Clinical trial NCT06956287: The Efficiency of a New Sperm-Wash Device for Intrauterine Insemination in Couples With Infertility
Official title: The Efficiency of a New Sperm-Wash Device for Intrauterine Insemination in Couples With Infertility
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Infertility
Male Infertility
Keywords: Infertility
intrauterine insemination (IUI)
artificial insemination husband
sperm selection
sperm DNA fragmentation
oxidative stress
fertility treatment
male infertility
Lead sponsor: Chung Shan Medical University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-04
Enrollment: 120
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 25
Maximum age (years): 50
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: This is a two-arm, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either sperm preparation using the novel sperm-wash device (LensHooke® CA0) or conventional density gradient centrifugation.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel sperm-wash device designed to improve outcomes in intrauterine insemination (IUI) for couples with infertility. Traditional sperm preparation methods, such as density gradient centrifugation (DGC), are associated with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased sperm DNA fragmentation, potentially compromising pregnancy rates. The new device aims to reduce these adverse effects by minimizing oxidative stress and preserving sperm DNA integrity.

In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 120 couples will be allocated to either the intervention group using the new device or the control group using DGC. The primary outcome is the clinical pregnancy rate, while secondary outcomes include sperm DNA fragmentation. The study hypothesizes that the novel device will result in higher pregnancy rates and reduced DNA fragmentation compared to DGC. These findings may support its use as a more physiological approach to sperm preparation in fertility treatment.

Detailed description: This is a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled clinical trial conducted at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital. The study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel sperm-wash device-LensHooke CA0-in couples with infertility undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). A total of 120 couples will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (LensHooke CA0) or the control group (DGC).

Sperm quality will be evaluated before and after processing, and IUI will be performed following standard clinical procedures. The primary outcome is the clinical pregnancy rate confirmed by ultrasound. The secondary outcome is the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), assessed using the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) test.

The study hypothesizes that the novel sperm-wash device will improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage compared to the conventional method. The trial aims to provide supporting evidence for a more physiological and efficient sperm selection strategy in assisted reproduction.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Males aged between 25 to 50 years.
* Part of a couple diagnosed with infertility.
* Undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment.
* Sperm concentration \>15 million/mL, progressive motility \>32%, and total motile sperm count \>40 million after wash.
* Willingness of both partners to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known female infertility factors requiring assisted reproductive technologies beyond IUI.
* Severe male factor infertility (e.g., oligoasthenoteratozoospermia).
* Use of donor sperm or oocyte.
* Chronic illness or medications affecting sperm quality.
* Prior participation in another clinical trial within the past 3 months.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Clinical Pregnancy Rate
timeFrame: Within 6 weeks after IUI
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI)
timeFrame: On the day of intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Taichung
country: Taiwan
facility: Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
state: Taichung City
Study officials:
affiliation: Chung Shan Medical University
name: Tsung-Hsien Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Hsu CT, Lee CI, Lin FS, Wang FZ, Chang HC, Wang TE, Huang CC, Tsao HM, Lee MS, Agarwal A. Live motile sperm sorting device for enhanced sperm-fertilization competency: comparative analysis with density-gradient centrifugation and microfluidic sperm sorting. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2023 Aug;40(8):1855-1864. doi: 10.1007/s10815-023-02838-4. Epub 2023 Jun 10.
citation: Osman A, Alsomait H, Seshadri S, El-Toukhy T, Khalaf Y. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on live birth rate after IVF or ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015 Feb;30(2):120-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.10.018. Epub 2014 Nov 13.
citation: Yang H, Li G, Jin H, Guo Y, Sun Y. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation index on assisted reproductive technology outcomes and its relationship with semen parameters and lifestyle. Transl Androl Urol. 2019 Aug;8(4):356-365. doi: 10.21037/tau.2019.06.22.
citation: Duong TND, Dang VQ, Le TK, Vu ATL, Nguyen DL, Pham TD, Nguyen MT, Nguyen PTM, Vo TM, Nguyen CTH, Le PTB, Le AH, Tran CT, Mol BW, Vuong LN, Ho TM. Swim-up versus density gradients for sperm preparation in infertile couples undergoing intrauterine insemination: a randomized clinical trial. Hum Reprod. 2025 May 1;40(5):788-795. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deaf047.
citation: Wright C, Milne S, Leeson H. Sperm DNA damage caused by oxidative stress: modifiable clinical, lifestyle and nutritional factors in male infertility. Reprod Biomed Online. 2014 Jun;28(6):684-703. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.02.004. Epub 2014 Mar 4.
citation: Wagner H, Cheng JW, Ko EY. Role of reactive oxygen species in male infertility: An updated review of literature. Arab J Urol. 2017 Dec 8;16(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.aju.2017.11.001. eCollection 2018 Mar.
citation: Sadeghi MR. Unexplained infertility, the controversial matter in management of infertile couples. J Reprod Infertil. 2015 Jan-Mar;16(1):1-2. No abstract available.
citation: Juanpanich T, Suttirojpattana T, Parnpai R, Vutyavanich T. The relationship between reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation, and sperm parameters in human sperm using simplified sucrose vitrification with or without triple antioxidant supplementation. Clin Exp Reprod Med. 2022 Jun;49(2):117-126. doi: 10.5653/cerm.2021.05120. Epub 2022 May 30.
citation: Gelbaya TA, Potdar N, Jeve YB, Nardo LG. Definition and epidemiology of unexplained infertility. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2014 Feb;69(2):109-15. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000000043.
citation: Duran EH, Morshedi M, Taylor S, Oehninger S. Sperm DNA quality predicts intrauterine insemination outcome: a prospective cohort study. Hum Reprod. 2002 Dec;17(12):3122-8. doi: 10.1093/humrep/17.12.3122.