Effect of Fasting on ICSI Outcomes in Poor Responders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at the In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF) center of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Kasr El-Ainy Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt, from October 2018 to September 2019, to determine the clinical effect of fasting on ICSI outcomes in poor responders 360 participants will be randomized withdrawing closed envelopes for each patient into group A and group B . Group (A): patients will have periodic fasting for 4 weeks prior to the treatment cycle. The fasting method involves daily fasts of 14-16hours and restrict eating to an 8-10 hour eating window as 2-3 or more meals of balanced diet. Group (B): no fasting, patients will have usual balanced diet as 3 meals and 2 snacks all over the day. Both groups should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily (2-3 liters). All patients will start the ICSI cycle using the same treatment protocol. Primary outcome is clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. Secondary outcomes include Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR), fasting insulin , fasting plasma glucose, Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, lipid profile ( Triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, High density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low density Lipoprotein (LDL), AntiMullerian Hormone (AMH), Basal Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Estradiol (E2, Days of stimulation , dose of gonadotrophins, number of M II oocytes retrieved, number of grade1and 2 embryos, number of frozen embryos, freeze all cycles, Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), Chemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy, twins, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, preterm labour, live birth rate

Detailed Description
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This study is a prospective, single-blinded (to the outcomes assessor), randomized controlled trial conducted at the In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF) center of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Kasr El-Ainy Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt, from October 2018 to September 2019, to determine the clinical effect of fasting on ICSI outcomes in poor responder patients. Ethical committee approval was obtained. The study will include 360 infertile patients with poor ovarian reserve (POR )diagnosed by low Antral follicle count (AFC)( less than 5 follicles), Elevated basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (more than 10 IU/mL) and low anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)(less than 1.5 ng/ml), previous POR (≤three oocytes with a conventional stimulation protocol). Women with diabetes, thyroid disorder or other endocrine dysfunctions, uterine abnormalities were excluded.Also severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia or azospermia are excluded. All patients are informed about the study and consent is given by those who accept to participate. Careful history taking include infertility type, duration , cause, obstetric history, medical and surgical history and demographic distribution is taken. Full physical examination and 2 dimensional (2D) transvaginal sonography (TVS) are done on day 2 to 5 of menses to assess antral follicle count, uterus and adnexa . Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) are calculated, Blood samples are taken for fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile ( Triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, High density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low density Lipoprotein (LDL),AntiMullerian Hormone (AMH), Basal Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Estradiol (E2) All 360 participants will be randomized withdrawing closed envelopes for each patient into group A and group B . Group (A): patients will have periodic fasting for 4 weeks prior to the treatment cycle. The fasting method involves daily fasts of 14-16hours and restrict eating to an 8-10 hour eating window as 2-3 or more meals of balanced diet. Group (B): no fasting, patients will have usual balanced diet as 3 meals and 2 snacks all over the day. Both groups should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily (2-3 liters) Subjects are instructed to wait for spontaneous menses. The next visit is scheduled on day 2 of next cycle when transvaginal ultrasound is done to confirm that endometrial thickness <5mm, no ovarian cyst by ultrasound. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) are calculated. Blood samples are taken for fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile ( Triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, High density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low density Lipoprotein (LDL), AntiMullerian Hormone (AMH), Basal Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Estradiol (E2),and then antagonist protocol is followed. Gonadotropins as Intramuscular (I.M.) injections of 150-300 (International units) I.U. of highly purified Human Menopausal Gonadotropins daily (Merional, 75 I.U. /vial, IBSA). and Urofollitropin or highly purified human follicle stimulating hormone(Fostimon®, 75 I.U. /vial, IBSA) are give in a ratio of 1:1.The dose is adjusted according to the age, BMI, Antral follicle count (AFC), serum levels of AMH, FSH and ovarian response. On the sixth day of stimulation , a visit is scheduled to assess the ovarian response ( folliculometry) by TVS. Gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH antagonist) which is Cetrorelix 0.25mg ( Cetrotide®, 0.25 mg/ vial, Merck Serono, is filled and mixed with diluent from a prefilled syringe with a 20 gauge needle) is given subcutaneously (S.C.) by 27-gauge needle starting from the 6th day of stimulation (fixed antagonist protocol). Next visits are every other day for follow up using the TVS. The trigger by Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG)10000 I.U., I.M. ( Pregnyl, Organon) is given when at least 3 follicles reach 18mm in mean diameter or more and E2 level is less than 2500 pg/ml. Ovum retrieval is done 34 hours after HCG injection and embryo transfer using Wallace catheter on day 2 to 3. Luteal support includes natural Progesterone 400 mg 1x2 as rectal suppository, Folic acid 0.5 mg orally once daily, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid 1gm 1x2x7 orally, Progesterone 100 I.M. injections daily for 10 days, Acetylsalicylic Acid (75 mg) orally once daily Quantitative ß- HCG in serum after is done after 14 days of embryo transfer.TVS is performed to detect clinical pregnancy at 6-7 weeks of gestation. Primary outcome is clinical pregnancy rate per cycle. Secondary outcomes include Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR), fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile ( Triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, High density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low density Lipoprotein (LDL), AntiMullerian Hormone (AMH), Basal Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Estradiol (E2, Days of stimulation , dose of gonadotrophins, number of M II oocytes retrieved, number of grade1and 2 embryos, number of frozen embryos, freeze all cycles, Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), Chemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy, twins, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, preterm labour, live birth rate

Official Title
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Effect of Fasting on ICSI Outcomes in Poor Responders

Conditions
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Infertility

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Fasting
* Behavioral: No fasting


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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The study will include: infertile patients with poor ovarian reserve (POR )diagnosed by low Antral follicle count (AFC)( less than 5 follicles), Elevated basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (more than 10 IU/mL) and low anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)(less than 1.5 ng/ml), previous POR (≤three oocytes with a conventional stimulation protocol). Women with diabetes, thyroid disorder or other endocrine dysfunctions, uterine abnormalities were excluded.Also severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia or azospermia are excluded.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Fasting group<br>Patients will have periodic fasting for 4 weeks prior to the treatment cycle. The fasting method involves daily fasts of 14-16hours and restrict eating to an 8-10 hour eating window as 2-3 or more meals of balanced diet. They should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily (2-3 liters) | Behavioral: Fasting<br>* Periodic fasting last for 4weeks prior to the treatment cycle. The fasting method involves daily fasts of 14-16hours and restrict eating to an 8-10 hour eating window as 2-3 or more meals of balanced diet. Patients should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily (2-3 liters).<br>* Other names: Periodic fasting;|
| Other: Non fasting group<br>no fasting, patients will have usual balanced diet as 3 meals and 2 snacks all over the day. They should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily (2-3 liters) | Behavioral: No fasting<br>* Patients will not fast . But they will take balanced food and drink 2 to 3 liters of water and non caloric drinks all the day for 4 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| clinical pregnancy rate per cycle | detection of gestationalsac, embryonal pole and fetal pulsations by ultrasonography | 10 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body mass index | The weight in kilograms divided by the squared height in meters | 4 weeks of fasting | 
| Waist/Hip ratio | The ratio of waist circumference in centimeters to the hip circumference in centimeters | 4 weeks of fasting | 
| Number of days of stimulation with gonadotrophins | Days of stimulation with gonadotrophins | 6 weeks | 
| Number of ampoules of gonadotrophins | total number of ampoules of gonadotrophins | 6 weeks | 
| number of M II oocytes retrieved | number of M II oocytes retrieved | 6 weeks | 
| number of grade1and 2 embryos | number of grade1and 2 embryos | 6-7 weeks | 
| number of frozen embryos | number of frozen embryos | 6-7 weeks | 
| number of freeze all cycles | total number of freeze all cycles | 6 weeks | 
| number of cancelled cycles | total number of cancelled cycles | 6 weeks | 
| Rate of chemical pregnancy rate | number of cases with positive pregnancy test with no clinical pregnancy | 10 weeks | 
| Rate of twin pregnancy | presence of two gestational sacs detected by ultrasonography | 10 weeks | 
| Rate of abortion per cycle | number of abortions clinically detected per cycle | 10-24 weeks after embryo transfer | 
| Rate of ectopic pregnancy | the presence of gestational sac outside the uterine cavity detected by ultrasound | 10 weeks | 
| Rate of preterm labour | labour after 20 weeks of gestation and before completed 37 weeks of gestation | After 24 weeks of start of study | 
| live birth rate | live birth rate | After40 weeks of start of study | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Infertility, Poor ovarian reserve, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, fasting