Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Intracytoplasmatic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Outcomes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Ladies

This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial that is blinded to investigator and outcome assessors. Ethical committee approval is obtained. The study includes infertile obese patients with PCOS diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria, who are scheduled for ICSI cycle. Patients with body mass index (BMI) 30-35kg/m2 are included.

Women with diabetes, thyroid disorder or other endocrine dysfunctions, uterine abnormalities are excluded.

All patients receive detailed information about the study and informed consent is given by those who accepted to participate in the study. Each patient is subjected to history taking about obstetric history, medical and surgical history and demographic distribution. Full physical examination and 2D transvaginal sonography (TVS) are done on day 2 to 5 of menses to assess antral follicle count (AFC), uterus and adnexa .

All 100 participants are scheduled for ICSI cycles. Randomization is done by withdrawing closed envelopes for each patient into group A and group B . Group (A): patients receive chromium supplementation as capsules of 200 micrograms of chromium picolinate (Arab company for pharmaceuticals and medicinal plants) for 2 months, Group (B): no chromium supplementation.

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, metformin 500-1000 mg orally 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 insulin , fasting plasma glucose, Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, lipid profile ( Triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, High density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low density Lipoprotein (LDL), free and total testosterone , Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Free Androgen index (FAI), 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 cyles, Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), Chemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy, twins and abortion.