The Efficiency of a New Sperm-Wash Device for Intrauterine Insemination in Couples With Infertility

NCT ID: NCT06956287

Last Updated: 2025-05-08

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

120 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-24

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel sperm-wash device designed to improve outcomes in intrauterine insemination (IUI) for couples with infertility. Traditional sperm preparation methods, such as density gradient centrifugation (DGC), are associated with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased sperm DNA fragmentation, potentially compromising pregnancy rates. The new device aims to reduce these adverse effects by minimizing oxidative stress and preserving sperm DNA integrity.

In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 120 couples will be allocated to either the intervention group using the new device or the control group using DGC. The primary outcome is the clinical pregnancy rate, while secondary outcomes include sperm DNA fragmentation. The study hypothesizes that the novel device will result in higher pregnancy rates and reduced DNA fragmentation compared to DGC. These findings may support its use as a more physiological approach to sperm preparation in fertility treatment.

Detailed Description

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This is a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled clinical trial conducted at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital. The study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel sperm-wash device-LensHooke CA0-in couples with infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). A total of 120 couples will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (LensHooke CA0) or the control group (DGC).

Sperm quality will be evaluated before and after processing, and IUI will be performed following standard clinical procedures. The primary outcome is the clinical pregnancy rate confirmed by ultrasound. The secondary outcome is the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), assessed using the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) test.

The study hypothesizes that the novel sperm-wash device will improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage compared to the conventional method. The trial aims to provide supporting evidence for a more physiological and efficient sperm selection strategy in assisted reproduction.

Conditions

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Infertility Male Infertility

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This is a two-arm, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either sperm preparation using the novel sperm-wash device (LensHooke® CA0) or conventional density gradient centrifugation.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Novel Sperm-Wash Device (CA0) Group

Participants in this arm will undergo sperm preparation using the LensHooke CA0 device. The device applies a filtration and swim-up mechanism to select sperm with improved motility, morphology, and DNA integrity, while reducing oxidative stress. The processed sperm will be used for intrauterine insemination (IUI). Outcomes including clinical pregnancy rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) will be assessed.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

LensHooke CA0

Intervention Type DEVICE

The intervention involves the use of the LensHooke CA0 sperm-wash device, which incorporates filtration and swim-up techniques to isolate motile and morphologically normal sperm with intact DNA integrity. It is used for sperm preparation in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. The device is designed to reduce oxidative stress and facilitate physiological sperm selection, providing a potential improvement over conventional density gradient centrifugation (DGC).

Conventional DGC Group

Participants in this arm will undergo sperm preparation using the standard density gradient centrifugation (DGC) method. This widely used technique separates motile sperm based on density. The processed sperm will then be used for intrauterine insemination (IUI). The same outcome measures as in the experimental group will be evaluated.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Density Gradient Centrifugation (DGC)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The control procedure involves the standard density gradient centrifugation (DGC) method, a widely accepted technique for sperm preparation in IUI. Semen samples are processed using commercially available gradient media to isolate progressively motile sperm. This method serves as the comparator to assess the clinical performance of the LensHooke CA0 device.

Interventions

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LensHooke CA0

The intervention involves the use of the LensHooke CA0 sperm-wash device, which incorporates filtration and swim-up techniques to isolate motile and morphologically normal sperm with intact DNA integrity. It is used for sperm preparation in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. The device is designed to reduce oxidative stress and facilitate physiological sperm selection, providing a potential improvement over conventional density gradient centrifugation (DGC).

Intervention Type DEVICE

Density Gradient Centrifugation (DGC)

The control procedure involves the standard density gradient centrifugation (DGC) method, a widely accepted technique for sperm preparation in IUI. Semen samples are processed using commercially available gradient media to isolate progressively motile sperm. This method serves as the comparator to assess the clinical performance of the LensHooke CA0 device.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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CA0 Conventional sperm preparation gradient centrifugation

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Males aged between 25 to 50 years.
* Part of a couple diagnosed with infertility.
* Undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment.
* Sperm concentration \>15 million/mL, progressive motility \>32%, and total motile sperm count \>40 million after wash.
* Willingness of both partners to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

* Known female infertility factors requiring assisted reproductive technologies beyond IUI.
* Severe male factor infertility (e.g., oligoasthenoteratozoospermia).
* Use of donor sperm or oocyte.
* Chronic illness or medications affecting sperm quality.
* Prior participation in another clinical trial within the past 3 months.
Minimum Eligible Age

25 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Chung Shan Medical University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Tsung-Hsien Lee

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Tsung-Hsien Lee, M.D., Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Chung Shan Medical University

Locations

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Chung Shan Medical University Hospital

Taichung, Taichung City, Taiwan

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Taiwan

Central Contacts

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Tsung-Hsien Lee, M.D., Ph.D.

Role: CONTACT

+886920823519

Facility Contacts

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Tsung-Hsien Lee, M.D., Ph.D

Role: primary

+886920823519

References

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Hsu CT, Lee CI, Lin FS, Wang FZ, Chang HC, Wang TE, Huang CC, Tsao HM, Lee MS, Agarwal A. Live motile sperm sorting device for enhanced sperm-fertilization competency: comparative analysis with density-gradient centrifugation and microfluidic sperm sorting. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2023 Aug;40(8):1855-1864. doi: 10.1007/s10815-023-02838-4. Epub 2023 Jun 10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37300647 (View on PubMed)

Osman A, Alsomait H, Seshadri S, El-Toukhy T, Khalaf Y. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on live birth rate after IVF or ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015 Feb;30(2):120-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.10.018. Epub 2014 Nov 13.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25530036 (View on PubMed)

Yang H, Li G, Jin H, Guo Y, Sun Y. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation index on assisted reproductive technology outcomes and its relationship with semen parameters and lifestyle. Transl Androl Urol. 2019 Aug;8(4):356-365. doi: 10.21037/tau.2019.06.22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31555559 (View on PubMed)

Duong TND, Dang VQ, Le TK, Vu ATL, Nguyen DL, Pham TD, Nguyen MT, Nguyen PTM, Vo TM, Nguyen CTH, Le PTB, Le AH, Tran CT, Mol BW, Vuong LN, Ho TM. Swim-up versus density gradients for sperm preparation in infertile couples undergoing intrauterine insemination: a randomized clinical trial. Hum Reprod. 2025 May 1;40(5):788-795. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deaf047.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 40135621 (View on PubMed)

Wright C, Milne S, Leeson H. Sperm DNA damage caused by oxidative stress: modifiable clinical, lifestyle and nutritional factors in male infertility. Reprod Biomed Online. 2014 Jun;28(6):684-703. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.02.004. Epub 2014 Mar 4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24745838 (View on PubMed)

Wagner H, Cheng JW, Ko EY. Role of reactive oxygen species in male infertility: An updated review of literature. Arab J Urol. 2017 Dec 8;16(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.aju.2017.11.001. eCollection 2018 Mar.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29713534 (View on PubMed)

Sadeghi MR. Unexplained infertility, the controversial matter in management of infertile couples. J Reprod Infertil. 2015 Jan-Mar;16(1):1-2. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25717428 (View on PubMed)

Juanpanich T, Suttirojpattana T, Parnpai R, Vutyavanich T. The relationship between reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation, and sperm parameters in human sperm using simplified sucrose vitrification with or without triple antioxidant supplementation. Clin Exp Reprod Med. 2022 Jun;49(2):117-126. doi: 10.5653/cerm.2021.05120. Epub 2022 May 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35698774 (View on PubMed)

Gelbaya TA, Potdar N, Jeve YB, Nardo LG. Definition and epidemiology of unexplained infertility. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2014 Feb;69(2):109-15. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000000043.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25112489 (View on PubMed)

Duran EH, Morshedi M, Taylor S, Oehninger S. Sperm DNA quality predicts intrauterine insemination outcome: a prospective cohort study. Hum Reprod. 2002 Dec;17(12):3122-8. doi: 10.1093/humrep/17.12.3122.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12456611 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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CS1-24198

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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