Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRHa) Versus Estrogen and Progesterone for Luteal Support in High Responders

NCT ID: NCT04797338

Last Updated: 2021-04-01

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

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

PHASE4

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2017-12-29

Study Completion Date

2021-09-30

Brief Summary

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Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone agonist (GnRHa) triggering is used as an alternative to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in GnRH antagonist protocol to eliminate the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, its main disadvantage is a significantly lower pregnancy rate, hypothesized to result from a process called "luteolysis" (demise of the corpora lutea). In order to preserve a high pregnancy rates, several luteal support regimens were investigated, including an intensive estrogen and progesterone supplementation and a daily GnRHa treatment. However, no study, so far, compared the efficacy of these two regimens. Our aim is to compare the efficacy of GnRHa versus estrogen and progesterone supplementation for luteal phase support in high responders following GnRHa triggering.

Detailed Description

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The administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for final oocyte maturation is an accepted practice in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. However, in high-responder patients, it increases the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) due to its longer half-life compared to the naturally secreted Luteinizing Hormone (LH) as well as increased synthesis and secretion of vasoactive substances. Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) triggering, as an alternative to hCG triggering for final oocyte maturation in antagonist protocols, enables substantial decrease of this complication in high responders. However, the main disadvantage of using GnRHa for induction of oocyte maturation is significantly lower pregnancy rates compared with hCG triggering. The primary hypothesis is luteal insufficiency due to increased luteolysis. In order to preserve a high pregnancy rates after GnRHa triggering, several approaches for luteal-phase rescue have been investigated, including low-dose hCG boluses, intensive P and E2 supplementation, and a ''freeze-all'' approach with frozen-thawed embryo transfers at subsequent cycles. Several previous case reports have demonstrated that inadvertent administration of GnRH agonists during the luteal phase doesn't harm pregnancies achieved through IVF and moreover might even support implantation.

The mechanism by which GnRH agonist improve implantation rates is unknown. Several hypotheses were suggested including promoting corpus luteum maintenance by secretion of LH from pituitary gonadotropin cells, a direct effect on the endometrium and the embryo through GnRH receptors and regulatory effect on hCG secretion by the placenta at the preimplantation phase. In 2004, Tesarik et al, conducted a prospective randomized trial including 276 oocyte recipients. Oocytes from each individual donor were divided to two recipients, one of whom received a single dose of a GnRH agonist (0.1 mg triptorelin) 3 days after embryo transfer and the other received placebo at the same time. Of note, the endometrium was prepared by oral estradiol valerate treatment following by vaginal progesterone (Utrogestan) as widely accepted. The results demonstrated significantly higher implantation and live birth rate in the group treated with GnRH agonist compared to the control group with significantly higher twin pregnancy rates while no difference in miscarriage and abortion rates was observed between the two study groups. The authors concluded that GnRH agonist administration at the time of implantation has a positive effect on embryo developmental potential. It's important to note that this study evaluated the effect of a single dose of GnRH agonist in addition to a conventional luteal support in a population of oocyte recipients that are not at risk for OHSS and tend to have higher implantation and pregnancy rates also without GnRH agonist supplementation. A study by Pirard et al. was the first to evaluate the administration of GnRH agonist alone for luteal support compared to compared to the standard treatment with vaginal progesterone. The study group included 35 patients who were treated with antagonist protocol. Intranasal GnRH agonist (Buserilin) was given for final oocyte maturation and luteal support was achieved by administration of intranasal GnRH agonist for up to 16 days after the oocytes retrieval. The control group included 18 women treated with a long GnRH protocol for pituitary suppression. Final oocytes maturation was achieved by administration of 10000 units of hCG and vaginal progesterone was used for luteal support. Implantation and pregnancy rates were higher among the study group compared to the control group however, no statistical significance was achieved. Progesterone levels on day 5 were significantly lower while LH levels were significantly higher during all the luteal phase in the study group compared to the control group. The authors concluded that intranasal administration of Buserelin is as effective as standard progesterone treatment for providing luteal phase support in IVF/ICSI antagonist protocols. To our knowledge, the only study, so far that evaluated the efficacy of GnRH agonist treatment for luteal support in high responder patients with increased risk for OHSS was conducted by Bar-Hava et al. It included 46 women at risk for OHSS that were treated with GnRH antagonist protocol for pituitary suppression. The final oocyte maturation was achieved by GnRH agonist (Triptorelin) and a daily intranasal GnRH agonist (Nafarelin 200 micrograms twice daily) was administered for luteal support for two weeks following the oocytes retrieval. 52% clinical pregnancy rates were obtained while no cases od OHSS or other substantial adverse effects were observed.

The main disadvantage of the study is the lack of a comparison to a control group. To the best of our knowledge, no study so far compared administration of GnRH agonist at the same protocol described by Bar-Hava et al. to intensive estrogen and progesterone treatment for luteal support among women treated with GnRH antagonist protocol and GnRH agonist triggering for final oocytes maturation. A randomized controlled trial in an infertility population at increased risk for OHSS, will enable us to evaluate the efficacy of GnRH agonist treatment compared to standard treatment for luteal support and to determine the best treatment approach in the high responder population undergoing a fresh embryo transfer new approach undergoing a fresh embryo transfer following GnRHa triggering.

The aim of the current study isto compare the efficacy of GnRH agonist versus estrogen and progesterone supplementation for luteal support in high responders undergoing fresh embryo transfer following GnRHa triggering.

Conditions

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Pregnancy Early Miscarriage Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

A randomization list will be generated by a computer by 1:1 ratio. Sealed envelopes containing treatment allocation instructions will be attached to the consent forms.

At the day of triggering for final oocyte maturation, patients will sign an informed consent and will be allocated to one of the study arms according to the instructions in the envelop attached to the consent form.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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GnRHa treatment based luteal support

Patients will initiate intranasal treatment with Nafarelin inhaler: 200 micrograms twice daily (a total of 400 micrograms/d; Synarel, Pfizer) on the evening after oocyte retrieval which will be continued up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum hCG results, the treatment will be stopped.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Synarel, 0.2 Mg/Inh Nasal Spray

Intervention Type DRUG

Intranasal treatment with Nafarelin inhaler: 200 micrograms twice daily (a total of 400 micrograms/d; Synarel, Pfizer) on the evening after oocyte retrieval, which will be continued up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be stopped.

Estrogen and progesterone supplementation

Patients will start treatment with a combination of oral estrogen (Estrofem or Progynova 4 mg twice daily), vaginal progesterone (vaginal Utrogestan 200mg or Endometrin 100 mg three times daily) and intramuscular injection of progesterone retard 250 mg once every five days. The treatment will start at the day of the oocyte retrieval up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum hCG results, the treatment will be continued up to 9+0 weeks of pregnancy.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Estrofem

Intervention Type DRUG

A combination of oral estrogen (Estrofem or Progynova 4 mg twice daily), vaginal progesterone (vaginal Utrogestan 200mg or Endometrin 100 mg three times daily) and intramuscular injection of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate 250 mg once every five days. The treatment will start at the day of the oocyte retrieval up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be continued up to 9+0 weeks of pregnancy.

Utrogestan

Intervention Type DRUG

A combination of oral estrogen (Estrofem or Progynova 4 mg twice daily), vaginal progesterone (vaginal Utrogestan 200mg or Endometrin 100 mg three times daily) and intramuscular injection of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate 250 mg once every five days. The treatment will start at the day of the oocyte retrieval up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be continued up to 9+0 weeks of pregnancy.

Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate

Intervention Type DRUG

A combination of oral estrogen (Estrofem or Progynova 4 mg twice daily), vaginal progesterone (vaginal Utrogestan 200mg or Endometrin 100 mg three times daily) and intramuscular injection of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate 250 mg once every five days. The treatment will start at the day of the oocyte retrieval up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be continued up to 9+0 weeks of pregnancy.

Interventions

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Synarel, 0.2 Mg/Inh Nasal Spray

Intranasal treatment with Nafarelin inhaler: 200 micrograms twice daily (a total of 400 micrograms/d; Synarel, Pfizer) on the evening after oocyte retrieval, which will be continued up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be stopped.

Intervention Type DRUG

Estrofem

A combination of oral estrogen (Estrofem or Progynova 4 mg twice daily), vaginal progesterone (vaginal Utrogestan 200mg or Endometrin 100 mg three times daily) and intramuscular injection of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate 250 mg once every five days. The treatment will start at the day of the oocyte retrieval up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be continued up to 9+0 weeks of pregnancy.

Intervention Type DRUG

Utrogestan

A combination of oral estrogen (Estrofem or Progynova 4 mg twice daily), vaginal progesterone (vaginal Utrogestan 200mg or Endometrin 100 mg three times daily) and intramuscular injection of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate 250 mg once every five days. The treatment will start at the day of the oocyte retrieval up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be continued up to 9+0 weeks of pregnancy.

Intervention Type DRUG

Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate

A combination of oral estrogen (Estrofem or Progynova 4 mg twice daily), vaginal progesterone (vaginal Utrogestan 200mg or Endometrin 100 mg three times daily) and intramuscular injection of Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate 250 mg once every five days. The treatment will start at the day of the oocyte retrieval up to the bHCG blood test, 12 days post embryo transfer. In cases with positive serum bHCG results, the treatment will be continued up to 9+0 weeks of pregnancy.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Nafarelin Progynova Endometrin Proluton Depot

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* High responder patients, defined as either reaching a serum estradiol levels of ≥ 3500 pg/ml on the day of trigger or having ≥ 15 oocytes retrieved.
* Increased risk for OHSS (PCOS, previous history of OHSS, high antral follicle count (AFC) etc.).

Exclusion Criteria

* Repeated implantation failure (3 or more previous failed embryo transfer cycles while transferring good quality embryos).
* Oocyte donation, fertility preservation or Freeze all (freezing all the embryos) cycles.
* Moderate to severe endometriosis
* An evidence of hydrosalpinx
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Assaf Harofeh MC

principal investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Michal Youngster, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center

Locations

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Shamir Medical center

Be’er Ya‘aqov, , Israel

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Israel

Central Contacts

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Michal Youngster, MD

Role: CONTACT

972-506430111

Lilach Marom Haham, MD

Role: CONTACT

4167160958

Facility Contacts

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Michal youngster, MD

Role: primary

972-506430111

Ariel Hourvitz, MD

Role: backup

972-526666063

References

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Gomez R, Soares SR, Busso C, Garcia-Velasco JA, Simon C, Pellicer A. Physiology and pathology of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Semin Reprod Med. 2010 Nov;28(6):448-57. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1265670. Epub 2010 Nov 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21082502 (View on PubMed)

Damewood MD, Shen W, Zacur HA, Schlaff WD, Rock JA, Wallach EE. Disappearance of exogenously administered human chorionic gonadotropin. Fertil Steril. 1989 Sep;52(3):398-400. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60906-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2776893 (View on PubMed)

Leth-Moller K, Hammer Jagd S, Humaidan P. The Luteal Phase after GnRHa Trigger-Understanding An Enigma. Int J Fertil Steril. 2014 Oct;8(3):227-34. Epub 2014 Nov 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25379149 (View on PubMed)

Youssef MA, Van der Veen F, Al-Inany HG, Mochtar MH, Griesinger G, Nagi Mohesen M, Aboulfoutouh I, van Wely M. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist versus HCG for oocyte triggering in antagonist-assisted reproductive technology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Oct 31;2014(10):CD008046. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008046.pub4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25358904 (View on PubMed)

Atkinson P, Koch J, Ledger WL. GnRH agonist trigger and a freeze-all strategy to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a retrospective study of OHSS risk and pregnancy rates. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2014 Dec;54(6):581-5. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12277.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25476811 (View on PubMed)

van der Linden M, Buckingham K, Farquhar C, Kremer JA, Metwally M. Luteal phase support for assisted reproduction cycles. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jul 7;2015(7):CD009154. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009154.pub3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26148507 (View on PubMed)

Golan A, Ron-el R, Herman A, Weinraub Z, Soffer Y, Caspi E. Fetal outcome following inadvertant administration of long-acting DTRP6 GnRH microcapsules during pregnancy: a case report. Hum Reprod. 1990 Jan;5(1):123-4. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137031.

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Isherwood PJ, Ibrahim ZH, Matson PL, Morroll DR, Burslem RW, Lieberman BA. Endocrine changes in women conceiving during treatment with an LHRH agonist. Hum Reprod. 1990 May;5(4):409-12. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137112.

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Elefant E, Biour B, Blumberg-Tick J, Roux C, Thomas F. Administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist during pregnancy: follow-up of 28 pregnancies exposed to triptoreline. Fertil Steril. 1995 May;63(5):1111-3. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)57557-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 7720926 (View on PubMed)

Balasch J, Martinez F, Jove I, Cabre L, Coroleu B, Barri PN, Vanrell JA. Inadvertent gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) administration in the luteal phase may improve fecundity in in-vitro fertilization patients. Hum Reprod. 1993 Jul;8(7):1148-51. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138210.

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Wilshire GB, Emmi AM, Gagliardi CC, Weiss G. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration in early human pregnancy is associated with normal outcomes. Fertil Steril. 1993 Dec;60(6):980-3. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56396-1.

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Weissman A, Shoham Z. Favourable pregnancy outcome after administration of a long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist in the mid-luteal phase. Hum Reprod. 1993 Mar;8(3):496-7. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138079.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Gartner B, Moreno C, Marinaro A, Remohi J, Simon C, Pellicer A. Accidental exposure to daily long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue administration and pregnancy in an in-vitro fertilization cycle. Hum Reprod. 1997 Nov;12(11):2557-9. doi: 10.1093/humrep/12.11.2557.

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Tesarik J, Hazout A, Mendoza C. Enhancement of embryo developmental potential by a single administration of GnRH agonist at the time of implantation. Hum Reprod. 2004 May;19(5):1176-80. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deh235. Epub 2004 Apr 7.

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Tesarik J, Hazout A, Mendoza-Tesarik R, Mendoza N, Mendoza C. Beneficial effect of luteal-phase GnRH agonist administration on embryo implantation after ICSI in both GnRH agonist- and antagonist-treated ovarian stimulation cycles. Hum Reprod. 2006 Oct;21(10):2572-9. doi: 10.1093/humrep/del173. Epub 2006 Aug 22.

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Other Identifiers

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0245-17-ASF

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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