NCT00778999

Brief Summary

The success of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is critically dependent on optimizing protocols for controlled ovarian stimulation to provide adequate numbers of good quality oocytes and embryos. This optimization is mainly valuable to a group of infertility patients (9%-24%) who respond poorly to Controlled Ovarian Stimulation(COS). It is also important for an additional 2.6% of the infertility patients who manifest a high response to gonadotropin and are at risk for hyperstimulation syndrome, a life-threatening situation. Extensive research was carried out and led to the introduction of GnRH antagonist, as an alternative to Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist, for the prevention of premature Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surges. Further research to optimize the GnRH antagonist regimen concluded that a daily treatment with 200 IU of recombinant Follicle Stimulating Hormone (recFSH) in a GnRH antagonist regimen is safe, well tolerated and results in a good clinical outcome. This protocol is now frequently applied in the US and Europe. Predicting a woman's response (based on the assessment of ovarian reserve) to COS is useful in determining individualized clinical management strategies for low and high responders and thus avoiding cancellation. Such prediction when based on reliable scientific evidence is valuable in consulting patients about their chances of success. A large number of studies have been performed, which used certain clinical, ultrasonographic and hormonal markers (called predictive factors), to try to optimize a COS protocol for patients who were down-regulated with a long GnRH agonist protocol. Prospective trials of predictive models have also been used to adjust the starting dose of FSH to prevent a too low or too high ovarian response. To date, however, none have been performed for women undergoing ovarian stimulation with a GnRH antagonist protocol. The primary objective of this randomized, open-label, multicenter clinical trial was to identify one or more factors capable of predicting ovarian response in women treated with a daily dose of 200 IU recFSH in a GnRH antagonist protocol. Since many ART centers now use oral contraceptives as a means to schedule patients stimulated with recFSH and a GnRH antagonist for assisted reproduction, the trial evaluated also whether intervention with oral contraceptives affects the accuracy of predictive models for ovarian response.

Trial Health

100
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
442

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for phase_4

Timeline
Completed

Started Oct 2006

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

October 1, 2006

Completed
1.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 24, 2008

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 24, 2008

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 23, 2008

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 24, 2008

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

August 12, 2009

Completed
Last Updated

February 4, 2022

Status Verified

February 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

1.8 years

First QC Date

October 23, 2008

Results QC Date

June 23, 2009

Last Update Submit

February 2, 2022

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Total Number of Oocytes

    The total number of oocytes on the Day of oocyte pick-up is an indication of ovarian response

    12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Number of Mature Oocytes

    12 weeks

  • Number of Follicles on Stimulation Day 8

    12 weeks

  • Number of Follicles on Day of hCG

    12 weeks

  • Number of Fertilized (2PN) Oocytes

    12 weeks

  • Number of Good Quality Embryos

    12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Oral Contraceptive

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Use of oral contraceptive pills prior to controlled ovarian stimulation

Drug: Marvelon

Non-Oral Contraceptive

NO INTERVENTION

No use of oral contraceptive pills prior to controlled ovarian stimulation

Interventions

oral contraceptive 1 tablet daily for 14 to 21 days

Oral Contraceptive

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 39 Years
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Females of couples with an indication for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and/or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) scheduled for their first COS treatment cycle
  • Females \>18 and \<=39 years of age at the time of signing informed consent
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) \<= 32 kg/m\^2
  • Normal menstrual cycle length; 24-35 days
  • Availability of ejaculatory sperm (use of donated and/or cryopreserved sperm is allowed)
  • Willing and able to sign informed consent

You may not qualify if:

  • History of/or any current endocrine abnormality
  • Less than 2 ovaries or any other ovarian abnormality (inc.\>10mm endometrioma)
  • Presence of unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx
  • Presence of any clinically relevant pathology affecting the uterine cavity or fibroids \>= 5cm
  • History of recurrent miscarriage (3 or more, even when unexplained)
  • FSH or LH \> 12 IU/L as measured by a local laboratory (sample taken during the early follicular phase: menstrual day 2-5)
  • Any clinically relevant abnormal laboratory value (FSH, LH, estradiol (E2), Progesterone (P), total Testosterone (T), prolactin, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), blood biochemistry, hematology and urinalysis) based on a sample during the screening phase.
  • Contraindications for the use of gonadotropins (tumors, pregnancy, lactation, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, hypersensitivity, ovarian cysts)
  • Contraindications for the use of oral contraceptive pills (history of (h/o) thromboembolism, breast cancer, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding)
  • Recent history of/or current epilepsy, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, diabetes, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal or pulmonary disease
  • Abnormal karyotyping of the patient or her partner (if karyotyping is performed)
  • History or presence of alcohol or drug abuse within 12 months of signing the consent
  • Use of hormonal preparations within one month prior to randomization
  • Hypersensitivity to any of the concomitant medication prescribed as part of the treatment regimen in this protocol
  • Administration of investigational drugs within three months prior to signing the informed consent

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Related Publications (2)

  • Broekmans FJ, Verweij PJ, Eijkemans MJ, Mannaerts BM, Witjes H. Prognostic models for high and low ovarian responses in controlled ovarian stimulation using a GnRH antagonist protocol. Hum Reprod. 2014 Aug;29(8):1688-97. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deu090. Epub 2014 Jun 5.

  • Andersen AN, Witjes H, Gordon K, Mannaerts B; Xpect investigators. Predictive factors of ovarian response and clinical outcome after IVF/ICSI following a rFSH/GnRH antagonist protocol with or without oral contraceptive pre-treatment. Hum Reprod. 2011 Dec;26(12):3413-23. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der318. Epub 2011 Sep 27.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Infertility

Interventions

Desogestrel

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital DiseasesUrogenital Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

NorpregnenesNorpregnanesNorsteroidsSteroidsFused-Ring CompoundsPolycyclic Compounds

Results Point of Contact

Title
Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Development
Organization
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
No
Restriction Type
OTHER
Restrictive Agreement
Yes

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
INDUSTRY
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 23, 2008

First Posted

October 24, 2008

Study Start

October 1, 2006

Primary Completion

July 24, 2008

Study Completion

July 24, 2008

Last Updated

February 4, 2022

Results First Posted

August 12, 2009

Record last verified: 2022-02