Androgen Effects on the Reproductive Neuroendocrine Axis

NCT ID: NCT06450405

Last Updated: 2025-07-22

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

PHASE4

Total Enrollment

2 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-02-26

Study Completion Date

2025-03-03

Brief Summary

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This research study investigates whether male-level exogenous androgens inhibit the reproductive neuroendocrine axis in otherwise healthy (non-PCOS) females.

Detailed Description

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Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is the mainstay of gender affirming care for transgender men (TGM) who have male gender identity after female sex assignment at birth. TGM receiving TRT over time exhibit irregular menstrual bleeding, however, the mechanism of menstrual disruption is unknown. Therefore, the investigators propose to evaluate the effect of chronic testosterone (T) exposure on ovarian hormones and pituitary gonadotropin release that determines menstrual cyclicity. The investigators will conduct a detailed study of blood reproductive hormone secretion in TGM before and during TRT as well as in untreated cisgender female (CGF) control subjects who report female gender identity congruent with female sex assignment at birth. The investigators will also perform periodic clinical and ultrasonographic evaluations.

Conditions

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Transgenderism Reproductive Issues

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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TGM initiating TRT

Transgender men/non-binary/non-gender-conforming initiating testosterone replacement therapy

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Testosterone Cypionate 50 MG/ML Injectable Solution

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants in the initiating group will receive weekly doses of testosterone for gender-affirming care.

CGF control group

Cisgender females serving as a control group

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Testosterone Cypionate 50 MG/ML Injectable Solution

Participants in the initiating group will receive weekly doses of testosterone for gender-affirming care.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
* Aged 18-35
* Plan to initiate testosterone therapy
* History of regular menstrual cycles (every 24-35 days) at baseline, before beginning TRT


* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
* Aged 18-35
* Having regular menstrual cycles (every 24-35 days)

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnant
* Incarcerated
* Known cognitive impairment or institutionalized
* Hemoglobin less than 11 gm/dl at screening evaluation
* Weight less than 110 pounds
* BMI \<18 or \>35
* Current endocrine disease- including untreated thyroid abnormalities, pituitary or adrenal disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, or androgen producing tumor
* Current or recent pregnancy within two months of study enrollment
* Current or recent breast feeding within two months of study enrollment
* Diabetes, or renal, liver, or heart disease
* History of oophorectomy or hysterectomy
* History of radiation or surgery involving brain structures and/or pelvis/pelvic organs
* Currently taking any medications that may affect their reproductive hormones, such as contraceptive medications, androgens, estrogens, progestins, GnRH antagonists, GnRH agonists, insulinomimetics, and metformin.
* History of prior testosterone therapy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of California, San Diego

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Antoni Duleba

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Antoni Duleba, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

UC San Diego

Locations

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University of California San Diego

San Diego, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Related Links

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https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/085635s029lbl.pdf

Pfizer Inc. Depo®-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate injection, USP0 \[package insert\]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.

Other Identifiers

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1R01HD111650-01

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

808679

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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