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FertilityPhase 4NCT02969590

Regulation of Cervical Mucus Secretion

A Phase 4 study testing Leuprolide acetate, Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement and Progestin in people with Fertility and Contraception, run by Oregon Health and Science University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to help us determine how hormones impact the production of cervical mucus which is a fluid secreted by the opening of the uterus, also called the cervix. During a normal menstrual cycle, cervical mucus changes in response to two hormones that the ovaries make: estrogen and progesterone. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 21 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Fertility, Contraception
What is being tested?
Leuprolide acetate, Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement and Progestin
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
5 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
29 Mar 2015to 23 Aug 2017
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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 21 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Normal menstrual cycles of 25-35 days in length for at least previous 3 cycles
  • 21-40 years of age
  • BMI >18, <30
  • Serum P4 ≥ 3 ng/ml on single sample collected between days 18-25 of self-reported menstrual cycle
  • Flexible schedule allowing morning blood draws on less than 48 hour notice
  • In good general health
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  • Commit to remain on stable diet during study period (no changes to normal dietary habits)
  • Commit to using non-hormonal contraceptive methods during study period except those prescribed in the experimental protocol
  • No objections to taking study drugs
  • No objections to refraining from intercourse the night before any sampling and willing to using condoms during vaginal intercourse.

Who cannot join

  • Oral contraceptive use or other hormone supplement within the preceding 2 months
  • Women with current cervical infection
  • Evidence of abnormal cervical cytology
  • Use of Paragard IUD for contraception
  • Long-acting hormonal contraceptive use in the past 12 months (e.g., Depo-Provera®)
  • Contraindications to study drugs
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  • Current or past pregnancy within the previous 6 months or currently trying to conceive
  • Desiring to conceive in the next 8 months
  • Breastfeeding in the past 2 months
  • Diagnosed Diabetes or Metabolic Syndrome
  • Current or previous use of cholesterol lowering drugs within the preceding 12 months
  • Diagnosed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • History of, or self-reported, substance abuse
  • Smoker
  • Previous infertility treatment excluding male factor issues
  • Use of an investigational drug within the past 2 months
  • History of excisional or ablative treatment procedure on cervix (ie. LEEP, Cryotherapy, Cold Knife Cone)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Oregon Health & Science University

    Portland, Oregon, 97239

Other trials in United States

About this study

The purpose of this study is to help us determine how hormones impact the production of cervical mucus which is a fluid secreted by the opening of the uterus, also called the cervix. During a normal menstrual cycle, cervical mucus changes in response to two hormones that the ovaries make: estrogen and progesterone. Many of the birth control methods women use thicken mucus and make it less likely for sperm to enter the uterus. The goal of this study is to better understand the effects estrogen and progesterone have on the cervical mucus in the body. To do this, the investigators will be using a drug that suppresses natural hormone production for 3 months. Estrogen and progesterone will be artificially replaced to better understand their effects. The investigators will also be studying the effect of a common birth control pill that may work by thickening cervical mucus. Last, the investigators will study some of the cells in the cervix that produce mucus.

Read the detailed description

This proposed study is to evaluate the temporal changes in human cervical mucus in response to progesterone and progestins as an initial step toward clarifying these relationships. Our hypothesis is that direct effects of progesterone on the endocervix, independent of estrogen withdrawal, cause contraceptive changes to cervical mucus. To study this, a randomized, prospective, crossover study will be conducted by examining cervical mucus changes in a small cohort of women in whom investigators will suppress circulating hormonal levels by administering a GnRH antagonist. Investigators will then artificially replace Estrogen and Progesterone in order to differentiate their effects on clinical and laboratory measurements of mucus quality. The investigators will be looking closely at the immediate changes in mucus when .35 mg of norethindrone, a marketed drug is administered in this experimental setting. Cervical cell samples will also be collected at various time points and perform RT-PCR to determine whether genes for membrane bound progesterone receptor are expressed and regulated by Estrogen and Progesterone.

Being tested
Leuprolide acetate, Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement, Progestin
Keywords
Contraception, Mucus, Cervix, progestin, hormones

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Leuprolide acetateDrug

    Also called Lupron

    Following this spontaneous cycle, participants received a single intramuscular injection of leuprolide acetate (11.25mg, LupronVR; Abbvie, Chicago, IL), a dose documented to suppress ovarian function for at least 3 months. Ovarian suppression is confirmed with serum E2 less than or equal to 35 pg/ml 21-28 day post-injection.

  • Estrogen and Progesterone ReplacementDrug

    Also called Estradiol (vivelle-dot), Progesterone (prometrium, progestin)

    Replace hormones exogenously to create an artificial cycle

  • ProgestinDrug

    Also called Norethindrone, NET

    Synthetic progestin to assess effects on cervical mucus.

Study groups in NCT02969590
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
No Intervention: Spontaneous Cycle (1 month)No interventionIn order to qualify for the intervention phase, subjects needed to demonstrate favorable mucus at ovulation (Insler score of greater than or equal to 10 within 24h of an LH surge) and progesterone level in the luteal phase consistent with ovulation (a single P4 of greater than or equal to 3ng/ ml between days 18-35 of menstrual cycle).
NET Arm - Norethindrone (4 months)Active comparatorThis arm will receive Norethindrone (NET) first then experience estradiol withdrawal (E2WD). On the day prior to each admission, we instructed subjects to apply three fresh estradiol (E2) patches (0.3mg/day) to achieve mid-cycle level E2 effects. On the day of the first and third admission, subjects were randomized to the experimental condition, either: (1) oral progestin administration (e.g., a single dose of 0.35mg norethindrone) with continuation of the E2 patches; or (2) estradiol withdrawal (e.g., removal of the patches). Subject then received the converse intervention for admissions two and four. Subjects resumed treatment with the 0.1mg E2 patch until their next scheduled inpatient assessment. We required a minimum of five days at this level before repeating the dose escalation and the next evaluation.
Receives: Drug: Leuprolide acetate; Drug: Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement; Drug: Progestin
E2WD Arm - Estradiol (4 months)Active comparatorThis arm will experience estradiol withdrawal (E2WD) first and then receive Norethindrone (NET). On the day prior to each admission, we instructed subjects to apply three fresh estradiol (E2) patches (0.3mg/day) to achieve mid-cycle level E2 effects. On the day of the first and third admission, subjects were randomized to the experimental condition, either: (1) oral progestin administration (e.g., a single dose of 0.35mg norethindrone) with continuation of the E2 patches ; or (2) estradiol withdrawal (e.g., removal of the patches). Subject then received the converse intervention for admissions two and four. Subjects resumed treatment with the 0.1mg E2 patch until their next scheduled inpatient assessment. We required a minimum of five days at this level before repeating the dose escalation and the next evaluation.
Receives: Drug: Leuprolide acetate; Drug: Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement; Drug: Progestin

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Median Cervical Mucus Score - Baseline

    Measurement of median cervical mucus scores at baseline. The current clinical standard for appraising cervical mucus is the cervical mucus score (ie. Insler score) that examines mucus based on 5 metrics including volume, spinnbarkeit (stretch), ferning, viscosity and cellularity on a 15-point scale. Per WHO guidelines, scores above 10 are considered "mucus favoring penetration" and scores below 10 are considered to be "unfavorable to penetration."

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Sperm Penetration Scores

    Measuring sperm penetration scores in different hormonal conditions

    Measured: Approximately one year

  3. Median Cervical Mucus Score - 2 Hour

    Measurement of median cervical mucus scores 2 hours following norethindrone administration. The current clinical standard for appraising cervical mucus is the cervical mucus score (ie. Insler score) that examines mucus based on 5 metrics including volume, spinnbarkeit (stretch), ferning, viscosity and cellularity on a 15-point scale. Per WHO guidelines, scores above 10 are considered "mucus favoring penetration" and scores below 10 are considered to be "unfavorable to penetration."

    Measured: 2 hours

  4. Median Cervical Mucus Score - 6 Hour

    Measurement of median cervical mucus scores 6 hours following norethindrone administration. The current clinical standard for appraising cervical mucus is the cervical mucus score (ie. Insler score) that examines mucus based on 5 metrics including volume, spinnbarkeit (stretch), ferning, viscosity and cellularity on a 15-point scale. Per WHO guidelines, scores above 10 are considered "mucus favoring penetration" and scores below 10 are considered to be "unfavorable to penetration."

    Measured: 6 hours

  5. Median Cervical Mucus Score - 24 Hour

    Measurement of median cervical mucus scores 24 hours following norethindrone administration. The current clinical standard for appraising cervical mucus is the cervical mucus score (ie. Insler score) that examines mucus based on 5 metrics including volume, spinnbarkeit (stretch), ferning, viscosity and cellularity on a 15-point scale. Per WHO guidelines, scores above 10 are considered "mucus favoring penetration" and scores below 10 are considered to be "unfavorable to penetration."

    Measured: 24 hours

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Change in PGRMC1 During Menstrual Cycle

    Measuring the mean transcript change of membrane bound progestin receptors (PGRMC1) from follicular phase to ovulation to luteal phase of spontaneous menstrual cycle.

    Total RNA (ribonucleic acid) was isolated from endocervical cell samples and analyzed for expression of PGRMC1 using real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) relative to levels of ribosomal (S10) RNA. An endocervical brush will be inserted into the os and then immediately rinsed into a special RNA preserving reagent. After total RNA is isolated and purified, it will be reverse transcribed into cDNA using primers.

    Ratio of PGRMC1 to 18s RNA

    Gene expression of membrane bound progesterone receptors in endocervical cells

    Measured: 1 month

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Nov 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study start29 Mar 2015
  3. Primary completion23 Aug 2017
  4. Study completion23 Aug 2017

Resources

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 4
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Investigator
Enrolment
5 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02969590
Sponsor's protocol ID
OHSU IRB 11532
Status last verified
Oct 2019
First submitted
27 May 2015
Last updated
18 Oct 2019
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Han L, Padua E, Edelman A, Jensen JT. Appraising cervical mucus: a new approach to evaluating contraceptives. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2018 Feb;23(1):78-83. doi: 10.1080/13625187.2018.1437134. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

    PubMed 29457758

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Leuprolide acetate, Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement and Progestin in people with Fertility and Contraception, run by Oregon Health and Science University at 1 site in United States.

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 10 inclusion and 17 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Oct 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. 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 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 18 Oct 2019). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Median Cervical Mucus Score - Baseline (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT02969590, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 18 Oct 2019.

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