The EPIC Study: Exploring Paternal Age and the Influence on Blastocyst Culture

NCT ID: NCT06629766

Last Updated: 2025-04-17

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-09

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to assess the effect of age of the male partner and the reproductive ability of sperm prepared via sperm selection devices (Zymot) compared to routine embryologist selected sperm after density gradient centrifugation (DGC) preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment (IVF) of their infertility.

Detailed Description

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In this study, we aim to determine the clinical utility of the Zymot sperm selection methodology for ICSI, while also accounting for paternal age. This study will be a prospective, split cohort, randomized, control trial comparing the routine standard of DGC sperm preparation for ICSI versus sperm prepared via Zymot for ICSI. Embryology parameters, ploidy status, DNA fragmentation and clinical pregnancy outcomes will be assessed.

Conditions

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Infertility (IVF Patients) Oocyte Competence Sperm DNA Fragmentation Paternal Age Sperm Selection

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
Statistician

Study Groups

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Oocytes inseminated by sperm prepared by a microfluidic (Zymot) sperm preparation device

Half of the mature oocytes will be randomly allocated to receive sperm prepared by the microfluidic (Zymot) sperm preparation device. This sperm will be used by the embryologist for the ICSI procedure.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Microfluidic sperm separation device

Intervention Type DEVICE

An aliquot of 850ul will be used for the Zymot sperm selection device. The sperm processing via Zymot will be per manufacturer's guidelines

Oocytes inseminated by sperm prepared via density grade centrifugation

The other half of the mature oocytes will be allocated to receive sperm prepared by DGC. This sperm will be used by the embryologist for the ICSI procedure.

Group Type OTHER

Density grade centrifugation

Intervention Type OTHER

5ul of the ejaculated sample will be assessed for DGC via Makler assessment. If the sample for DGC is adequate per lab standard operating procedures, then routine DGC sperm preparation and embryologist sperm selection for the ICSI procedure will occur.

Interventions

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Microfluidic sperm separation device

An aliquot of 850ul will be used for the Zymot sperm selection device. The sperm processing via Zymot will be per manufacturer's guidelines

Intervention Type DEVICE

Density grade centrifugation

5ul of the ejaculated sample will be assessed for DGC via Makler assessment. If the sample for DGC is adequate per lab standard operating procedures, then routine DGC sperm preparation and embryologist sperm selection for the ICSI procedure will occur.

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Zymot

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Undergoing first IVF cycle
* Electing single embryo transfer
* Electing PGT-A of their embryos
* Female partners age \<42 years old at start of VOR cycle, but \>18 years old.
* AMH ≥ 1.2 ng/mL
* AFC ≥ 8
* FSH ≤ 12IU/L
* At least 4 mature oocytes (M2s) retrieved at the VOR procedure in order to randomize
* Intention to transfer the morphological best quality, euploid, embryo at the frozen embryo transfer procedure

Exclusion Criteria

* Contraindication to IVF
* Clinical indication for preimplantation genetic testing (i.e., screening for single gene disorder, chromosomal translocation, or any other disorders requiring a more detailed embryo genetic analysis)
* Male partner with azoospermia or oligozoospermia (\<500,000 total motile spermatozoa on the most recent semen analysis within one year of enrollment)
* Planned for previously cryopreserved sperm to be used for ICSI
* Donor sperm
* Male partner with Y-chromosome microdeletion
* Male partner with any Karyotype other than 46,XY
* Male partner requiring surgically obtained sperm either via testicular or epididymal retrieval procedures
* Uncorrected hydrosalpinges that communicate with the endometrial cavity
* Endometrial Insufficiency, as defined by a prior cycle with maximal endometrial thickness \<6mm,), or persistent endometrial fluid
* Donor oocyte or embryo cycles
* Gestational carriers
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

41 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Kassie Bollig, MD, MSCE

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey

Locations

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Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey

Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Caroline Clinical Research Nurse, BSN, RN

Role: CONTACT

973-656-2841

Christine Director of Research Operations, MS, BSN, RN

Role: CONTACT

973-656-2841

Other Identifiers

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2405-BRG-141-KB

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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