Clinical trial NCT02570386: Clinical Effectiveness of Frozen Thawed Embryo Transfer Compared to Fresh Embryo Transfer
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Clinical Effectiveness of Freezing All Embryos Followed by Frozen Thawed Embryo Transfer Compared to Fresh Embryo Transfer, in Women Undergoing In-vitro Fertilization Treatment
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: TERMINATED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Subfertility
Keywords: In-vitro fertilization
frozen thawed embryo transfer
fresh embryo transfer
Lead sponsor: The University of Hong Kong
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Peking University Third Hospital
name: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
name: Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University
First posted: 2015-10-07
Enrollment: 138
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 42
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The objective of the present randomized controlled study is to compare clinical effectiveness and safety of freezing all embryos followed by frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) compared to fresh embryo transfer, in women undergoing IVF treatment.

Detailed description: A total of 800 infertile women undergoing IVF treatment will be randomized into one of the following two groups by computer-generated random numbers:

Fresh embryo transfer group: a single fresh embryo transfer FET group: a single FET following freezing of all embryos in the stimulated IVF cycle

All techniques of IVF including ovarian stimulation, harvesting of oocytes, insemination with specially prepared sperm and embryo culture in the laboratory will be according to local protocols. Once the embryos have been cultured up to day 2 or 3, women with 3 or more suitable quality embryos will be randomized to either fresh embryo transfer (control arm) or FET (Intervention arm).

Control arm Women allocated to the control arm will either undergo embryo transfer at cleavage stage or extended culture and transfer at blastocyst stage according to local policy. A maximum of 2 embryos or blastocysts will be replaced according to the standard protocol under transabdominal ultrasound guidance. Luteal phase support is given according to local protocols.

Intervention arm For those allocated to the intervention arm fresh embryo transfer will not be undertaken. Embryos will be frozen by vitrification or slow freezing at cleavage or blastocyst stage according to standard agreed local protocols. Women will be contacted after 4 weeks and arrangements made for frozen embryo transfer.

After at least 4 weeks women will attend the IVF clinic for the transfer of thawed frozen embryos, either in a natural cycle (in ovulatory women who have regular menstrual cycles) or in a hormonally supported cycle using physiological doses of estrogen and progestogens to mimic normal cyclical changes within the endometrium. The choice between replacing frozen-thawed embryos in a natural or hormonally mediated cycle will be a decision driven by the clinical circumstances.

Embryos or blastocysts will be thawed according to local protocols. The transfer is performed by the team clinician with a maximum of 2 embryos or blastocysts being replaced according to the standard protocol under transabdominal ultrasound guidance. Luteal phase support is given at the discretion of the physician.

Follow up strategy:

A pregnancy test will be carried out 2 weeks after embryo transfer in both arms. All women who have a positive pregnancy test 2 weeks after embryo transfer will undergo a transvaginal ultrasound scan to identify the presence and number of a gestation sac with a fetal heart signifying an ongoing pregnancy. Pelvic scan will be repeated at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 36 gestation for fetal growth.

Data on all pregnancy outcomes including early pregnancy losses such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy will be collected.

In order to achieve consistency with respect to the collection of outcome, standardised case report forms (CRF) will be completed for each woman at each centre. These CRFs will include details on treatment received, pregnancy outcomes, complications in pregnancy, mode of delivery and birth outcomes.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Women under 42 years of age
* Presence of at least 3 embryos suitable to freeze on day 2 or 3 following fertilisation based on the centre's criteria
* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Women using donor eggs/donor sperm
* Women undergoing preimplantation genetic diagnosis
* Women with abnormal uterine cavity shown on hysterosalpingogram or saline infusion sonogram
* Women with hydrosalpinges shown on scanning and not corrected treated
* Women with excessive ovarian response at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation where elective freeze is already planned
* Women with serum progesterone level on day of human chorionic gonadotrophin\>1.5ng/ml or 5 nmol/L
* Women whose embryos have not survived freeze-thawing in the past
* Fresh transfer is planned e.g. patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis who have received prolonged downregulation
* Only frozen transfer is planned e.g. patients receiving ovarian stimulation regimens which may have adverse impacts on the endometrium

Primary outcomes:
measure: Live birth rate
timeFrame: up to 24 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Miscarriage rate
timeFrame: up to 24 weeks
measure: Clinical pregnancy rates
timeFrame: up to 24 weeks
measure: Ovarian hyperstimulation rate
timeFrame: about 1 month
measure: Failure of embryos to survive after thawing (per embryo thawed)
timeFrame: around 6 months
measure: Cumulative live birth within 6 months of ovarian stimulation
timeFrame: up to 24 weeks
measure: Complications of pregnancy
timeFrame: around 1 years
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Hong Kong
country: China
facility: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
state: Hong Kong
Study officials:
affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong
name: Ernest HY Ng, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Zaat T, Zagers M, Mol F, Goddijn M, van Wely M, Mastenbroek S. Fresh versus frozen embryo transfers in assisted reproduction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Feb 4;2(2):CD011184. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011184.pub3.