Clinical trial NCT03604549
Conditions: Infertility
Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Start date: 2019-01-11; Completion date: 2021-08-25
Enrollment: 58 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
Performing fluoroscopic HSG with oil based contrast medium has been shown to increase pregnancy rates in a subfertile population. This is a pilot study to test the efficacy of as well as the tolerability and safety of using lipid based oil medium for sonographic based hysterosalpingography (Sono HSG) compared to water based contrast (i.e. normal saline) for women seeking fertility. The double blind study will randomize 56 women at the time of Sono HSG in a 1:1 ratio to receive through the SHG catheter either up to 10 cc of Lipiodol UF® or normal saline. The investigators will collect subjective pain experience and follow the subjects for 6 months after the test for pregnancy and collect all adverse events during and after the procedure.

Detailed description:

Arms: arm 1: Women in this arm will receive a flush with saline after normal saline Sono HSG. arm 2: Women in this arm will receive a flush with Lipiodol UF after normal saline Sono HSG.
Interventions: intervention 1: Lipiodol UF intervention 2: Saline
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Up to 10cc of Lipiodol Ultra Fluid will be infused via intrauterine catheter intervention 2: Up to 10cc of saline will be infused via intrauterine catheter

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
Page 1 of 19 (V.04/27/2017)
HRP-591 - Protocol for 
Human Subject Research
Protocol Title:
Therapeutic Effect of Sonographic Hysterosalpingography: Oil vs Water Based Media:  The SHOW Pilot Trial
Principal Investigator:
Name:  Dr. Richard S. Legro, MD
Department: OB/GYN
Telephone: 531-8478
E-mail Address: rsl1@psu.edu
Version Date:
05/14/2020
Clinicaltrials.gov Registration #:
NCT03604549
Important Instructions for Using This Protocol Template:
1.
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page, item 7.
2.
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by the IRB to determine whether a study meets all applicable criteria for approval.
3.
Type your protocol responses below the gray instructional boxes of guidance language.  If the section or item is
not applicable, indicate not applicable.
4.
For research being conducted at Penn State Hershey or by Penn State Hershey researchers only, delete the
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other research, do not delete the instructional boxes from the final version of the protocol.
5.
When making revisions to this protocol as requested by the IRB, please follow the instructions outlined in the Study
Submission Guide available in the Help Center in CATS IRB (http://irb.psu.edu) for using track changes.
If you need help…
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The 330 Building, Suite 205
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Phone: 814-865-1775
Fax: 814-863-8699
Email: irb-orp@psu.edu
College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center:
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Table of Contents
1.0
Objectives
2.0
Background
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3.0
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
4.0
Recruitment Methods
5.0
Consent Process and Documentation
6.0
HIPAA Research Authorization and/or Waiver or Alteration of Authorization
7.0
Study Design and Procedures
8.0
Subject Numbers and Statistical Plan
9.0
Confidentiality, Privacy and Data Management
10.0
Data and Safety Monitoring Plan
11.0
Risks
12.0
Potential Benefits to Subjects and Others
13.0
Sharing Results with Subjects
14.0
Subject Stipend (Compensation) and/or Travel Reimbursements
15.0
Economic Burden to Subjects
16.0
Resources Available
17.0
Other Approvals
18.0
Multi-Site Research
19.0
Adverse Event Reporting
20.0
Study Monitoring, Auditing and Inspecting
21.0
Future Undetermined Research: Data and Specimen Banking
22.0
References
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1.0
Objectives
1.1
Study Objectives
The primary objective is to collect the ongoing pregnancy rate among subjects in the study.  The co-
primary objective is observe the safety and tolerability of Lipiodol UF®.  Secondary objectives will be to 
document the relative pain during the Sono HSG procedure and any changes in quality of life as a result 
of the procedure according to the contrast agent.  Exploratory outcomes will be the feasibility of 
blinding the patient and observer to the type of contrast medium injected at the end of the Sono HSG 
procedure and the prevalence of Anti-Chlamydial antibodies and association with outcomes.  The results 
from this pilot trial will guide the design of a larger multi-center clinical trial examining Lipiodol UF® as a 
contrast agent during Sono HSG.
1.2
Primary Study Endpoints
Ongoing pregnancy rate (8 week viable intrauterine pregnancy) on all pregnancies conceived within 6 
months(+2 weeks) of Sono HSG.
   
1.3
Secondary Study Endpoints
Procedural related pain on visual analogue scale (VAS) score, echogenicity of Lipiodol UF®  with 
ultrasound, accuracy of patient and investigator assessment of type of contrast medium received during 
the study, prevalence of anti-chlamydial antibodies, live birth rate.  
2.0
Background 
2.1
Scientific Background and Gaps
Hysterosalpingography is a common test in women with primary and secondary infertility to establish a 
normal uterine cavity and tubal patency and traditionally has been done under fluoroscopy.    There is 
no standardized way of performing the test nor is there agreement on the best contrast media.   
However there is evidence that this test may have therapeutic benefit as many couples conceive after 
the female has undergone the test, prior to initiating treatment.  The use of oil-based vs water-based 
contrast media for hysterosalpingography has been an ongoing subject of debate dating into the 1950’s 
and before.   Oil based media have been theorized  to have greater benefit on facilitating pregnancy 
after the test (both spontaneously and after treatment) compared to water based agents.   There have 
been a number of randomized trials to support this and serial meta-analyses have documented a benefit 
of oil-based contrast media over water-based on pregnancy rates.(1-3)   The exact mechanisms for the 
improvement of fertility are unknown, but it is theorized that oil based method may better unclog 
blocked or obstructive fallopian tubes of accumulated debris.   There may also be immune modulated 
effects that improve fertilization.   It has also been suggested that women with unexplained infertility 
may receive the greatest therapeutic benefit from the use of oil-based contrast agents. 
We plan to study a specific oil based contrast medium,  Lipiodol UF® (Guerbet LLC, Princeton, NJ).  This 
product is FDA approved for infusion during hysterosalpingography in the U.S.  There have been a 
number of small published RCTs documenting a pregnancy benefit with this specific contrast agent vs 
water-based contrast(4,5) with long term follow up of safety and efficacy.(6)
The major controversy about the use of oil-based contrast agents are concerns about the safety with 
reports of granuloma formation in the pelvis and concerns about intravasation of oil-based dye and 
related morbidity including at least one reported case of a coma which eventually resolved 
spontaneously.
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There are multiple public health issues that could benefit from further study of oil-based agents.  We 
have seen an increasing utilization of in vitro fertilization in the U.S. and throughout the world.  The 
indications for IVF which were originally tubal disease, have now expanded to any infertility diagnosis, 
and we are seeing increasing utilization of this technology for ovulatory disorders and unexplained 
infertility which used to be managed with less expensive therapies.(7)  Additionally IVF in the U.S. is 
associated with a high risk of multiple pregnancy, currently approaching 30% because of the habit of 
transferring multiple embryos (up to 2 in most patients).(8)  While the introduction of guidelines limiting 
the number of embryos transferred has lowered the high order multiple pregnancy rate (i.e. triplets or 
higher), this twinning rate has remained high. Twinning remains an undesirable treatment outcome due 
to   its associated increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity (through increased maternal rates of 
pre-eclampsia, abnormal placentation, abruption, etc and through increased prematurity, either 
iatrogenic or spontaneous due to preterm delivery on the fetus).  Identifying a fertility test that also has 
therapeutic benefit, would increase the number of  pregnancies conceived naturally or with low cost, 
low multiple pregnancy-associated fertility treatments (i.e. mainly oral based ovarian stimulation agents 
for the female factor and intrauterine inseminations for male factor).   Reducing preterm delivery rates 
and fetal prematurity is the number one perinatal health issue in the United States.
Unrecognized tubal disease remains a leading cause of infertility in the world.  Many have 
recommended using serum tests to document a history of pelvic infection and potential tubal disease.  
One of the tests that is used world-wide but remains experimental are tests for anti-chlamydial 
antibodies.  Chlamydia remains a common sexually transmitted disease and a major cause of pelvic 
inflammatory disease, tubal damage, and infertility.   We have previously shown that anti-chlamydial 
antibodies (specifically anti-Chlamydial trachomatis IgG3 seropositivity) is associated with lower 
pregnancy rates and higher rates of ectopic pregnancy in an infertile population undergoing first line 
infertility treatment with oral ovarian stimulation agents combined with either timed intercourse or 
intrauterine insemination.(9)  We are further interested in incorporating this test into the fertility testing 
regimen and it may also select patients who may be more likely to conceive after Sono HSG testing (i.e. 
by the absence of anti-chlamydial antibodies).
2.2
Previous Data
Recently a large multi-center trial using this agent compared to a water-based agent was conducted in 
the Netherlands and the results were reported at the Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human 
Reproduction and Endocrinology (ESHRE) in 2015.   The trial (H2OIlie study) randomized 1119 women 
primarily with unexplained infertility in a 1:1 ratio to the agents and found a significantly higher ongoing 
pregnancy rate 6 mos after HSG (the primary outcome) with Lipiodol UF®  compared to the water-based 
agent, i.e. 39.2% vs. 28.5%, Relative Risk (RR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs)   RR = 1.38, 95% CIs 
1.16 to 1.63.  These data to date have only been published in abstract form.  
2.3
Study Rationale
The rationale for this trial is to further explore the use of oil based contrast media, specifically Lipiodol 
UF® both in the context of a contrast agent and as a potential treatment agent for women from couples 
with infertility.  We specifically propose, eventually, to both build on and replicate the H2Oilie trial 
conducted in the Netherlands.   We will build on the H2Oilie trial by utilizing ultrasound instead of 
fluoroscopy to conduct our HSG.   Ultrasound based hysterosalpingography, i.e. Sono HSG, can be 
conducted in an outpatient setting by a single physician.    It avoids patient and physician exposure to 
radiation, in many cases the additional trip to an inpatient hospital, the requirement of staffing by both 
radiologic and gynecologic personnel, and the greater expense of fluoroscopic HSG.   We will expand the 
patient population from primarily women with unexplained infertility, to all women with infertility who 
will receive expectant management or conventional first line therapies.  We will excluded women who 
will be going on to in vitro fertilization (IVF) as the chosen infertility therapy, because IVF as a first line 
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therapy is only applicable to women with tubal occlusion/tubal disease or couples with severe 
oligospermia  requiring oocyte insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).   
Our specific hypothesis is that tubal patency testing by Sono HSG with an oil-based contrast medium, 
Lipiodol UF®,  will lead to higher ongoing pregnancy rates compared to the use of normal saline as a 
contrast medium with equal safety as a saline contrast agent.    
The intervention will involve injection of 10 cc of Lipiodol UF® versus saline at the time of Sono HSG as a 
control.  Lipiodol UF® is approved as an injection agent for HSG by the U.S. FDA. 
The underlying rational for the pilot trial is to obtain preliminary data and to pilot the methodology to 
conduct a larger multi-center trial definitively powered to document the safety and efficacy of Lipiodol 
UF® as a primary contrast agent during Sono HSG.
3.0
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
3.1
Inclusion Criteria
1.
Female, age 18-40 years
2.
Eligible for Sono HSG for fertility testing
3.
In good general health
4.
Willing and capable of complying with the study procedures
5.
At least one patent tube and no endometrial pathology on Sono HSG
6.
Ready to undergo infertility treatment immediately after the test
7.
Not planning on IVF therapy in the next 6 mos
3.2
Exclusion Criteria
1.
Known tubal or endometrial (polyp, submucous fibroid, etc.)  pathology
2.
At high risk for tubal disease due to history of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
3.
Known hypersensitivity to Lipiodol UF®or  known allergy to iodine containing contrast media or 
shellfish
4.
Endometrial pathology on Sono HSG requiring further evaluation (as per the performing physician)
5.
Bilateral tubal occlusion on Sono HSG
6.
Unable to tolerate potential pain associated with the study.
7.
Requiring IVF due to severe male factor, known pelvic adhesions, etc. 
8.
Couples with decreased male factor fertility rate (i.e., low sperm count or motility, i.e. less than 5 
million/mL concentration on semen analysis
3.3
Early Withdrawal of Subjects
3.3.1 Criteria for removal from study
Patients are free to withdraw from participation in the study at any time upon request.  We do not 
anticipate a reason for termination.  
3.3.2
Follow-up for withdrawn subjects
We will follow all subjects even if they discontinue fertility treatment, either voluntarily or because of an 
adverse event (AE) or severe adverse event (SAE) related to the Sono HSG procedure.  
4.0
Recruitment Methods
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4.1
Identification of subjects
Patients will be identified via chart review and recruited from the practice at Penn State Hershey by the 
investigators and study personnel.
4.2
Recruitment process
Patients will be recruited from the practice at Penn State Hershey by the investigators and study 
personnel.  They will be provided with the study information from their clinician when presented all 
options currently available for infertility treatment.  Participants who are potentially interested will 
contact the study staff for more information/screening. 
4.3
Recruitment materials
Phone Screening Eligibility Form will be used to pre-screen interested subjects.
4.4
Eligibility/screening of subjects
A screening script will be designed and utilized to use in response to a potential subjects 
interest in the study. This will include a script to follow as well as a list of general 
inclusion/exclusion questions to be asked as part of the pre-screening process.
5.0
Consent Process and Documentation 
5.1
Consent Process 
 
5.1.1
Obtaining Informed Consent
5.1.1.1 Timing and Location of Consent
After the subject has completed a pre-screening and has agreed to participate in the study, 
consent will be obtained. If the participant has an upcoming clinic visit, the informed 
consent process will take place in our infertility clinic, located at 35 Hope Drive with one of 
the study investigators or a study coordinator.  If the participant does not have an 
upcoming clinic visit, this will be done over the phone with the subject and a study 
coordinator along with a witness on the study coordinator’s end. The participant, along 
with the study coordinator and witness will sign the consent documents.  Participants will 
then mail, scan, or fax the signed consent form back to the study staff.  Study staff will then 
attach the witness signature page to the signed consent form then provide a copy of all 
pages to the subject. No study procedures will be conducted before the patient signs the 
informed consent and any investigators who are not authorized to perform consenting 
procedures will not do so. 
5.1.1.2 Coercion or Undue Influence during Consent
Study subjects will be provided the study information from their clinician along with all 
other options currently available for infertility treatment. It will be the subject’s decision 
to pursue the study. If the subject completes the pre-screening process and is interested 
in the study, the subject can opt to proceed with the study. If the subject decides to not 
participate, they will not be swayed otherwise. The subject’s decision to participate or 
not to participate in the study will not affect their care. 
5.1.2
Waiver or alteration of the informed consent requirement
A partial waver of consent has been requested for recruitment purposes in order to use chart 
review to identify patients who are potentially eligible for the study so that they can be 
approached to determine if they are interested in participating. 
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5.2
Consent Documentation
5.2.1
Written Documentation of Consent
The subject will review the ICF with an approved member of the investigative team. Each section 
of the ICF will be reviewed and after each section the subject will have an opportunity to ask 
questions. All questions will be answered. At the end of the verbal review of the consent form, 
the subject will have time to read the entire consent form thoroughly. If the subject agrees to 
study participation and all questions have been answered, the subject will sign, date and time 
the ICF. The person providing the ICF as well as a witness to the verbal consent process if 
completed over the phone will also sign, date and time the ICF. A copy of the signed ICF will be 
provided to the subject. 
Written consent will be obtained over the phone for those participants who do not have an 
upcoming clinic visit, willutilize a witness on the study coordinator’s end and will be 
faxed/scanned/mailed by the participant to the researcher.  This will lessen the burden on the 
subject so that they do not have to come in solely to sign the consent form and allow 
researchers the ability to randomize the patient prior to their arrival for the procedure so as to 
minimize delays in the visit.  
5.2.2
Waiver of Documentation of Consent (Implied consent, Verbal consent, etc.)
A waiver of documentation of consent is requested for recruitment purposes. Verbal consent 
will be obtained from potential subjects prior to asking the Pre-Screening questions. 
5.3
Consent – Other Considerations 
5.3.1
Non-English Speaking Subjects
The inclusion of non-English speaking subjects is not planned.
5.3.2
Cognitively Impaired Adults
NOT APPLICABLE
5.3.2.1 Capability of Providing Consent
5.3.2.2 Adults Unable To Consent
5.3.2.3 Assent of Adults Unable to Consent
5.3.3
Subjects who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) 
NOT APPLICABLE
5.3.3.1 Parental Permission
5.3.3.2 Assent of subjects who are not yet adults
6.0
HIPAA Research Authorization and/or Waiver or Alteration of Authorization
6.1
Authorization and/or Waiver or Alteration of Authorization for the Uses and Disclosures of PHI
Check all that apply:
 
Not applicable, no identifiable protected health information (PHI) is accessed, used or 
disclosed in this study. [Mark all parts of sections 6.2 and 6.3 as not applicable]
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Authorization will be obtained and documented as part of the consent process. [If this is the 
only box checked, mark sections 6.2 and 6.3 as not applicable]
Partial waiver is requested for recruitment purposes only (Check this box if patients’ medical 
records will be accessed to determine eligibility before consent/authorization has been 
obtained). [Complete all parts of sections 6.2 and 6.3]
Full waiver is requested for entire research study (e.g., medical record review studies). 
[Complete all parts of sections 6.2 and 6.3]
Alteration is requested to waive requirement for written documentation of authorization 
(verbal authorization will be obtained). [Complete all parts of sections 6.2 and 6.3]
6.2
Waiver or Alteration of Authorization for the Uses and Disclosures of PHI
6.2.1
Access, use or disclosure of PHI representing no more than a minimal risk to the privacy of the 
individual
6.2.1.1 Plan to protect PHI from improper use or disclosure
Information is included in the “Confidentiality, Privacy and Data Management” 
section of this protocol.
6.2.1.2 Plan to destroy identifiers or a justification for retaining identifiers 
At the end of the study, all study databases will be de-identified and archived at 
the Penn State Department of Public Health Sciences server. 
6.2.2
Explanation for why the research could not practicably be conducted without access to and 
use of PHI
We will need access to the medical record in order to identify patients who are potentially 
eligible for the research study.  Participant medical records will also need to be reviewed in 
order to obtain data in the follow-up period regarding pregnancy outcomes and adverse events. 
6.2.3
Explanation for why the research could not practicably be conducted without the waiver or 
alteration of authorization
We will need a partial waiver in order to identify potentially eligible subjects using the electronic 
medical record prior to consent. 
6.3
Waiver or alteration of authorization statements of agreement
Protected health information obtained as part of this research will not be reused or disclosed to any 
other person or entity, except as required by law, for authorized oversight of the research study, or for 
other permitted uses and disclosures according to federal regulations. 
The research team will collect only information essential to the study and in accord with the ‘Minimum 
Necessary’ standard (information reasonably necessary to accomplish the objectives of the research) 
per federal regulations. 
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Access to the information will be limited, to the greatest extent possible, within the research team. All 
disclosures or releases of identifiable information granted under this waiver will be accounted for and 
documented.
7.0
Study Design and Procedures
7.1
Study Design
The study will be a double blind randomized controlled trial of Lipiodol UF® vs Normal Saline as a Sono 
HSG contrast medium.  It will be a single center trial with a 1:1 randomization ratio. 
7.2
Study Procedures
Screening 
Enrollment/Study 
Visit
Time = 0
Post 
Procedure
 = 2 – 4 weeks
Final Study 
Contact
Time = 6 mos 
(+2 weeks)
Pregnancy 
Follow up
Up to 15 mos 
Inclusion/Exclusion 
Criteria
X
Review Informed 
Consent and Obtain 
Per Telephone
X
Schedule Sono HSG 
X
Collect Written 
Informed Consent
X
Randomize
X
Perform Urine 
Pregnancy Test
X
Perform Sono HSG 
with Saline and 
then Study Agent
X
Administer FertiQol 
Questionnaire
X
X
Assess Patient VAS 
score
X
Assess echogenicity 
of study media
X
Assess adequacy of 
blinding by patient 
and physician
X
Obtain Blood for 
Anti-Chlamydial 
Antibodies 
X
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Screening 
Enrollment/Study 
Visit
Time = 0
Post 
Procedure
 = 2 – 4 weeks
Final Study 
Contact
Time = 6 mos 
(+2 weeks)
Pregnancy 
Follow up
Up to 15 mos 
Obtain blood for 
TSH and Free T4
X
X
Collect adverse 
events since test
X
Obtain Release of 
Pregnancy Records 
as necessary
X
Collect all 
pregnancy 
outcomes
X
7.2.1
Screening 
When patients are offered Sono HSG as part of fertility testing, they will be given a study 
brochure and a copy of the consent form.  Because this test is performed in the follicular phase 
prior to ovulation, the test is scheduled for some future date allowing screening of the potential 
participants and time for participants to review the consent and decide whether to participate.  
An initial screening with the study coordinator will occur to ensure eligibility based on patient 
desire and meeting inclusion and avoiding exclusion criteria.  All questions about the consent 
will be answered during screening. 
7.2.2
Randomization 
Randomization will be performed after written consent is obtained and prior to any study 
procedures taking place.  Contrast media will be prepared in stable opaque syringes and picked 
up from the Investigational Pharmacy.  Randomization will occur using the REDCap 
randomization module.
7.2.3
Baseline Assessments/Study Intervention
Case report forms documenting the history will be obtained, the Ferti-QOL (12) quality of life 
survey will be obtained.  Serum for Anti-Chlamydial antibodies as well as Free T4 and TSH will be 
drawn before or after the Sono HSG depending on the patient’s reason for visit, as often a 
baseline progesterone and hCG level are obtained prior to the Sono HSG if the patient is to go 
on immediately to treatment.  The rationale for the Anti-Chlamydial antibodies is that we have 
shown they are associated with failure to conceive and pregnancy loss including ectopic 
pregnancies in our prospective randomized controlled trials (9).  Samples drawn for anti-
chlamydial antibodies will be sent to the study sponsor’s laboratory for analysis.  Free T4 and 
TSH will be collected in order to assess thyroid function.  A urine pregnancy test will be 
performed.  We will then proceed with the Sono HSG. This begins first with a routine pelvic 
ultrasound.  Then a speculum is inserted into the vagina and then the Sono HSG catheter is 
inserted through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity and the balloon is inflated to maintain 
a seal at the cervical canal.    A special device, i.e. the FemVue system, will then be used to 
infuse normal saline while at the same time creating bubbles to ease ultrasound visualization.   
The speculum is removed and the transvaginal ultrasound probe is inserted.  The Sono HSG 
begins with infusion of normal saline via the FemVue catheter.   After a patient has had an SHG 
with a normal cavity and at least one patent tube as determined by the performing physician, 
the patient will receive the study contrast or control saline which will be in an opaque glass 
syringe and connected to the uterine catheter via opaque tubing to allow double blinding of 
physician and patient. The study agent will be shaken vigorously to induce turbulence and air 
bubbles to ease tracking of the agent and then infused in 2 cc increments under ultrasound 
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visualization while the physician again visualizes the uterine cavity and patency of the fallopian 
tube(s).  Infusion will cease with documentation of a normal cavity and tubal patency or when 
10 cc have been infused. The amount of contrast infused will be recorded.  After infusion the 
patient will be asked to assess the degree of pain she experienced by the VAS scale and both 
physician and patient will be asked to document a guess as to what contrast medium was used 
as study agent.
7.2.4
Post-Procedure Visit (2-4 weeks) 
Participants will have a blood draw completed 2-4 weeks after the Sono HSG procedure to re-
test TSH and Free T4.  
7.2.5
Follow Up (up to 15 months)
Follow up will take place via review of medical records.  Patients will follow American Society of 
Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines for treatment.(13)  Currently, based on Level I 
evidence that would be clomiphene/IUI for unexplained infertility (14) and letrozole with timed 
intercourse for polycystic ovary syndrome.(15) The initial consent will allow access to all medical 
records in the Electronic Health Record including any resulting pregnancy.   Data collected will 
include any potential adverse events as well as information on the participant’s course of 
infertility treatment/any resulting pregnancy outcomes up to 15 months after the procedure.  If 
a patient seeks infertility or pregnancy care outside the institution we will obtain a release of 
records form from the patient at their last visit to our infertility clinic to obtain release of these 
records at the end of the 6 month participation in the study (or longer if a patient conceives at 
the end of the 6 month window of study participation).  We will not follow any conceptions that 
occur more than 6 months after performing the Sono SHG.  A conception is defined as a positive 
urine or serum pregnancy test for hCG.  All conceptions will be followed up to the completion of 
that pregnancy.  
7.2.6
Final Study Contact (6 months + 2 weeks) 
The final study contact will take place by mail.  If the patient has not become pregnant, the 
patient will be mailed the follow up Ferti-QOL questionnaire to fill out with a self addressed 
prepaid return envelope.  Any pregnancies that occur up to 6 months after randomization will 
be followed to completion and will not receive a FertiQol questionnaire.  
7.3
Duration of Participation
Study duration will typically be 6 months(+2weeks), but can be up to 15 months if conception occurs at 
the end of study period. 
7.4
Test Article(s) (Study Drug(s) and/or Study Device(s))
7.4.1
Description
Lipiodol UF® is an FDA- approved oil-based radiopaque contrast agent indicated for: 
hysterosalpingography in adults, lymphography in adult and pediatric patients selective hepatic 
intra-arterial use for imaging tumors in adults with known hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
7.4.2
Treatment Regimen
The physician will dose at 2 cc increments into the uterine cavity via the Sono HSG Catheter, 
visualizing the endometrial cavity via ultrasound and ruling out filling defects as well as 
visualizing the left and the right fallopian tube to document patency.  Up to 10 cc can be instilled 
into the uterine cavity.
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7.4.3
Method for Assigning Subject to Treatment Groups
The randomization scheme for this study will use 1:1 group allocation via variable-size, random 
permuted blocks to ensure that the number of participants in each treatment arm is balanced 
after each set of B randomized participants, where B is the block size. The study coordinator will 
use the randomization module in the password protected, secure REDCap database software to 
randomize the participant. Participants will be entered consecutively. The Penn State 
Investigational Pharmacy will have access to the randomization scheme and perform the 
preparation of study contrast to maintain double blinding.  
7.4.4
Subject Compliance Monitoring
The drug will be administered to the subject under the supervision of the physician performing 
the procedure. 
7.4.5
Blinding of the Test Article
The drug will be prepared and blinded by Investigational Drug Services at Penn State Hershey.  
They drug will be dispensed in an opaque syringe and opaque tubing will be used during the 
procedure to maintain the double blind. 
7.4.6
Receiving, Storage, Dispensing and Return 
7.4.6.1 Receipt of Test Article 
The study agent, Lipiodol UF®,  will be purchased from Guerbert LLC, Princeton, NJ and 
shipped to the Investigational Pharmacy at Penn State Hershey which will store and 
dispense the product for the study.  The study agent will be ordered in 10cc vials.   The 
Investigational Pharmacy at Penn State Hershey will also prepare the normal saline 
control for Sono HSG.  
7.4.6.2 Storage
The study agent Lipiodol UF® will be stored at room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F) 
and protected from light in the investigational pharmacy until prepared for use.  
7.4.6.3 Preparation and Dispensing
The study agent Lipiodol UF® or the control normal saline will be re-packaged prior to 
administration in a 10 cc opaque glass syringe by the Penn State Investigational 
Pharmacy and will be coded in a de-identified fashion.  It will be dispensed upon 
physician prescription to study personnel.  
7.4.6.4 Return or Destruction of the Test Article
All unused Lipiodol UF® will be returned to Guerbet, LLC at the end of the study.
7.4.6.5  Prior and Concomitant Therapy
Participants who are planning to undergo IVF therapy in the next six months will not be 
included in the study.
8.0
Subject Numbers and Statistical Plan
8.1
Number of Subjects
Fifty-six subjects will be randomized and receive study intervention, twenty-eight per randomization 
arm.  We estimate that we will need to screen one hundred patients in order to meet this goal. 
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8.2
Sample size determination
For pilot studies it has been suggested that sample sizes ranging anywhere from 12 to 60 subjects per 
group would provide sufficient data to obtain estimates of the primary outcome in order to power a 
future definitive clinical trial, as well as provide sufficient evidence to assess feasibility, blinding safety, 
and regulatory considerations.(16) A sample size of 50 evaluable subjects (25 per group) should be 
sufficient in order to satisfy the goals of this pilot study (i.e., feasibility of binding the contrast medium, 
obtaining estimates for a formal power calculation of a future trial, and evaluating the safety of the 
contrast medium). We anticipate, however, that 10% of the subjects will either drop-out prior to study 
completion or be randomized but not be able to have a Sono HSG performed because they change their 
minds during the procedure and opt out or they have bilateral tubal occlusion or a hydrosalpinx. 
Also, subjects may not be evaluable as result of technical errors associated with manipulation of the required 
glass syringe for study drug administration.  Therefore, we will recruit a minimum of 60 subjects up to a 
maximum of 72 subjects, terminating enrollment once we have reached the goal of 50 evaluable subjects.  
8.3
Statistical methods
The analysis dataset will follow a modified intention to treat (mITT) where all evaluable subjects will be 
analyzed.  For the pilot study, an evaluable subject is a subject that has been randomized and has 
completed the Sono HSG.
Descriptive statistics for continuous data will be reported as the mean (standard deviation) or as the 
median (25th percentile, 75th percentile) if the distribution is not normally distributed. Descriptive 
statistics for categorical will be reported as a frequency and percentage. All hypothesis tests will be two-
sided and tested at a significance level of 0.05. All analyses will be conducted using SAS software, 
version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) or R software, version 3.3.3 (R Foundation for Statistical 
Computing, Vienna, Austria).
8.3.1.
Primary Endpoint Analysis
A Pearson’s chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact test if the expected cell counts are <5, will be used 
to compare the proportion of subjects with an ongoing pregnancy (for all pregnancies identified 
by 6 mos after Sono HSG) between the Lipiodol UF® and saline groups. A relative risk and 95% 
confidence interval will be used to quantify the effect size.
8.3.2.
Secondary Endpoint Analysis
A two-sample t-test will be used to compare the Lipiodol UF® to saline groups with respect to 
continuous outcomes, such as VAS scores, change in Ferti-QOL scores from baseline to 6 mos 
after Sono HSG, and anti-chlamydial antibody levels. The effect size from the two-sample t-tests 
will be quantified using the difference in means and 95% confidence interval. In the event the 
data do not meet parametric assumptions, the data will either be transformed (e.g., a 
logarithmic transformation) in order to satisfy parametric assumptions or a non-parametric 
Wilcoxon rank-sum test will be used to compare the treatment groups.
A Pearson’s chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact test if the expected cell counts are <5, will be used 
to compare the live birth proportions, as well as detectability (yes/no) for anti-chlamydial 
antibodies, between the Lipiodol UF® and saline groups. A relative risk and 95% confidence 
interval used to quantify the effect size.
9.0
Confidentiality, Privacy and Data Management 
See the Research Data Plan Review Form
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10.0 Data and Safety Monitoring Plan
10.1
Periodic evaluation of data
Adverse event reporting will be reviewed at regular research meetings led by Dr. Legro.   Annual reports 
will be made to the Penn State IRB as per the current protocol.
10.2
Data that are reviewed
The primary safety parameters we will collect are patient discomfort as determined by VAS scores, any 
serious sequelae to Sono HSG including allergic reactions, infection, development of adhesions, 
subsequent related surgeries or hospitalizations.
10.3
Method of collection of safety information
The occurrence of an AE or SAE may come to the attention of study personnel during study visits and 
interviews of a study participant presenting for medical care, or upon review by a study monitor, Allen 
Kunselman. All AEs will be captured on the appropriate CRF and include event description, time of onset, 
clinician’s assessment of severity, relationship to study product (assessed only by those with the training 
and authority to make a diagnosis), and time of resolution/stabilization of the event.  
10.4
Frequency of data collection
The PI will record all reportable events with start dates occurring any time after informed consent is 
obtained until 7 (for non-serious AEs) or 30 days (for SAEs) after the last day of study participation.  At 
each study visit, the investigator will inquire about the occurrence of AE/SAEs since the last visit. Events 
will be followed for outcome information until resolution or stabilization.
10.5
Individuals reviewing the data
The safety review will be performed by the Steering Committee.  The Steering Committee will be 
composed of the Study PI, Dr. Legro, participating co-investigators in the Division of Reproductive 
Endocrinology, the Biostatistician, Allen Kunselman, and the study coordinator.  The Steering Committee 
will meet in person regularly during the departmental research meeting to review progress and study 
issues.
10.6
Frequency of review of cumulative data
Annual reports will be made to the Penn State IRB as per the current protocol.  Data will also be 
monitored by the Public Health Sciences department periodically. 
10.7
Statistical tests
A Pearson’s chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact test if the expected cell counts are <5, will be used to 
compare each reported AE between the Lipiodol UF® and saline groups, provided there are sufficient 
AEs to obtain inference.
10.8
Suspension of research
This study may be temporarily suspended or prematurely terminated if there is sufficient reasonable 
cause. Written notification, documenting the reason for study suspension or termination, will be 
provided by the suspending or terminating party to Guerbet LLC, Princeton, NJ.  If the study is 
prematurely terminated or suspended, the PI will promptly inform the IRB and will provide the reason(s) 
for the termination or suspension.   Study may resume once concerns about safety, protocol 
compliance, data quality are addressed and satisfy the involved party (i.e. investigators, IRB, sponsors).  
There are no planned stopping rules as we are using an FDA approved contrast agent for its approved 
indication.
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11.0 Risks
The immediate risks of Lipiodol UF®  for HSG are lower than the other indicated uses, since the major risks are 
related to intravasation and associated anaphylactic and/or embolism events.  While there is evidence of 
intravasation during conventional fluoroscopic HSG(10), there has been only one case report of a cergral 
embolization event related to this, with a 12 day coma and ICU stay after HSG that resolved without sequelae. 
(11).  The immediate risks include discomfort or pain from the infusion into the uterine cavity, an anaphylactic or 
allergic reaction to Lipiodol UF®, and embolization after intravasation.  The long term risks include formation of 
granulomas and/or pelvic adhesions and late sequelae of intravastion.
There is a risk of loss of confidentiality if information is obtained by someone other than the investigators.  
Precautions will be taken to prevent this as described in Section 9. 
There is a risk that the questionnaires may make participant uncomfortable.
Risks of standard venipuncture include slight pinch or pin prick, discomfort, black and blue mark at the site of 
puncture, small blood clot, infection or bleeding at the site, and fainting during the procedure.
Risks associated with Sonohysterogram/Hysterosalpingogram include pain, bleeding, damage to the uterus, 
pelvic infection, interrupting an unrecognized pregnancy, small amount of radiation exposure, and allergic 
reaction to the radio-opaque dye.  
Risks associated with randomization. One treatment may be less effective or have more side effects than the 
other research treatment or other available treatments.
12.0 Potential Benefits to Subjects and Others
12.1
Potential Benefits to Subjects
There is no guarantee that subjects will benefit from this research.  The potential benefit is an increased 
chance for ongoing pregnancy and live birth for women desiring children who undergo the test.  
12.2
Potential Benefits to Others
The results of this research may guide the future practice of this test by establishing a more effective 
and tolerable procedure by using lipid based oil medium for sonographic based hysterosalpingography 
(Sono HSG) compared to water based contrast for women seeking fertility.
13.0 Sharing Results with Subjects
We will share the overall results of the study and the study agent assignment with all patients at study closure.
14.0 Subject Stipend (Compensation) and/or Travel Reimbursements
Participants who complete the FertiQol at final study contact, will receive a $10 gift card.  .
15.0 Economic Burden to Subjects
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15.1
Costs 
Participants will not be charged for the cost of any tests or procedures that are required as part of the 
research and are outside the standard of care including all study required blood tests and the lipid oil 
which will be provided by the sponsor at no cost.  Participants and/or their insurance companies will be 
responsible for costs of medical services for care they would receive even if they were not in this study 
including routine medications, tests and procedures, co-payments/co-insurance/deductibles.  Routine 
tests and procedures will be billed in the usual manner and participant will be responsible for any 
charges not reimbursed by their insurance company. 
15.2
Compensation for research-related injury
It is the policy of the institution to provide neither financial compensation nor free medical treatment 
for research-related injury. In the event of injury resulting from this research, medical treatment is 
available but will be provided at the usual charge. Costs for the treatment of research-related injuries 
will be charged to subjects or their insurance carriers.
16.0 Resources Available
16.1
Facilities and locations
Participant visits and Sono HSG will occur at the infertility clinic at 35 Hope Drive on the Hershey Medical 
Center campus. 
16.2
Feasibility of recruiting the required number of subjects
Patients will be recruited from the practice at Penn State Hershey by the investigators and study 
personnel.  We perform 10-15 Sono HSGs per month for fertility testing and it is anticipated that almost 
all patients will be eligible as the criteria for study inclusion overlap with our criteria for fertility testing.  
We project a high rate of recruitment of eligible patients into the trial.   However with a conservative 
estimate that 50% of patients undergoing Sono HSG for fertility testing opt to participate in the study we 
estimate 5-7 patients per month will be enrolled. Thus it will take conservatively 7-10 months to recruit 
the cohort and according to our best estimate, 6 months.  We do not anticipate difficulty in following 
patients since they will be receiving fertility treatment immediately after the Sono HSG through our 
practice.   
16.3
PI Time devoted to conducting the research
The PI is the Vice Chair of Research in the Department of OB/GYN and has one full day per week 
dedicated to research.
16.4
Availability of medical or psychological resources
Participants will be receiving routine care and infertility treatment. 
16.5
Process for informing Study Team
There are 2 weekly meetings within the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology attended by the 
physicians and research coordinators. One is dedicated entirely to research, and the other is dedicated 
to clinic. Research recruitment and updates are covered at both of these meetings.  Study coordinators 
are cross trained on the REI study protocols.
17.0 Other Approvals
17.1
Other Approvals from External Entities
Not Applicable
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17.2
Internal PSU Committee Approvals
Check all that apply:
  Anatomic Pathology – Hershey only – Research involves the collection of tissues or use of pathologic 
specimens. Upload a copy of HRP-902 - Human Tissue For Research Form on the “Supporting 
Documents” page in CATS IRB. This form is available in the CATS IRB Library.  
  Animal Care and Use – All campuses – Human research involves animals and humans or the use of 
human tissues in animals
  Biosafety – All campuses – Research involves biohazardous materials (human biological specimens 
in a PSU research lab, biological toxins, carcinogens, infectious agents, recombinant viruses or DNA 
or gene therapy).
X
  Clinical Laboratories – Hershey only – Collection, processing and/or storage of extra tubes of body 
fluid specimens for research purposes by the Clinical Laboratories; and/or use of body fluids that 
had been collected for clinical purposes, but are no longer needed for clinical use. Upload a copy of 
HRP-901 - Human Body Fluids for Research Form on the “Supporting Documents” page in CATS IRB. 
This form is available in the CATS IRB Library. 
  Clinical Research Center (CRC) Advisory Committee – All campuses – Research involves the use of 
CRC services in any way.
  Conflict of Interest Review – All campuses – Research has one or more of study team members 
indicated as having a financial interest.
 Radiation Safety – Hershey only – Research involves research-related radiation procedures. All 
research involving radiation procedures (standard of care and/or research-related) must upload a 
copy of HRP-903 - Radiation Review Form on the “Supporting Documents” page in CATS IRB. This 
form is available in the CATS IRB Library.
  IND/IDE Audit – All campuses – Research in which the PSU researcher holds the IND or IDE or 
intends to hold the IND or IDE.
  Scientific Review – Hershey only – All investigator-written research studies requiring review by the 
convened IRB must provide documentation of scientific review with the IRB submission. The 
scientific review requirement may be fulfilled by one of the following: (1) external peer-review 
process; (2) department/institute scientific review committee; or (3) scientific review by the Clinical 
Research Center Advisory committee.  NOTE: Review by the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute 
Scientific Review Committee is required if the study involves cancer prevention studies or cancer 
patients, records and/or tissues. For more information about this requirement see the IRB website 
at: http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/irb/home/resources/investigator 
18.0 Multi-Site Research
Not Applicable
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19.0 Adverse Event Reporting
19.1
Reporting Adverse Reactions and Unanticipated Problems to the Responsible IRB
In accordance with applicable policies of The Pennsylvania State University Institutional Review Board 
(IRB), the investigator will report, to the IRB, any observed or reported harm (adverse event) 
experienced by a subject or other individual, which in the opinion of the investigator is determined to be 
(1) unexpected; and (2) probably related to the research procedures. Harms (adverse events) will be 
submitted to the IRB in accordance with the IRB policies and procedures.
20.0 Study Monitoring, Auditing and Inspecting
20.1
Auditing and Inspecting
The investigator will permit study-related monitoring, audits, and inspections by the Penn State quality 
assurance program office(s), IRB, the sponsor, and government regulatory bodies, of all study related 
documents (e.g., source documents, regulatory documents, data collection instruments, study data 
etc.).  The investigator will ensure the capability for inspections of applicable study-related facilities 
(e.g., pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory, etc.).
21.0 Future Undetermined Research: Data and Specimen Banking
21.1
Data and/or specimens being stored
N/A
21.2
Location of storage
N/A
21.3
Duration of storage
N/A
21.4
Access to data and/or specimens
N/A
21.5
Procedures to release data or specimens
N/A
21.6
Process for returning results
N/A
22.0 References
1.
Mohiyiddeen L, Hardiman A, Fitzgerald C, Hughes E, Mol BW, Johnson N, Watson A. Tubal flushing for 
subfertility. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015:CD003718
2.
Vandekerckhove P, Watson A, Lilford R, Harada T, Hughes E. Oil-soluble versus water-soluble media for assessing 
tubal patency with hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy in subfertile women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 
2000:CD000092
3.
Watson A, Vandekerckhove P, Lilford R, Vail A, Brosens I, Hughes E. A meta-analysis of the therapeutic role of oil 
soluble contrast media at hysterosalpingography: a surprising result? Fertility and sterility 1994; 61:470-477
4.
Johnson NP, Farquhar CM, Hadden WE, Suckling J, Yu Y, Sadler L. The FLUSH trial--flushing with lipiodol for 
unexplained (and endometriosis-related) subfertility by hysterosalpingography: a randomized trial. Hum Reprod 
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2004; 19:2043-2051
5.
Court KA, Dare AJ, Weston-Webb M, Hadden WE, Sim RG, Johnson NP. Establishment of lipiodol as a fertility 
treatment - prospective study of the complete innovative treatment data set. The Australian & New Zealand 
journal of obstetrics & gynaecology 2014; 54:13-19
6.
Johnson NP, Kwok R, Stewart AW, Saththianathan M, Hadden WE, Chamley LW. Lipiodol fertility enhancement: 
two-year follow-up of a randomized trial suggests a transient benefit in endometriosis, but a sustained benefit in 
unexplained infertility. Hum Reprod 2007; 22:2857-2862
7.
Kamphuis EI, Bhattacharya S, van der Veen F, Mol BW, Templeton A, Evidence Based IVFG. Are we overusing 
IVF? BMJ 2014; 348:g252
8.
Hornstein MD. State of the ART: Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the United States. Reprod Sci 2016; 
23:1630-1633
9.
Steiner AZ, Diamond MP, Legro RS, Schlaff WD, Barnhart KT, Casson PR, Christman GM, Alvero R, Hansen KR, 
Geisler WM, Thomas T, Santoro N, Zhang H, Eisenberg E, Reproductive Medicine N. Chlamydia trachomatis 
immunoglobulin G3 seropositivity is a predictor of reproductive outcomes in infertile women with patent 
fallopian tubes. Fertility and sterility 2015; 104:1522-1526
10.
Nunley WC, Jr., Bateman BG, Kitchin JD, 3rd, Pope TL, Jr. Intravasation during hysterosalpingography using oil-
base contrast medium--a second look. Obstetrics and gynecology 1987; 70:309-312
11.
Dan U, Oelsner G, Gruberg L, Ezra D, Menczer J. Cerebral embolization and coma after hysterosalpingography 
with oil-soluble contrast medium. Fertility and sterility 1990; 53:939-940
12.
Boivin J, Takefman J, Braverman A. The fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool: development and general 
psychometric properties. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:2084-2091
13.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive M. Effectiveness and treatment for unexplained 
infertility. Fertility and sterility 2006; 86:S111-114
14.
Diamond MP, Legro RS, Coutifaris C, Alvero R, Robinson RD, Casson P, Christman GM, Ager J, Huang H, Hansen 
KR, Baker V, Usadi R, Seungdamrong A, Bates GW, Rosen RM, Haisenleder D, Krawetz SA, Barnhart K, Trussell JC, 
Ohl D, Jin Y, Santoro N, Eisenberg E, Zhang H, Network NRM. Letrozole, Gonadotropin, or Clomiphene for 
Unexplained Infertility. The New England journal of medicine 2015; 373:1230-1240
15.
Legro RS, Brzyski RG, Diamond MP, Coutifaris C, Schlaff WD, Casson P, Christman GM, Huang H, Yan Q, Alvero R, 
Haisenleder DJ, Barnhart KT, Bates GW, Usadi R, Lucidi S, Baker V, Trussell JC, Krawetz SA, Snyder P, Ohl D, 
Santoro N, Eisenberg E, Zhang H, Network NRM. Letrozole versus clomiphene for infertility in the polycystic 
ovary syndrome. The New England journal of medicine 2014; 371:119-129
16.
Teare MD, Dimairo M, Shephard N, Hayman A, Whitehead A, Walters SJ. Sample size requirements to estimate 
key design parameters from external pilot randomised controlled trials: a simulation study. Trials 2014; 15:264
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