Natural Cycle vs Programmed Cycle Frozen Embryo Transfer

NCT ID: NCT05716139

Last Updated: 2025-04-03

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

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

172 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-07-15

Study Completion Date

2024-03-26

Brief Summary

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The goal of this\[ type of study: randomized controlled trial\]is to compare Preeclampsia following Natural vs. Artificial Cycle in patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer.

The main question\[s\] it aims to answer is

• Does NC-FET decreases the incidence of preeclampsia in patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer as compared to AC-FET ?

The main objective is to compare the proportion of preeclampsia in women with a viable pregnancy with natural cycle protocol to artificial cycle protocol when practicing frozen embryo transfer. Participants recruited will be divided into two ARM(1513 per arm). ARM 1 will undergo the Natural Cycle procedure of Embryo transfer, and ARM 2 will undergo the Artificial Cycle procedure of Embryo transfer. The primary outcome will be the proportion of preeclampsia. The duration of the study is around 2 year.

Detailed Description

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The Research question(PICO) addressed is Does NC-FET decreases the incidence of preeclampsia in patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer as compared to AC-FET . The hypothesis taken is NC-FET will decrease the incidence of preeclampsia compared to AC-FET. The sample size is taken as 3026 (1513 per arm). The Primary Objective is to compare the proportion of preeclampsia in women with a viable pregnancy with natural cycle protocol to artificial cycle protocol when practicing frozen embryo transfer. The study outcome of the proportion of preeclampsia after 20 weeks of gestation or 6 weeks post-delivery. There are two arms-Arm 1 Active Comparator: Natural Cycle and Arm 2 control: Artificial Cycle FET. The Randomization is done through Random Allocation as per computer generated sequence. The Blinding/masking is done Open labeled. The Study Duration is from Feb 2023 to Jan 2025. Participation Duration is 10 months.

Conditions

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Infertility Frozen Embryo Transfer Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Open labelled parallel group randomized Controlled Trial
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Parallel group open labelled masking

Study Groups

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Natural Cycle

In this,hCG trigger and Luteal Phase Support is monitored for the natural frozen embryo cycle procedure of IVF.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Natural Cycle

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The participant will be administered a S/C injection of 250mcg r-hCG to assist ovulation and timing of the embryo transfer, when the dominant follicle reaches ≥ 18mm and serum LH \< 20 IU/L, the administration of r-hCG will be in the evening, and the embryo transfer will be scheduled seven days later (window of ± two days). The participant will begin transvaginal progesterone gel (8 %) twice daily starting 36 hrs after the trigger until ten weeks of gestation.

Artificial Cycle

In this, endometrial preparation and Luteal Phase Support is monitored for the artificial frozen embryo cycle procedure of IVF.

Group Type OTHER

Artificial Cycle

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Estrogen priming with oral estradiol valerate 6mg/day (2mg every 8 hours) starting from cycle D1-D5 after a first TVU. TVU will be performed 10-15 days after beginning estradiol until ET ≥ 7mm, maximum until 21 days. Patients will begin progesterone injection 100mg/day until blastocyst transfer. Frozen embryo transfer will be performed on day 6 +/- 2 days of progesterone administration. After embryo transfer, a supplementation with transvaginal progesterone gel (8 %) twice daily starting from the day of embryo transfer until ten weeks of gestation. Patients will continue Estradiol 2 mg thrice daily until 6 weeks of gestation; then dose tapering will be done to 2 mg twice daily until 9 wks of gestation. From 9th wk the estrogen dose will be tapered further to 2 mg once daily for 10 days before stopping.

Interventions

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Natural Cycle

The participant will be administered a S/C injection of 250mcg r-hCG to assist ovulation and timing of the embryo transfer, when the dominant follicle reaches ≥ 18mm and serum LH \< 20 IU/L, the administration of r-hCG will be in the evening, and the embryo transfer will be scheduled seven days later (window of ± two days). The participant will begin transvaginal progesterone gel (8 %) twice daily starting 36 hrs after the trigger until ten weeks of gestation.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Artificial Cycle

Estrogen priming with oral estradiol valerate 6mg/day (2mg every 8 hours) starting from cycle D1-D5 after a first TVU. TVU will be performed 10-15 days after beginning estradiol until ET ≥ 7mm, maximum until 21 days. Patients will begin progesterone injection 100mg/day until blastocyst transfer. Frozen embryo transfer will be performed on day 6 +/- 2 days of progesterone administration. After embryo transfer, a supplementation with transvaginal progesterone gel (8 %) twice daily starting from the day of embryo transfer until ten weeks of gestation. Patients will continue Estradiol 2 mg thrice daily until 6 weeks of gestation; then dose tapering will be done to 2 mg twice daily until 9 wks of gestation. From 9th wk the estrogen dose will be tapered further to 2 mg once daily for 10 days before stopping.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Endometrial preparation with Hormone replacement therapy/ Natural cycle.
* Age 21-45 years following an autologous IVF cycle (with or without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy)
* BMI \> 18 and \< 30 kg/m2
* Endometrial thickness ≥ 7 mm after estrogen therapy or on the day of ovulation
* Blastocyst embryo transfer

Exclusion Criteria

* Uterine diseases (e.g. submucosal fibroids, polyps, previously diagnosed Müllerian abnormalities)
* Hydrosalpinx untreated.
* Recurrent pregnancy loss (≥ 3 previous miscarriages)
* Recurrent implantation failure (≥ 3 previously failed embryo transfers of good-quality blastocysts)
* Allergy to study medication
* Pregnancy or lactation at recruitment
* Contraindications for hormonal treatment
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Indira IVF Hospital Pvt Ltd

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Indira IVF Hospital Private Limited

Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Site Status

Countries

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India

References

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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Obstetric Practice; Committee on Genetics; U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Committee Opinion No 671: Perinatal Risks Associated With Assisted Reproductive Technology. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Sep;128(3):e61-8. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001643.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27548556 (View on PubMed)

Baksh S, Casper A, Christianson MS, Devine K, Doody KJ, Ehrhardt S, Hansen KR, Lathi RB, Timbo F, Usadi R, Vitek W, Shade DM, Segars J, Baker VL; NatPro Study Group. Natural vs. programmed cycles for frozen embryo transfer: study protocol for an investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Trials. 2021 Sep 27;22(1):660. doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05637-3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34579768 (View on PubMed)

Busnelli A, Schirripa I, Fedele F, Bulfoni A, Levi-Setti PE. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes following programmed compared to natural frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod. 2022 Jun 30;37(7):1619-1641. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deac073.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35553678 (View on PubMed)

Devroey P, Polyzos NP, Blockeel C. An OHSS-Free Clinic by segmentation of IVF treatment. Hum Reprod. 2011 Oct;26(10):2593-7. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der251. Epub 2011 Aug 9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21828116 (View on PubMed)

Ginstrom Ernstad E, Wennerholm UB, Khatibi A, Petzold M, Bergh C. Neonatal and maternal outcome after frozen embryo transfer: Increased risks in programmed cycles. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Aug;221(2):126.e1-126.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.03.010. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30910545 (View on PubMed)

Kawwass JF, Badell ML. Maternal and Fetal Risk Associated With Assisted Reproductive Technology. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Sep;132(3):763-772. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002786.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30095760 (View on PubMed)

Lee JC, Badell ML, Kawwass JF. The impact of endometrial preparation for frozen embryo transfer on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022 Feb 28;20(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12958-021-00869-z.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35227270 (View on PubMed)

Luke B. Pregnancy and birth outcomes in couples with infertility with and without assisted reproductive technology: with an emphasis on US population-based studies. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Sep;217(3):270-281. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.03.012. Epub 2017 Mar 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28322775 (View on PubMed)

Malik A, Jee B, Gupta SK. Preeclampsia: Disease biology and burden, its management strategies with reference to India. Pregnancy Hypertens. 2019 Jan;15:23-31. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.10.011. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30825923 (View on PubMed)

Rienzi L, Gracia C, Maggiulli R, LaBarbera AR, Kaser DJ, Ubaldi FM, Vanderpoel S, Racowsky C. Oocyte, embryo and blastocyst cryopreservation in ART: systematic review and meta-analysis comparing slow-freezing versus vitrification to produce evidence for the development of global guidance. Hum Reprod Update. 2017 Mar 1;23(2):139-155. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmw038.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27827818 (View on PubMed)

von Versen-Hoynck F, Schaub AM, Chi YY, Chiu KH, Liu J, Lingis M, Stan Williams R, Rhoton-Vlasak A, Nichols WW, Fleischmann RR, Zhang W, Winn VD, Segal MS, Conrad KP, Baker VL. Increased Preeclampsia Risk and Reduced Aortic Compliance With In Vitro Fertilization Cycles in the Absence of a Corpus Luteum. Hypertension. 2019 Mar;73(3):640-649. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.12043.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30636552 (View on PubMed)

Chen JZ, Sheehan PM, Brennecke SP, Keogh RJ. Vessel remodelling, pregnancy hormones and extravillous trophoblast function. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2012 Feb 26;349(2):138-44. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.10.014. Epub 2011 Oct 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22051447 (View on PubMed)

Shi Y, Sun Y, Hao C, Zhang H, Wei D, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Deng X, Qi X, Li H, Ma X, Ren H, Wang Y, Zhang D, Wang B, Liu F, Wu Q, Wang Z, Bai H, Li Y, Zhou Y, Sun M, Liu H, Li J, Zhang L, Chen X, Zhang S, Sun X, Legro RS, Chen ZJ. Transfer of Fresh versus Frozen Embryos in Ovulatory Women. N Engl J Med. 2018 Jan 11;378(2):126-136. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1705334.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29320646 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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IIHPL-UDR/RCT/013_2022

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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