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Natural Cycle Versus Stimulated Cycle Before Frozen Embryo Transfer

Comparison of the Number of Visits and the Quality of Life Versus Natural Cycle in Stimulated Cycle Before Frozen Embryo Transfer

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02834117
Acronym
SONTEC
Enrollment
124
Registered
2016-07-15
Start date
2015-05-31
Completion date
2018-03-31
Last updated
2019-02-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Fertility

Keywords

Ovulation Induction, quality of life, Reproductive Physiological Processes, fertility

Brief summary

Embryo freezing is a technique used regularly to optimize the pregnancy rate in case of infertility. This method is performed in presence of supernumerary embryo(s) after fresh transfer, or after freeze all embryos in case of medical reasons. It is necessary to control that the transfer is performed when the endometrium is receptive, which is essential for embryo implantation and pregnancy. This period is defined as the implantation window. Endometrial preparation can be achieved by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or moderate ovarian stimulation (SO). The implantation window can also be assessed by monitoring of a natural cycle (NC). The objectives of this open randomized study is to compare the number of visits (ultrasound and blood tests) induced by the SO or NC as well as the women quality of life in both groups.

Detailed description

For infertile couples supported by in vitro fertilization, embryo freezing is a technique used regularly to optimize the pregnancy rate per retrieval of oocytes. This method is performed in case of supernumerary embryo(s) after fresh embryo transfer, or freeze all of the embryonic cohort in case of medical reasons preventing the transfer. The embryo or embryos can then be thawed and transferred (FET) to achieve a live birth. However, it is necessary to first ensure that the transfer is carried out at a time when the endometrium is receptive, which is essential for embryo implantation and pregnancy. This period is defined as the implantation window. Endometrial preparation can be performed by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or moderate ovarian stimulation (SO). The implantation window can also be assessed by the monitoring of a natural cycle (NC). The choice of the key moment for the transfer is determined by ovulation and / or the rise of progesterone. To date, no study has demonstrated the superiority of one protocol over another in terms of birth rates. In the investigative center, treatment is usually carried out by daily subcutaneous injections of gonadotrophins followed by ovulation induction. In this context, the implementation of the FET in natural cycle may appear less burdensome for the patient and more physiological. The consideration is additional constraints, NC imposing more frequent monitoring (ultrasound and / or hormone assays) to detect the ovulation peak and less freedom in choosing the date of transfer. The average number of visits with SO is 2.6 per cycle. The aim of this study is to compare the stresses and safety of these two therapeutic proposals to determine the least restrictive for patients.

Interventions

Ovulation is not induced by drugs

DRUGmoderate ovarian stimulation

Ovulation is induced by recombinant follitropin alpha and recombinant choriogonadotropin

Sponsors

Dr Massin Nathalie
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
20 Years to 38 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Affiliation to the general social security regime and benefiting from 100% infertility; * Regular Cycles 26 to 35 days; * Support in IVF or ICSI ; * Existence of at least 2 frozen embryos to J2 or J3; * Treated for their first or second cycle of TEC.

Exclusion criteria

* Donor sperm; * Irregular cycles and / or polycystic ovary syndrome; * Embryos frozen at J1 or J5 / J6 or double planned transfer or transfer of 3 embryos intended; * Patients who have had more than 3 transfers or more than 6 embryos replaced without pregnancy or puncture rank\> 3; * uterine malformation existing; * Presence of a hydrosalpinx.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of visitsFrom inclusion visit to embryo transfer : up to 90 daysnumber of visits (for clinical examination, ultrasound and hormonal dosage) required to monitor ovulation in both groups

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
BirthFrom transfer to delivery : up to 9 monthsThe live birth rate per transfer defined by the birth of at least one living child
FertiqolFrom inclusion visit to embryo transfer : up to 90 daysthe score of quality of life related to the couple's infertility, the Fertiqol questionnaire, a questionnaire validated by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and taking into account the tolerance to treatment;
defrost cancellation rateFrom inclusion visit to embryo transfer : up to 90 daysthe defrost cancellation rate cycle started, whatever the cause: Early ovulation problem of organization, ... excluding non-transfer related to embryo lysis thawing
transfer on weekends and holidaysFrom inclusion visit to embryo transfer : up to 90 daysthe transfer rate on weekends and holidays
HCG levels> 100 U / LFrom inclusion visit to pregnancy test : up to 100 daysthe incipient pregnancy rate per transfer defined by a HCG levels\> 100 U / L
pregnancyFrom pregnancy test to ultrasound at 6 week of gestation : up to 100 daysthe rate of pregnancy by ultrasound transfer defined by the presence of a cardiac activity
Gestationnal age at deliveryFrom transfer to delivery : up to 9 monthsthe term of delivery
ImplantationFrom transfer to delivery : up to 9 monthsthe implantation rate defined by the total number of live births to the total number of embryos replaced
MiscarriageFrom pregnancy test to ultrasound at 6 week of gestation : up to 100 daysthe rate of early miscarriage (before 12 SA)
CostFrom pregnancy test to ultrasound at 6 week of gestation : up to 100 daysthe average estimated cost of drug treatment and monitoring (ultrasound and hormone assays).

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026