Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A Comparison Between Standard Long Protocol Versus an Antagonist Protocol Starting on Day 1

NCT ID: NCT00883766

Last Updated: 2012-07-20

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

172 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2009-04-30

Study Completion Date

2012-06-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The aim of this study is to compare two different IVF-stimulation protocols in patients affected by PCOS: the use of a Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) - antagonist starting on day 1 of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) versus a standard long agonist protocol; in order to assess whether it affects the number and quality of Metaphase II (MII) oocytes while reducing the risk of hyperstimulation. Since PCOS patients are also likely to be insulin resistant we also aim to evaluate how metformin affects tha IVF stimulation outcome.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Hejinen et al (1) recently conducted a meta-analysis to compare outcomes of conventional IVF in women presenting with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS patients. They compared nine RCTs reporting data on 458 PCOS patients (793 cycles) and 694 matched controls (1116 cycles) and concluded that in PCOS there is an increased cancellation rate, but more oocytes retrieved per pick-up and a lower fertilization rate. Overall, PCOS and control patients achieved similar pregnancy and live birth rates per cycle. The incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after oocyte retrieval was rarely reported.

Our results are in accordance with this meta-analysis. Therefore, if the pregnancy and abortion rates in PCOS and controls do not differ, the main problem when dealing with PCOS in IVF is OHSS. This condition can be approached by using an antagonist instead of an agonist, by changing the kind of ovulation trigger and by co-treating patients with metformin.

* One of the currently debatable issues regarding the use of GnRH antagonists refers to the timing of GnRH antagonist initiation. A fixed protocol starting antagonist arbitrarily on Day 6 of stimulation has been used in all introductory comparative trials employing a daily antagonist administration (2). Following these trials, a flexible antagonist initiation by a follicle of 14-15 mm has been evaluated. Currently, initiation of antagonist in the early follicular phase in PCOS patients has been performed by Lainas and coll. (3) who treated patients with PCOS either with a long GnRH agonist scheme or a fixed day-1 GnRH antagonist protocol and concluded that initiation of GnRH antagonist concomitantly with recombinant FSH on day 1 is associated with an earlier follicular growth and a different hormonal environment during the follicular phase when compared with the long agonist protocol. This may lead to a reduction in the incidence of OHSS.
* Over the past 15 years, it has become increasingly recognized that insulin resistance is central to the pathogenesis of the PCOS (4). Metformin, a biguanide insulin-lowering agent, has been extensively investigated in the management of PCOS. Two recent systematic reviews (5, 6) demonstrated that metformin improves reproductive function of some women with PCOS. Metformin also appeared to improve the outcomes of ovulation induction therapies when combined with clomiphene and gonadotrophin. Tang et al. recently studied PCOS overweight patients undergoing IVF to whom they administered 850 mg bid or placebo 28 days prior to the stimulation (7). They concluded that short-term co-treatment with metformin for patients with PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles does not improve the response to stimulation but significantly improves the pregnancy outcome and reduces the risk of OHSS.

The aim of this study is to verify if using an antagonist the number and quality of MII oocytes is equal compared to a standard long agonist protocol while reducing the risk of hyperstimulation.

Outcome measures:

Primary endpoints:

* Oocytes MII Secondary endpoints
* Fertilization rates
* Pregnancy rates
* Miscarriage rates
* Incidence of OHSS

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Vitro Fertilization

Keywords

Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome GnRH Antagonist Long Agonist Protocol OHSS

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Long agonist protocol

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF with a long agonist protocol

Intervention Type OTHER

Day 1 of 1st menstruation: OC for 18-21 days (Microdiol ®) + Metformin (Dianben ®) 850 x 2/day if: BMI\>30, HOMA \>3.8, G/I ratio \<4.5

Day 18-24 of cycle: Leuprorelin (Procrin ®) 0.1 s.c. for 14-21 days

Day 1 of 2nd menstruation (=Day 1 COH cycle): Hormonal profile (FSH, LH, E2, Pg, T, SHBG), Ultrasonography to exclude cyst \>10 mm

Day 2of COH cycle: rFSH (Gonal F ®) 150 IU/day for 4 days; Leuprorelin (Procrin ®) 0.1 s.c. (and following days)

Day 7 of COH (and following): Measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg + Ultrasound

Day before HCG: stop rFSH

Day HCG: measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg, administer 250 mcg Choriogonadotropin-alfa ( Ovitrelle®)

Day of pick-up: Follicular fluid from 1st follicle to be centrifuged and stored at -20°C

Day 7 after pick-up: ultrasound, patient evaluation.

Day 14 after pick-up: HCG in blood

Day 28 after pick-up: Ultrasound to visualize heart beat if pregnancy test positive

(OC= oral contraceptive; COH= Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation)

Antagonist protocol

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF with an antagonist protocol

Intervention Type OTHER

Day 1 of pre COH-cycle: OC for 18-21 days (Microdiol ®) + Metformin (Dianben ®) 850 x 2/day if: BMI\>30, HOMA \>3.8, G/I ratio \<4.5

Day 3 of free-pill interval: Hormonal profile (FSH, LH, E2, Pg, T, SHBG), Ultrasonography to exclude cyst \>10 mm

Day 5 of free-pill interval (=Day 1 COH cycle): Cetrorelix acetate (Cetrotide®) 0.25 mg s.c. + rFSH (Gonal F ®) 150 IU/day (and following days)

Day 3-4-10 of COH cycle: measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg + ECO

Day before HCG: stop rFSH + cetrorelix

Day HCG: measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg, administer 250 mcg Choriogonadotropin-alfa ( Ovitrelle®)

Day of pick-up: Follicular fluid from 1st follicle to be centrifuged and stored at -20°C

Day 7 after pick-up: ultrasound, patient evaluation.

Day 14 after pick-up: HCG in blood

Day 28 after pick-up: Ultrasound to visualize heart beat if pregnancy test positive (OC= oral contraceptive; COH= Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation)

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF with a long agonist protocol

Day 1 of 1st menstruation: OC for 18-21 days (Microdiol ®) + Metformin (Dianben ®) 850 x 2/day if: BMI\>30, HOMA \>3.8, G/I ratio \<4.5

Day 18-24 of cycle: Leuprorelin (Procrin ®) 0.1 s.c. for 14-21 days

Day 1 of 2nd menstruation (=Day 1 COH cycle): Hormonal profile (FSH, LH, E2, Pg, T, SHBG), Ultrasonography to exclude cyst \>10 mm

Day 2of COH cycle: rFSH (Gonal F ®) 150 IU/day for 4 days; Leuprorelin (Procrin ®) 0.1 s.c. (and following days)

Day 7 of COH (and following): Measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg + Ultrasound

Day before HCG: stop rFSH

Day HCG: measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg, administer 250 mcg Choriogonadotropin-alfa ( Ovitrelle®)

Day of pick-up: Follicular fluid from 1st follicle to be centrifuged and stored at -20°C

Day 7 after pick-up: ultrasound, patient evaluation.

Day 14 after pick-up: HCG in blood

Day 28 after pick-up: Ultrasound to visualize heart beat if pregnancy test positive

(OC= oral contraceptive; COH= Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation)

Intervention Type OTHER

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF with an antagonist protocol

Day 1 of pre COH-cycle: OC for 18-21 days (Microdiol ®) + Metformin (Dianben ®) 850 x 2/day if: BMI\>30, HOMA \>3.8, G/I ratio \<4.5

Day 3 of free-pill interval: Hormonal profile (FSH, LH, E2, Pg, T, SHBG), Ultrasonography to exclude cyst \>10 mm

Day 5 of free-pill interval (=Day 1 COH cycle): Cetrorelix acetate (Cetrotide®) 0.25 mg s.c. + rFSH (Gonal F ®) 150 IU/day (and following days)

Day 3-4-10 of COH cycle: measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg + ECO

Day before HCG: stop rFSH + cetrorelix

Day HCG: measure FSH, LH, E2, Pg, administer 250 mcg Choriogonadotropin-alfa ( Ovitrelle®)

Day of pick-up: Follicular fluid from 1st follicle to be centrifuged and stored at -20°C

Day 7 after pick-up: ultrasound, patient evaluation.

Day 14 after pick-up: HCG in blood

Day 28 after pick-up: Ultrasound to visualize heart beat if pregnancy test positive (OC= oral contraceptive; COH= Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation)

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* PCOS patients according to the Rotterdam consensus criteria
* Presence of both ovaries
* Absence of endometriomas detected at ultrasound
* FSH \< 10 IU/L on day 3 of the cycle
* E2 \< 80 pg/mL, and Pg \< 1.6 ng/mL at initiation of stimulation

Exclusion Criteria

* Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
* Cushing's syndrome
* Androgen-producing tumours
* Hyperprolactinaemia and thyroid dysfunction
* Age \> 38 years
* Serum FSH levels \> 10 mIU/ml
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

37 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Fundacion Dexeus

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Departamento de Obstetricia, Ginecologia y Reproducción

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Fulvia Mancini, M.D. PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Obstetric, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Institut Universitari Dexeus

Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Spain

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Heijnen EM, Eijkemans MJ, Hughes EG, Laven JS, Macklon NS, Fauser BC. A meta-analysis of outcomes of conventional IVF in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod Update. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):13-21. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmi036. Epub 2005 Aug 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16123051 (View on PubMed)

Al-Inany H, Aboulghar M. GnRH antagonist in assisted reproduction: a Cochrane review. Hum Reprod. 2002 Apr;17(4):874-85. doi: 10.1093/humrep/17.4.874.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11925376 (View on PubMed)

Lainas TG, Petsas GK, Zorzovilis IZ, Iliadis GS, Lainas GT, Cazlaris HE, Kolibianakis EM. Initiation of GnRH antagonist on Day 1 of stimulation as compared to the long agonist protocol in PCOS patients. A randomized controlled trial: effect on hormonal levels and follicular development. Hum Reprod. 2007 Jun;22(6):1540-6. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dem033. Epub 2007 Mar 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17347165 (View on PubMed)

Tsilchorozidou T, Overton C, Conway GS. The pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2004 Jan;60(1):1-17. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2003.01842.x. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14678281 (View on PubMed)

Costello MF, Eden JA. A systematic review of the reproductive system effects of metformin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2003 Jan;79(1):1-13. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(02)04554-5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12524053 (View on PubMed)

Moll E, van der Veen F, van Wely M. The role of metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. Hum Reprod Update. 2007 Nov-Dec;13(6):527-37. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmm026. Epub 2007 Sep 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17767003 (View on PubMed)

Tang T, Glanville J, Orsi N, Barth JH, Balen AH. The use of metformin for women with PCOS undergoing IVF treatment. Hum Reprod. 2006 Jun;21(6):1416-25. doi: 10.1093/humrep/del025. Epub 2006 Feb 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16501038 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

DEX002

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id