MedPath

Live Birth After Fresh Embryo Transfer Vs Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Not Applicable
Conditions
Infertility
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Interventions
Other: fresh embryo transfer
Other: frozen-thawed embryo transfer
Registration Number
NCT01841528
Lead Sponsor
Zi-jiang Chen
Brief Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of childbearing age. However, the optimal infertility treatment for PCOS patients is still a matter of controversy. Despite producing more follicles and more oocytes than other women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during an IVF cycle, women with PCOS have comparable or lower pregnancy rates. Additionally women with PCOS patients undergoing IVF have a higher risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which may be aggravated by pregnancy after an embryo transfer in a fresh cycle. Further women with PCOS are thought to have higher rates of later pregnancy complications including spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, and preterm labor that may be related to impaired implantation in the superovulated endometrium. We propose a randomized clinical trial of elective embryo cryopreservation followed by a programmed cycle of endometrial preparation and frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared to fresh embryo transfer in women with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Detailed Description

This will be a multi-center, prospective, randomized (1:1 ratio)clinical trial of frozen-thawed embryo transfer vs. fresh embryo transfer after a uniform gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in infertile PCOS patients receiving IVF therapy. Qualified 1180 patients are randomized into either of two groups: group A will undergo fresh embryo transfer (590 cases), Group B will undergo elective cryopreservation of all embryos followed by transfer of thawed embryos to a programmed endometrium (590 cases). All of the participants will receive recombinant follicule stimulating hormone (rFSH)/GnRH antagonist protocol for ovarian stimulation and standardized luteal phase support.

The target population will be infertile PCOS patients aged between 20 and 35 years, diagnosed by the Chinese PCOS Criteria(i.e. menstrual disorders PLUS either one of the remaining two criteria, hyperandrogenism or polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, with exclusion of secondary causes of hyperandrogenism and ovulation dysfunction). And subjects will be those who are undergoing their first IVF or intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle without other known factors interfere reproductive or metabolic functions.

The randomization will take place at the oocyte pick-up day by an on-line randomization system.

The pregnancy test results, pregnancy complications, congenital anomalies neonatal complications will be followed up by checking medical records and telephone calls.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
1180
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women diagnosed as PCOS according to Chinese PCOS diagnosis criteria;

  • Women who have ≥1 years history of infertility;

  • Women aged ≥20 and <35 years old;

  • Women with body weight ≥40kg;

  • Women who have at least one of the following indications for IVF or ICSI:

    1. Ovulation dysfunction and failed to become pregnant from ovulation induction treatment;
    2. Tubal factors: unilateral or bilateral tubal obstruction, adhesion, unilateral or bilateral Salpingectomy or tubal ligation;
    3. Male factors: oligoasthenozoospermia, obstructive azoospermia;
  • Women who are undergoing their first cycle of IVF or ICSI;

  • Women who retrieved oocytes number > 3;

  • Women who are capable of giving informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria
  • Women who underwent unilateral ovariectomy;
  • Women diagnosed as uterus abnormality: malformed uterus (uterus unicorns, septate uterus, duplex uterus, uterus bicomis), adenomyosis, submucous myoma, intrauterine adhesion;
  • Women or their partner with abnormal chromosome karyotype including chromosome polymorphism;
  • Women who have experienced recurrent spontaneous abortion (including biochemical pregnancy abortion) more than 2 times;
  • Women with medical condition that represent contraindication to assisted reproductive technology and/or pregnancy;
  • Women who has developed severe OHSS before oocyte pick-up day;
  • Women with retrieved oocytes number ≤3;
  • Women who are unable to comply with the study procedures.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
fresh embryo transfer groupfresh embryo transferrFSH/GnRH antagonist will be administered for ovarian stimulation. Two fresh embryos will be transferred at Day 3. Luteal phase support will last 2 weeks for all subjects in this group. Two weeks after embryo transfer, serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) will be measured to determine pregnant or not. If biochemical pregnancy is achieved, luteal phase support will be continued to 10 weeks gestation. Pregnancy complications and final outcome will be followed up till 6 weeks after delivery.
frozen-thawed embryo transfer groupfrozen-thawed embryo transferrFSH/GnRH antagonist will be administered for ovarian stimulation. All embryos will be vitrified in fresh cycle, and at least 2 embryos should be frozen at Day 3. Two months later, two thawed Day 3 embryos will be transferred with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prepared endometrium. Luteal phase support will last 2 weeks for all subjects in this group. Two weeks after embryo transfer, serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) will be measured to determine pregnant or not. If biochemical pregnancy is achieved, luteal phase support will be continued to 10 weeks gestation. Pregnancy complications and final outcome will be followed up till 6 weeks after delivery.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
live birth rate10 months for group A, 12 months for group B

This will be based on the outcome of either the fresh embryo transfer after ovarian stimulation (Group A) or the outcome of the first frozen embryo transfer cycle (Group B) as will all other secondary outcomes.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) incidence2 months in maximum estimated
clinical pregnancy rate35 days after embryo transfer

This will be based on the visualization of a intrauterine gestational sac by ultrasound.

Pregnancy Loss rate28 weeks gestation in maximum

Loss of pregnancy will be defined by any positive pregnancy test that does not result in a live birth and will be tracked.

ectopic pregnancy rate7~8 weeks gestation
singleton live birth rate10 months for group A, 12 months for group B
neonatal complication ratewithin one month after labor

We will collect complications that occur in the neonate including admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), hospitalization, etc.

pregnancy complication rate10 months for group A, 12 months for group B

Complications of pregnancy including gestational hypertension, diabetes, preterm labor, disorders of placentation will be collected in all patients with ongoing clinical pregnancies.

Congenital Anomalies rate10 months for group A, 12 months for group B

We will collect all recognized fetal and infant anomalies that occur within the trial.

Trial Locations

Locations (14)

The First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University

🇨🇳

Lanzhou, Gansu, China

Yuhuangding Hospital in Yantai

🇨🇳

Yantai, Shandong, China

Reproductive Medicine Center in Shenyang City

🇨🇳

Shenyang, Liaoning, China

The sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University

🇨🇳

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University

🇨🇳

Hefei, Anhui, China

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University

🇨🇳

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Jiangsu Province Hospital

🇨🇳

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Reproductive medical hospital affiliated to Shandong University

🇨🇳

Jinan, Shandong, China

Shanxi Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital

🇨🇳

Xi'an, Shanxi, China

Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital

🇨🇳

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital

🇨🇳

Nanchang, Jiangxi, China

Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital

🇨🇳

Nanning, Guangxi, China

Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University

🇨🇳

Wuhan, Hubei, China

Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine

🇨🇳

Shanghai, Shanghai, China

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath