Effect of GnRH Agonist vs GnRH Antagonist on Oocyte Morphology During IVF/ICSI

Summary

Selection of developmentally competent oocytes enhances IVF efficiency. Usually, oocyte quality is determined based on its nuclear maturation and the presence of specific cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic morphologic features. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH Agonists) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH Antagonists) are used during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols in order to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and premature ovulation. However, GnRH receptors are also expressed in extra-pituitary tissues such as ovary, but it is still unknown whether the type of GnRH analogues used during COS could affect the oocyte morphology, especially with the limited and conflicted currently available data. Thus, we are conducting this prospective, non-randomised, open-label, clinical trial to compare the effects of two pituitary suppression regimens; GnRH Agonist-Long Protocol and GnRH Antagonist-Flexible Protocol on oocyte morphology during IVF/ICSI.

Timeline

Start

2020-08-22

Primary completion

2022-03-15

Completion

2022-07-15

Publications

• Background Aguilar-Rojas A, Huerta-Reyes M. Human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor-activated cellular functions and signaling pathways in extra-pituitary tissues and cancer cells (Review). Oncol Rep. 2009 Nov;22(5):981-90. doi: 10.3892/or_00000525.
• Background Cheung LW, Wong AS. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: GnRH receptor signaling in extrapituitary tissues. FEBS J. 2008 Nov;275(22):5479-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06677.x.
• Background Setti AS, Figueira RC, de Almeida Ferreira Braga DP, Azevedo MC, Iaconelli A Jr, Borges E Jr. Oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum clusters originate blastocysts with impaired implantation potential. Fertil Steril. 2016 Dec;106(7):1718-1724. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.006. Epub 2016 Oct 12.
• Background Sfontouris IA, Lainas GT, Lainas TG, Faros E, Banti M, Kardara K, Anagnostopoulou K, Kontos H, Petsas GK, Kolibianakis EM. Complex chromosomal aberrations in a fetus originating from oocytes with smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) aggregates. Syst Biol Reprod Med. 2018 Aug;64(4):283-290. doi: 10.1080/19396368.2018.1466375. Epub 2018 May 2.
• Background Stigliani S, Moretti S, Casciano I, Canepa P, Remorgida V, Anserini P, Scaruffi P. Presence of aggregates of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in MII oocytes affects oocyte competence: molecular-based evidence. Mol Hum Reprod. 2018 Jun 1;24(6):310-317. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gay018.
• Background Setti AS, Figueira RC, Braga DP, Colturato SS, Iaconelli A Jr, Borges E Jr. Relationship between oocyte abnormal morphology and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes: a meta-analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2011 Dec;159(2):364-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2011.07.031. Epub 2011 Aug 6.
• Background Lazzaroni-Tealdi E, Barad DH, Albertini DF, Yu Y, Kushnir VA, Russell H, Wu YG, Gleicher N. Oocyte Scoring Enhances Embryo-Scoring in Predicting Pregnancy Chances with IVF Where It Counts Most. PLoS One. 2015 Dec 2;10(12):e0143632. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143632. eCollection 2015.
• Background Cota AM, Oliveira JB, Petersen CG, Mauri AL, Massaro FC, Silva LF, Nicoletti A, Cavagna M, Baruffi RL, Franco JG Jr. GnRH agonist versus GnRH antagonist in assisted reproduction cycles: oocyte morphology. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2012 Apr 27;10:33. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-10-33.
• Background Zanetti BF, Braga DPAF, Setti AS, Iaconelli A Jr, Borges E Jr. Effect of GnRH analogues for pituitary suppression on oocyte morphology in repeated ovarian stimulation cycles. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2020 Jan 30;24(1):24-29. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20190050.
• Background Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine and ESHRE Special Interest Group of Embryology. The Istanbul consensus workshop on embryo assessment: proceedings of an expert meeting. Hum Reprod. 2011 Jun;26(6):1270-83. doi: 10.1093/humrep/der037. Epub 2011 Apr 18.

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