InfertilityPhase 3NCT02461173
Stimulated Intrauterine Insemination Cycles and Unstimulated Intrauterine Insemination Cycles in Couples With Unexplained Infertility
A Phase 3 study testing Merional, IUI and Ovulation detection in people with Infertility, run by Cairo University at 2 sites in Egypt.
Trial summary
Four hundred and fifty women with unexplained infertility will be divided into 3 equal groups using computer generated random numbers: Group 1 will have up to 4 stimulated IUI cycles, group 2 will have up to 4 unstimulated cycles, women who do not become pregnant after the 4 cycles in groups 1 and 2 will be advised to… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 40 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Infertility
- What is being tested?
- Merional, IUI and Ovulation detection
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Medical device, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 450 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesEgypt
- Study dates
- Jun 2015to May 2017
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 40 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Unexplained infertility
Who cannot join
- Known allergy to FSH
- Diabetes, hypertension, known cardiac, renal or liver disease.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
Egypt2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
BeniSuef University hospitals
BeniSuef
Nesreen AA Shehata, MD, +2001227866337, nesoomar@yahoo.com
Nesreen Shehata, Md
- Recruiting
Cairo university hospitals
Cairo
AbdelGany Hassan, MRCOG, MD, 002 01017801604, abdelgany2@gmail.com
AbdelGany MA Hassan, MRCOG, MD
About this study
Official title: Comparison Between Stimulated Intrauterine Insemination Cycles and Unstimulated Intrauterine Insemination Cycles in Couples With Unexplained Infertility
Four hundred and fifty women with unexplained infertility will be divided into 3 equal groups using computer generated random numbers: Group 1 will have up to 4 stimulated IUI cycles, group 2 will have up to 4 unstimulated cycles, women who do not become pregnant after the 4 cycles in groups 1 and 2 will be advised to have regular intercourse at the expected time of ovulation. Group 3 will be the control group will be advised to have regular sexual intercourse at the time of ovulation for 6 months
Read the detailed description
Unexplained infertility is a common diagnosis encountered in the subfertility clinic; about 15-30% of infertile couples will be diagnosed as having unexplained infertility. Couples are usually diagnosed as having unexplained infertility if the woman has ovulatory cycles, patent tubes and the spouse has a normal semen analysis according to the world health organisation criteria.
In the absence of an organic abnormality or a clear functional defect, couples with unexplained infertility have been subjected to several empirical treatments including intra-uterine insemination (IUI). The application of ovarian stimulation in IUI is advocated, even if the woman has ovulatory cycles, to improve the pregnancy rates with IUI. However, the application of ovarian stimulation has two main drawbacks: The increased chances of a multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. To avoid these complications unstimulated IUI cycles have been investigated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the role of stimulated and unstimulated IUI cycles in the management of unexplained infertility.
The study will be conducted in Cairo university hospitals and BeniSuef University hospitals All patients with unexplained infertility attending both sites will be invited to participate in the study. The study will be explained and only couples who sign written consents will be included in the study.
Four hundred and fifty women with unexplained infertility will be divided into 3 equal groups using computer generated random numbers: Group 1 will have up to 4 stimulated IUI cycles, group 2 will have up to 4 unstimulated cycles, women who do not become pregnant after the 4 cycles in groups 1 and 2 will be advised to have regular intercourse at the expected time of ovulation. Group 3 will be the control group will be advised to have regular sexual intercourse at the time of ovulation for 6 months On the 3rd day of menstruation group 1 will have a vaginal ultrasound and will receive daily intramuscular 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG, Merional ®, IBSA, Lugano, Switzerland) starting from the 3nd day of menstruation. On day 8 the ultrasound will be repeated and serum E2 will be measured, hMG dose will be adjusted and continued and the frequency of ultrasound scans will be individualized. HMG will be stopped when at least 2 follicles measuring 18 mm are associated with serum E2 of 500-3000 Pg/mL, this was followed by the administration of 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; Choriomon®, IBSA) Women in group 2 will be asked to test their morning urine specimen for luteinizing hormone daily starting 4 days before the expected day of ovulation. This will be done using a qualitative kit. Intrauterine insemination will be performed on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone.
Women in group 3 will be asked to test their urine for luteinizing hormone by the same method as group 2. They will be asked to have an intercourse on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone and this will be repeated for 12 months.
Semen specimens for groups 1 and 2 will be evaluated and prepared for IUI within one hour after collection. Semen will be diluted 1:2 (vol/vol) with HEPES-buffered Ham's F10 medium containing 1.5 percent serum albumin. After centrifugation for 10 minutes, the pellets will be resuspended and combined in 3 ml of the medium.
The sperm suspension will be centrifuged for 10 minutes, and the pellet was resuspended in 0.35 ml of medium. Approximately 0.05 ml will be used to determine the concentration and motility of sperms. The remaining sample will be drawn into a shepherd catheter attached to a 1 mL syringe and injected into the uterus.
The procedure will be repeated for up to 4 months in groups 1 and 2, if pregnancy does not occur. Women who do not conceive after the 4 trials will be asked to check their urine for luteinizing hormone using the ovulation detection kits and have an intercourse on the day following the luteinizing hormone surge. This will be repeated for 8 months.
The pregnancy rates of the 3 groups will be compared after the 4 months and after one year.
- Conditions
- Infertility
- Being tested
- Merional, IUI, Ovulation detection, Choriomon, shepherd catheter
- Medical subject headings
- Infertility
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MerionalDrug
On the 3rd day of menstruation women will have a vaginal ultrasound and will receive daily intramuscular 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG, Merional ®, IBSA, Lugano, Switzerland) starting from the 3nd day of menstruation.
IUIProcedure or surgery
Semen will be processed and drawn into a shepherd catheter attached to a 1 mL syringe and injected into the uterus
Ovulation detectionProcedure or surgery
Women will be asked to test their morning urine specimen for luteinizing hormone daily starting 4 days before the expected day of ovulation. This will be done using a qualitative kit
ChoriomonDrug
Administration of 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; Choriomon®, IBSA) when at least 2 follicles measuring 18 mm are observed during vaginal ultrasound and is associated with serum E2 of 500-3000 Pg/mL
shepherd catheterDevice
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulated IUI | Active comparator | On the 3rd day of menstruation women in group 1 will have a vaginal ultrasound and will receive daily intramuscular 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropins starting from the 3nd day of menstruation. On day 8 the ultrasound will be repeated and serum E2 will be measured, hMG dose will be adjusted and continued and the frequency of ultrasound scans will be individualized. HMG will be stopped when at least 2 follicles measuring 18 mm are associated with serum E2 of 500-3000 Pg/mL, this was followed by the administration of 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin Receives: Drug: Merional; Procedure: IUI; Drug: Choriomon; Device: shepherd catheter |
| Unstimulated IUI | Active comparator | Women in group 2 will be asked to test their morning urine specimen for luteinizing hormone daily starting 4 days before the expected day of ovulation. This will be done using a qualitative kit. IUI will be performed on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone. Receives: Procedure: IUI; Procedure: Ovulation detection; Device: shepherd catheter |
| Control group | Active comparator | Women will be asked to test their urine for luteinizing hormone by the same method as group 2. They will be asked to have an intercourse on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone and this will be repeated for 12 months. Receives: Procedure: Ovulation detection |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of participants with ongoing pregnancy
confirmation of a viable pregnancy by detecting fetal heart beat during abdominal ultrasound examination
Measured: 12 weeks after IUI or timed sexual intercourse
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Jun 2015 (estimated)
- Study startJun 2015
- Primary completionMay 2017 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for InfertilityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 450 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, AbdelGany Hassan, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02461173
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- sub 10
- Status last verified
- Jul 2016
- First submitted
- 29 May 2015
- Last updated
- 29 Jul 2016
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Brandes M, Hamilton CJ, van der Steen JO, de Bruin JP, Bots RS, Nelen WL, Kremer JA. Unexplained infertility: overall ongoing pregnancy rate and mode of conception. Hum Reprod. 2011 Feb;26(2):360-8. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deq349. Epub 2010 Dec 16.
PubMed 21163857Cooper TG, Noonan E, von Eckardstein S, Auger J, Baker HW, Behre HM, Haugen TB, Kruger T, Wang C, Mbizvo MT, Vogelsong KM. World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics. Hum Reprod Update. 2010 May-Jun;16(3):231-45. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmp048. Epub 2009 Nov 24.
PubMed 19934213Quintero RB, Urban R, Lathi RB, Westphal LM, Dahan MH. A comparison of letrozole to gonadotropins for ovulation induction, in subjects who failed to conceive with clomiphene citrate. Fertil Steril. 2007 Oct;88(4):879-85. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.166.
PubMed 17920403
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Jul 2016. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison Between Stimulated Intrauterine Insemination Cycles and Unstimulated Intrauterine Insemination Cycles in Couples With Unexplained Infertility
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02461173
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- sub 10
- Conditions
- Infertility
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 450 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2015
- Primary completion
- May 2017 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Jun 2015 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Four hundred and fifty women with unexplained infertility will be divided into 3 equal groups using computer generated random numbers: Group 1 will have up to 4 stimulated IUI cycles, group 2 will have up to 4 unstimulated cycles, women who do not become pregnant after the 4 cycles in groups 1 and 2 will be advised to have regular intercourse at the expected time of ovulation. Group 3 will be the control group will be advised to have regular sexual intercourse at the time of ovulation for 6 months
Detailed description
Unexplained infertility is a common diagnosis encountered in the subfertility clinic; about 15-30% of infertile couples will be diagnosed as having unexplained infertility. Couples are usually diagnosed as having unexplained infertility if the woman has ovulatory cycles, patent tubes and the spouse has a normal semen analysis according to the world health organisation criteria.
In the absence of an organic abnormality or a clear functional defect, couples with unexplained infertility have been subjected to several empirical treatments including intra-uterine insemination (IUI). The application of ovarian stimulation in IUI is advocated, even if the woman has ovulatory cycles, to improve the pregnancy rates with IUI. However, the application of ovarian stimulation has two main drawbacks: The increased chances of a multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. To avoid these complications unstimulated IUI cycles have been investigated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the role of stimulated and unstimulated IUI cycles in the management of unexplained infertility.
The study will be conducted in Cairo university hospitals and BeniSuef University hospitals All patients with unexplained infertility attending both sites will be invited to participate in the study. The study will be explained and only couples who sign written consents will be included in the study.
Four hundred and fifty women with unexplained infertility will be divided into 3 equal groups using computer generated random numbers: Group 1 will have up to 4 stimulated IUI cycles, group 2 will have up to 4 unstimulated cycles, women who do not become pregnant after the 4 cycles in groups 1 and 2 will be advised to have regular intercourse at the expected time of ovulation. Group 3 will be the control group will be advised to have regular sexual intercourse at the time of ovulation for 6 months On the 3rd day of menstruation group 1 will have a vaginal ultrasound and will receive daily intramuscular 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG, Merional ®, IBSA, Lugano, Switzerland) starting from the 3nd day of menstruation. On day 8 the ultrasound will be repeated and serum E2 will be measured, hMG dose will be adjusted and continued and the frequency of ultrasound scans will be individualized. HMG will be stopped when at least 2 follicles measuring 18 mm are associated with serum E2 of 500-3000 Pg/mL, this was followed by the administration of 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; Choriomon®, IBSA) Women in group 2 will be asked to test their morning urine specimen for luteinizing hormone daily starting 4 days before the expected day of ovulation. This will be done using a qualitative kit. Intrauterine insemination will be performed on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone.
Women in group 3 will be asked to test their urine for luteinizing hormone by the same method as group 2. They will be asked to have an intercourse on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone and this will be repeated for 12 months.
Semen specimens for groups 1 and 2 will be evaluated and prepared for IUI within one hour after collection. Semen will be diluted 1:2 (vol/vol) with HEPES-buffered Ham's F10 medium containing 1.5 percent serum albumin. After centrifugation for 10 minutes, the pellets will be resuspended and combined in 3 ml of the medium.
The sperm suspension will be centrifuged for 10 minutes, and the pellet was resuspended in 0.35 ml of medium. Approximately 0.05 ml will be used to determine the concentration and motility of sperms. The remaining sample will be drawn into a shepherd catheter attached to a 1 mL syringe and injected into the uterus.
The procedure will be repeated for up to 4 months in groups 1 and 2, if pregnancy does not occur. Women who do not conceive after the 4 trials will be asked to check their urine for luteinizing hormone using the ovulation detection kits and have an intercourse on the day following the luteinizing hormone surge. This will be repeated for 8 months.
The pregnancy rates of the 3 groups will be compared after the 4 months and after one year.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulated IUI | Active comparator | Drug: Merional, Procedure: IUI, Drug: Choriomon, Device: shepherd catheterOn the 3rd day of menstruation women in group 1 will have a vaginal ultrasound and will receive daily intramuscular 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropins starting from the 3nd day of menstruation. On day 8 the ultrasound will be repeated and serum E2 will be measured, hMG dose will be adjusted and continued and the frequency of ultrasound scans will be individualized. HMG will be stopped when at least 2 follicles measuring 18 mm are associated with serum E2 of 500-3000 Pg/mL, this was followed by the administration of 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin |
| Unstimulated IUI | Active comparator | Procedure: IUI, Procedure: Ovulation detection, Device: shepherd catheterWomen in group 2 will be asked to test their morning urine specimen for luteinizing hormone daily starting 4 days before the expected day of ovulation. This will be done using a qualitative kit. IUI will be performed on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone. |
| Control group | Active comparator | Procedure: Ovulation detectionWomen will be asked to test their urine for luteinizing hormone by the same method as group 2. They will be asked to have an intercourse on the day after the surge in urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone and this will be repeated for 12 months. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Unexplained infertility
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Known allergy to FSH
- Diabetes, hypertension, known cardiac, renal or liver disease.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MerionalOn the 3rd day of menstruation women will have a vaginal ultrasound and will receive daily intramuscular 150 IU of human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG, Merional ®, IBSA, Lugano, Switzerland) starting from the 3nd day of menstruation. | Drug | Stimulated IUI |
| IUISemen will be processed and drawn into a shepherd catheter attached to a 1 mL syringe and injected into the uterus | Procedure or surgery | Stimulated IUI, Unstimulated IUI |
| Ovulation detectionWomen will be asked to test their morning urine specimen for luteinizing hormone daily starting 4 days before the expected day of ovulation. This will be done using a qualitative kit | Procedure or surgery | Control group, Unstimulated IUI |
| ChoriomonAdministration of 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; Choriomon®, IBSA) when at least 2 follicles measuring 18 mm are observed during vaginal ultrasound and is associated with serum E2 of 500-3000 Pg/mL | Drug | Stimulated IUI |
| shepherd catheter | Device | Stimulated IUI, Unstimulated IUI |
Primary outcome
Number of participants with ongoing pregnancy
Time frame: 12 weeks after IUI or timed sexual intercourse
confirmation of a viable pregnancy by detecting fetal heart beat during abdominal ultrasound examination
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Jul 2016.
- Background: PubMed 21163857Brandes M, Hamilton CJ, van der Steen JO, de Bruin JP, Bots RS, Nelen WL, Kremer JA. Unexplained infertility: overall ongoing pregnancy rate and mode of conception. Hum Reprod. 2011 Feb;26(2):360-8. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deq349. Epub 2010 Dec 16.
- Background: PubMed 19934213Cooper TG, Noonan E, von Eckardstein S, Auger J, Baker HW, Behre HM, Haugen TB, Kruger T, Wang C, Mbizvo MT, Vogelsong KM. World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics. Hum Reprod Update. 2010 May-Jun;16(3):231-45. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmp048. Epub 2009 Nov 24.
- Background: PubMed 17920403Quintero RB, Urban R, Lathi RB, Westphal LM, Dahan MH. A comparison of letrozole to gonadotropins for ovulation induction, in subjects who failed to conceive with clomiphene citrate. Fertil Steril. 2007 Oct;88(4):879-85. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.166.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing Merional, IUI and Ovulation detection in people with Infertility, run by Cairo University at 2 sites in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jul 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of participants with ongoing pregnancy (time frame: 12 weeks after IUI or timed sexual intercourse). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02461173, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Jul 2016.