of blastocyst (day 5 or day 6 embryo)Five or six days after ICSI

Counting the number of blastocyst at 114±2h/140±2h after ICSI

Number of frozen blastocystsThree days after ICSI

Counting the numer of frozen blastocysts

Clinical pregnancy rate5 weeks after embryo transfer

Diagnosed by ultrasonographic visualization of one or more gestational sacs or definitive clinical signs of pregnancy at 6 weeks or more after the onset of last menstrual period. In addition to intra-uterine pregnancy, it includes a clinically documented ectopic pregnancy

Gestational age at birthAt birth

Calculated by gestational age of all live births

Number of patients with no oocyte retrievedOn the day of oocyte retrieval

Counting the number of patients with no oocyte retrieved

Quality of embryos transferred (Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3)On the day of embryo transfer

The quality of transferred embryo is classified according to Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine and ESHRE Special Interest Group of Embryology, 2011; D. Gardner, 1999; D. K. Gardner \& Schoolcrati, 1999

Positive pregnancy test rate11 days after the day of blastocyst transfer and 13 days after the day of day-3 embryo transfer

Positive pregnancy test defined as serum human chorionic gonadotropin level greater than 25 mIU/mL

Mode of deliveryAt birth

Vaginal delivery, C-section (elective, suspected fetal distress, non-progressive labor)

Low birth weight rateAt birth

Birth weight less than 2.500 g

Very high birth weight rateAt birth

Birth weight over than 4.500 g for women with diabetes, and a threshold of 5000 g for women without diabetes

Reason for NICU admissionAt birth

Respiratory distress, Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Necrotizing enterocolitis, Sepsis

Number of embryos transferredOn the day of embryo transfer

Total embryos transferred

Ongoing pregnancy rate10 weeks after embryo transfer

Ongoing pregnancy is defined as pregnancy with a detectable heart rate at 12 weeks' gestation or beyond.

Miscarriage <12 weeks rate (Early miscarriage)2-10 weeks after embryo transfer

Spontaneous loss of pregnancy up to 12 weeks of gestation is referred to as an early

Miscarriage <22 weeks rate (late miscarriage)At >10 to 20 weeks after the transfer

Spontaneous loss of pregnancy between 12 to 22 weeks is termed as late miscarriage

Multiple pregnancy rate4 weeks after embryo transfer

Defined as the presence of more than one gestational sac at early pregnancy ultrasound (6-9 weeks gestation)

Birth weightAt the time of delivery

in grams; of singletons and twins

High birth weight rateAt birth

Implies growth beyond an absolute birth weight, historically 4.000 g or 4.500 g, regardless of the gestational age

Gestational diabetes mellitus rateAt 24 to 28 weeks of gestation

Diagnosed according to the latest version of ADA guidelines. a 75-g OGTT, with plasma glucose measurement when patient is fasting and at 1 and 2 h, at 24-28 weeks of gestation in women not previously diagnosed with diabetes.

* Fasting: 92 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L)

* 1 h: 180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L)

* 2 h: 153 mg/dL (8.5 mmol/L)

Premature birth rateOn the day of delivery

Defined as delivery at \<24, \<28, \<32, \<37 completed weeks. A birth that takes place after 22 weeks and before 37 completed weeks of gestational age.

NICU admission rateAt birth

Counting number of babies admited to neonatal intensive care unit

Live birth rateAt 22 weeks of gestation

Live birth is defined as the complete expulsion or extraction from a woman of a product of fertilization, after 22 completed weeks of gestational age; which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as heartbeat, umbilical cord pulsation or definite movement of voluntary muscles, irrespective of whether the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached. A birth weight of 500 grams or more can be used if gestational age is unknown. Twins counted as one live birth.

Still birth rateAfter 20 completed weeks of gestational age

defined as the death of a fetus prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother after 20 completed weeks of gestational age. The death is determined by the fact that, after such separation, the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life, such as heartbeat, umbilical cord pulsation, or definite movement of voluntary muscles. It includes deaths occurring during labor

Neonatal mortality ratebetween eight and 28 days after delivery

Neonatal mortality defined as the death of a live-born baby within 28 days of birth. This can be divided into early neonatal mortality, if death occurs in the first seven days after birth, and late neonatal if death occurs between eight and 28 days after delivery

Multiple delivery rateAt 22 weeks' gestation

Defined as the complete expulsion or extraction from a woman of more than one fetus, after 22 completed weeks of gestational age, irrespective of whether it is a live birth or stillbirth

Major congenital abnormalities rateAt birth

Structural, functional, and genetic anomalies, that occur during pregnancy, and identified antenatally, at birth, or later in life, and require surgical repair of a defect, or are visually evident, or are life-threatening, or cause death. Any congenital anomaly will be included as followed definition of congenital abnormalities in Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies by Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, NCBDDD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020).

Hypertension in pregnancy rateAt 20 weeks of gestation or beyond

Comprising pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), pre-eclampsia (PET), eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome.

Antepartum haemorrhage rateAt birth

Defined as bleeding from or into the genital tract, occurring from 24 weeks of pregnancy and prior to the birth of the baby.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

My Duc Hospital

🇻🇳

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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