Comparing Ovarian Stimulation for Assisted Reproduction With Two Different Forms of Pituitary Suppression

Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the non-inferiority of a multidose GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix) regimen to a GnRH agonist (triptorelin) long protocol in young infertile women undergoing ovarian stimulation with Pergoveris 150 I.U./75 I.U. (r-hFSH/ r-hLH) for ICSI treatment because of male infertility. To assess the efficacy of ovarian stimulation using either a GnRH antagonist (cetrorelix) or a GnRH agonist (triptorelin) long protocol in infertile women with good prognosis and to determine the safety of ovarian stimulation. Subsample analysis: in 10 patients of each of both arms, serum samples will be collected daily during the stimulation period and be stored frozen at -70 °C. The following hormone concentrations will be measured later in single assay batches: LH, FSH, oestradiol, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, inhibin A, inhibin B, AMH. Multinational, multicentre, open label, randomized, 2-arm parallel-group phase IV study. Eligible patients will be randomly allocated to one of the two groups: the agonist group will receive Decapeptyl® 0.1 mg (triptorelin) starting in the mid-luteal phase of the natural cycle until downregulation until the day of ovulation induction. The antagonist group will receive cetrorelix 0.25 mg from stimulation day 6 to ovulation induction. In both groups, Pergoveris® 150 I.U./75 I.U. (r-hFSH/r-hLH) will be used for ovarian stimulation from cycle day 2 to ovulation induction.

Timeline

Start

2012-04

Primary completion

2012-12

Completion

2013-12

Publications

• Background Kolibianakis EM, Collins J, Tarlatzis BC, Devroey P, Diedrich K, Griesinger G. Among patients treated for IVF with gonadotrophins and GnRH analogues, is the probability of live birth dependent on the type of analogue used? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2006 Nov-Dec;12(6):651-71. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dml038. Epub 2006 Aug 18.
• Background Kolibianakis EM, Zikopoulos K, Schiettecatte J, Smitz J, Tournaye H, Camus M, Van Steirteghem AC, Devroey P. Profound LH suppression after GnRH antagonist administration is associated with a significantly higher ongoing pregnancy rate in IVF. Hum Reprod. 2004 Nov;19(11):2490-6. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deh471. Epub 2004 Aug 19.
• Background Al-Inany H, Aboulghar M. GnRH antagonist in assisted reproduction: a Cochrane review. Hum Reprod. 2002 Apr;17(4):874-85. doi: 10.1093/humrep/17.4.874.
• Background Pouly JL, Bachelot A, de Mouzon J, Devaux A; FIVNAT. [Comparison of agonists versus antagonists for i.v.f. stimulation: the French FIVNAT survey 2001-2002]. Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2004 Sep;32(9):737-40. doi: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2004.07.011. French.
• Background Griesinger G, Felberbaum R, Diedrich K. GnRH antagonists in ovarian stimulation: a treatment regimen of clinicians' second choice? Data from the German national IVF registry. Hum Reprod. 2005 Sep;20(9):2373-5. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dei086. Epub 2005 Jun 2.
• Background Huirne JA, Hugues JN, Pirard C, Fischl F, Sage JC, Pouly JL, Obruca A, Braat DM, van Loenen AC, Lambalk CB. Cetrorelix in an oral contraceptive-pretreated stimulation cycle compared with buserelin in IVF/ICSI patients treated with r-hFSH: a randomized, multicentre, phase IIIb study. Hum Reprod. 2006 Jun;21(6):1408-15. doi: 10.1093/humrep/del030. Epub 2006 Mar 14.
• Background Penarrubia J, Fabregues F, Creus M, Manau D, Casamitjana R, Guimera M, Carmona F, Vanrell JA, Balasch J. LH serum levels during ovarian stimulation as predictors of ovarian response and assisted reproduction outcome in down-regulated women stimulated with recombinant FSH. Hum Reprod. 2003 Dec;18(12):2689-97. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deg506.
• Background Coppola F, Poti ER, Barusi L, Ferrari B, Salvarani MC, Vadora E. Profound luteinizing hormone suppression induces a deleterious follicular environment during assisted reproduction technology. Fertil Steril. 2003 Feb;79(2):459-60. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(02)04671-x. No abstract available.
• Background Merviel P, Antoine JM, Mathieu E, Millot F, Mandelbaum J, Uzan S. Luteinizing hormone concentrations after gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist administration do not influence pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Fertil Steril. 2004 Jul;82(1):119-25. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.11.040.
• Background Burgues S; Spanish Collaborative Group on Female Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism. The effectiveness and safety of recombinant human LH to support follicular development induced by recombinant human FSH in WHO group I anovulation: evidence from a multicentre study in Spain. Hum Reprod. 2001 Dec;16(12):2525-32. doi: 10.1093/humrep/16.12.2525.
• Background Recombinant human luteinizing hormone (LH) to support recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced follicular development in LH- and FSH-deficient anovulatory women: a dose-finding study. The European Recombinant Human LH Study Group. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 May;83(5):1507-14. doi: 10.1210/jcem.83.5.4770.

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