Natural Cycle Versus Stimulated Cycle Before Frozen Embryo Transfer

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.

Timeline

Start

2015-05

Primary completion

2018-02

Completion

2018-03

Publications

• Background Bjuresten K, Landgren BM, Hovatta O, Stavreus-Evers A. Luteal phase progesterone increases live birth rate after frozen embryo transfer. Fertil Steril. 2011 Feb;95(2):534-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.05.019. Epub 2010 Jun 26.
• Background Boivin J, Takefman J, Braverman A. The fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool: development and general psychometric properties. Hum Reprod. 2011 Aug;26(8):2084-91. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der171. Epub 2011 Jun 10.
• Background de La Rochebrochard E, Quelen C, Peikrishvili R, Guibert J, Bouyer J. Long-term outcome of parenthood project during in vitro fertilization and after discontinuation of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. 2009 Jul;92(1):149-56. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.05.067. Epub 2008 Aug 15.
• Background Eftekhar M, Rahmani E, Pourmasumi S. Evaluation of clinical factors influencing pregnancy rate in frozen embryo transfer. Iran J Reprod Med. 2014 Jul;12(7):513-8.
• Background El Bahja D, Hertz P, Schweitzer T, Lestrade F, Ragage JP. [Frozen embryo transfer protocol: does spontaneous cycle give good results?]. Gynecol Obstet Fertil. 2013 Nov;41(11):648-52. doi: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2011.08.007. Epub 2012 Feb 16. French.
• Background Fatemi HM, Kyrou D, Bourgain C, Van den Abbeel E, Griesinger G, Devroey P. Cryopreserved-thawed human embryo transfer: spontaneous natural cycle is superior to human chorionic gonadotropin-induced natural cycle. Fertil Steril. 2010 Nov;94(6):2054-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.11.036. Epub 2010 Jan 25.
• Background Groenewoud ER, Cantineau AE, Kollen BJ, Macklon NS, Cohlen BJ. What is the optimal means of preparing the endometrium in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2013 Sep-Oct;19(5):458-70. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmt030. Epub 2013 Jul 2.
• Background Haouzi D, Assou S, Mahmoud K, Tondeur S, Reme T, Hedon B, De Vos J, Hamamah S. Gene expression profile of human endometrial receptivity: comparison between natural and stimulated cycles for the same patients. Hum Reprod. 2009 Jun;24(6):1436-45. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dep039. Epub 2009 Feb 26.
• Background Nargund G, Wei CC. Successful planned delay of ovulation for one week with indomethacin. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1996 Sep;13(8):683-4. doi: 10.1007/BF02069650. No abstract available.
• Background Park SJ, Goldsmith LT, Skurnick JH, Wojtczuk A, Weiss G. Characteristics of the urinary luteinizing hormone surge in young ovulatory women. Fertil Steril. 2007 Sep;88(3):684-90. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.01.045. Epub 2007 Apr 16.
• Background Tobler KJ, Zhao Y, Weissman A, Majumdar A, Leong M, Shoham Z. Worldwide survey of IVF practices: trigger, retrieval and embryo transfer techniques. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014 Sep;290(3):561-8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3232-6. Epub 2014 Apr 18.
• Background Tomas C, Alsbjerg B, Martikainen H, Humaidan P. Pregnancy loss after frozen-embryo transfer--a comparison of three protocols. Fertil Steril. 2012 Nov;98(5):1165-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.07.1058. Epub 2012 Jul 27.
• Background Troude P, Guibert J, Bouyer J, de La Rochebrochard E; DAIFI Group. Medical factors associated with early IVF discontinuation. Reprod Biomed Online. 2014 Mar;28(3):321-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.10.018. Epub 2013 Oct 31.
• Background Weissman A, Levin D, Ravhon A, Eran H, Golan A, Levran D. What is the preferred method for timing natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer? Reprod Biomed Online. 2009 Jul;19(1):66-71. doi: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60048-x.
• Background Yu J, Ma Y, Wu Z, Li Y, Tang L, Li Y, Deng B. Endometrial preparation protocol of the frozen-thawed embryo transfer in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015 Jan;291(1):201-11. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3396-0. Epub 2014 Jul 31.

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Indications