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InfertilityNCT03703115

The Effect of Fasting on ICSI Outcomes in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A study testing Fasting in people with Infertility and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.

Withdrawn

Withdrawn. The study stopped before anyone enrolled.

Official record
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Trial summary

Design and protocol of PCO fasting research: This study is a pilot prospective, single-blinded (to the health assessor), randomized controlled trial conducted at the In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF) center of the Department of Obstetrics \& Gynecology, Kasr El-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt, from October 2018 to… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Infertility, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
What is being tested?
Fasting
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
0 participants
Where
1 siteEgypt
Study dates
14 Oct 2018to 1 Sep 2022
Phase
Interventional
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 18 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria scheduled for ICSI

Who cannot join

  • women with diabetes, thyroid disorders and other endocrinologic disorders
  • women with uterine abnormalities

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Egypt1 site
  • KasrELAiniH

    Cairo

Other trials in Egypt

About this study

Design and protocol of PCO fasting research:

This study is a pilot prospective, single-blinded (to the health assessor), randomized controlled trial conducted at the In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF) center of the Department of Obstetrics \& Gynecology, Kasr El-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt, from October 2018 to September 2019, to determine the clinical effect of fasting on ICSI outcomes in PCOS patients. Ethical committee approval was obtained. The study will include 100 infertile patients with PCOS diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria of PCOS and who are candidates for ICSI cycle. Women with diabetes, thyroid disorder or other endocrine dysfunctions, uterine abnormalities were excluded.

Read more

All patients are informed about the study and consent is given by those who accept to participate.

Careful history taking include infertility type, duration , cause, obstetric history, medical and surgical history and demographic distribution is taken. Full physical examination and 2 dimensional (2D) transvaginal sonography (TVS) are done on day 2 to 5 of menses to assess antral follicle count, uterus and adnexa . Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) are calculated, Blood samples are taken for Fasting insulin , fasting plasma glucose, Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA index), lipid profile and hormonal profile are done.

All 100 participants will be randomized withdrawing closed envelopes for each patient into group A and group B .

Group (A): patients will have periodic fasting for 4 weeks prior to the treatment cycle. The fasting method involves daily fasts of 14-16hours and restrict eating to an 8-10 hour "eating window" as 2-3 or more meals of balanced diet. Group (B): no fasting, patients will have usual balanced diet as 3 meals and 2 snacks all over the day. Both groups should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily (2-3 liters) Subjects are instructed to wait for spontaneous menses, or to be prescribed progestins orally (as Norethisterone 5mg) twice daily for 21 days starting from the fifth day of menses. Patients should continue taking oral metformin 500-1000 mg daily, until confirmation of pregnancy.

The next visit is scheduled on day 2 of next cycle when transvaginal ultrasound is done to confirm that endometrial thickness <5mm, no ovarian cyst by ultrasound. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) are calculated. Blood samples are taken for 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),and then 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.

Fixed antagonist protocol is given and follow up until embryo transfer(ET). 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 and other ICSI outcomes.

Read the detailed description

Design and protocol of PCO fasting research:

This study is a pilot prospective, single-blinded (to the health assessor), randomized controlled trial conducted at the In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF) center of the Department of Obstetrics \& Gynecology, Kasr El-Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt, from October 2018 to September 2019, to determine the clinical effect of fasting on ICSI outcomes in PCOS patients. Ethical committee approval was obtained. The study will include 100 infertile patients with PCOS diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria of PCOS and who are candidates for ICSI cycle. Women with diabetes, thyroid disorder or other endocrine dysfunctions, uterine abnormalities were excluded.

All patients are informed about the study and consent is given by those who accept to participate.

Careful history taking include infertility type, duration , cause, obstetric history, medical and surgical history and demographic distribution is taken. Full physical examination and 2 dimensional (2D) transvaginal sonography (TVS) are done on day 2 to 5 of menses to assess antral follicle count, uterus and adnexa . Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) are calculated, Blood samples are taken for Fasting insulin , fasting plasma glucose, Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA index), lipid profile ( Triglycerides, 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) All 100 participants will be randomized withdrawing closed envelopes for each patient into group A and group B .

Group (A): patients will have periodic fasting for 4 weeks prior to the treatment cycle. The fasting method involves daily fasts of 14-16hours and restrict eating to an 8-10 hour "eating window" as 2-3 or more meals of balanced diet. Group (B): no fasting, patients will have usual balanced diet as 3 meals and 2 snacks all over the day. Both groups should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily (2-3 liters) Subjects are instructed to wait for spontaneous menses, or to be prescribed progestins orally (as Norethisterone 5mg) twice daily for 21 days starting from the fifth day of menses. Patients should continue taking oral metformin 500-1000 mg daily, until confirmation of pregnancy.

The next visit is scheduled on day 2 of next cycle when transvaginal ultrasound is done to confirm that endometrial thickness <5mm, no ovarian cyst by ultrasound. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) are calculated. Blood samples are taken for 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),and then 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)u, 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 cycles, Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), Chemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy, twins, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, preterm labour, live birth rate

Being tested
Fasting
Keywords
ICSI, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Infertility, Fasting
Medical subject headings
Infertility, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Fasting

What participants receive

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

  • FastingBehavioural

    Also called Periodic fasting

    No food for 14 -16 hours with water intake and non caloric beverages then eating balanced meals over 8 to 10 hours

Study groups in NCT03703115
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
FastingActive comparatorPatients will have periodic fasting for 4 weeks prior to the treatment cycle. The fasting method involves daily fasts of 14-16hours and restrict eating to an 8-10 hour "eating window" as 2-3 or more meals of balanced diet with 2-3 litres of water and non calorie fluids allover the day.
Receives: Behavioral: Fasting
NonfastingNo interventionPatients will have usual balanced diet as 3 meals and 2 snacks all over the day. Both groups should take adequate water and non calorie beverages intake daily ( 2-3 liters daily)

What is being measured

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

  1. Rate of clinical pregnancy

    detection of gestationalsac, embryonal pole and fetal pulsations by ultrasonography

    Measured: 10 weeks

Secondary outcomes (17)
  1. Body mass index

    The weight in kilograms divided by the squared height in meters

    Measured: 4 weeks of fasting

  2. Waist/ hip ratio

    The ratio of waist circumference in centimeters to the hip circumference in centimeters

    Measured: 4 weeks of fasting

  3. Concentration of fasting insulin

    Insulin level in serum after fasting for 8 hours measured as mIU/ml

    Measured: 4 weeks of fasting

  4. Concentration of free testosterone

    Free testosterone level in serum measured as ng/dL

    Measured: 4 weeks of fasting

  5. Number of days of stimulation with gonadotrophins

    Days of stimulation with gonadotrophins

    Measured: 6 weeks

  6. Number of ampoules of gonadotrophins

    total number of ampoules of gonadotrophins

    Measured: 6 weeks

  7. Number of M II oocytes retrieved

    Number of M II oocytes retrieved

    Measured: Average 6 weeks

  8. Number of grade1 and 2 embryos

    Number of grade1 and 2 embryos

    Measured: 6-7 weeks

  9. Number of frozen embryos

    Number of frozen embryos

    Measured: 6 to 7 weeks

  10. Number of freeze all cycles

    total number of freeze all cycles

    Measured: 6 to 7 weeks

  11. Number of cases with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

    number of cases diagnosed with Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

    Measured: 6 to 8 weeks

  12. Rate of chemical pregnancy

    number of cases with positive pregnancy test with no clinical pregnancy

    Measured: 10weeks

  13. Rate of twin pregnancy

    presence of two gestational sacs detected by ultrasonography

    Measured: 10 weeks

  14. Rate of ectopic pregnancy

    the presence of gestational sac outside the uterine cavity detected by ultrasound

    Measured: 10 weeks

  15. Rate of Abortion

    the number of abortions clinically diagnosed per cycle

    Measured: 10-24 weeks

  16. Rate of preterm labour

    labour after 20 weeks of gestation and before completed 37 weeks of gestation

    Measured: After 24 weeks of start of study

  17. Rate of live birth

    Live birth rate

    Measured: After40 weeks of start of study

Timeline

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

  1. First posted11 Oct 2018
  2. Study start14 Oct 2018
  3. Primary completion1 Apr 2022 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Sep 2022 (estimated)

Why it stopped: There is no commitment from the patient to maintain fasting in both the control and case groups

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 N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
0 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03703115
Sponsor's protocol ID
88766603
Status last verified
Jan 2021
First submitted
29 Sep 2018
Last updated
30 Aug 2023
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Fasting in people with Infertility and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, run by Cairo University at 1 site 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: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Aug 2023. 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 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.

Are results available for this study?

The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.

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?

Rate of clinical pregnancy (time frame: 10 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 30 Aug 2023.

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