Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol Versus Flexible GnRH Antagonist Protocol in Poor Responders
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04537078 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : September 3, 2020
Results First Posted : February 17, 2022
Last Update Posted : February 17, 2022
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The worldwide prevalence of primary and secondary infertility is estimated at ~2% and 10.5%, respectively, among women aged 20-44 years and attempting to conceive. Poor ovarian responders (PORs) involve 9-24% of patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). proper tailoring of the ovarian stimulation protocol in order to maximize the number of oocytes collected represents a crucial step for them to eventually conceive.
Recent evidence indicates that in the same menstrual cycle, there are multiple follicular recruitment waves. This coincides with the theory that folliculogenesis occurs in a wave-like fashion. Thus, within a single menstrual cycle, there can theoretically be multiple opportunities for a clinician to collect oocytes, as opposed to the conventional single cohort of antral follicles during the follicular phase.
Utilizing this concept, clinicians have been attempting to retrieve oocytes from poor responders using both the follicular-phase stimulation (FPS) and the luteal-phase stimulation (LPS) protocols to increase the number of oocytes collected shorter within shorter period of time. By increasing the number of the retrieved oocytes collected, a better clinical can be assured since there is a clear relationship between the number of oocytes collected and live birth rates across all female age groups.
which protocol is the most effective remains controversial and the efficacy of PPOS in POR compared with that of conventional protocols is unclear.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Infertility, Female | Drug: Duphaston Drug: Gonadotropin Drug: Cetrotide Injectable Product Drug: Decapeptyl Drug: Chorionic Gonadotropin Drug: Combined Oral Contraceptive Drug: Cyclo-Progynova Drug: progesterone | Phase 3 |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 90 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol Versus Flexible GnRH Antagonist Protocol in Poor Responders |
Actual Study Start Date : | September 1, 2020 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | March 1, 2021 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | September 1, 2021 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Active Comparator: the progestin primed double stimulation group
luteal phase priming using combined contraceptive pills from day 21 of the previous cycle for one week by Gynera tab. Controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation with 225-375 IU of gonadotropins will be started day 2-3 of menses after vaginal ultrasound confirming the absence of ovarian cysts. Duphaston at 20 mg/day will be started from the first day of the ovulation induction.Decapeptyl in a dose of 2 ampules of 0.2 mg will be administered when leading follicle >18 mm in diameter for triggering.Then, Controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation the next day after the previous oocyte pickup simultaneously with Duphaston. Starting from the next menstrual cycle Day 3, patients will receive oral estradiol valerate (Cyclo-Progynova (white tablets) daily.When endometrial thickness ≥ 7 mm.Embryo transfer will be scheduled on Day 3, 4 or 5 with maximum number of 3 class A embryos whether of cleavage or blastocyst stage.
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Drug: Duphaston
will be used for pituitary suppression in the first arm:20 mg/day will be started from the first day of the ovulation induction in the follicular phase and in the luteal phase will be started the next day after oocyte pickup at 20 mg/day. Drug: Gonadotropin will be used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in both arms
Other Names:
Drug: Decapeptyl will be used for ovulation triggering.in the first arm:in a dose of 2 ampules of 0.2 mg will be administered when leading follicle >18 mm in diameter. in the second arm:in a dose of 2 ampules 0.2 mg will be administered when leading follicle >18 mm in diameter in the first cycle only. Drug: Combined Oral Contraceptive luteal phase priming from day 21 of the cycle before controlled ovarian stimulation for one week .
Other Name: Gynera Drug: Cyclo-Progynova Starting from cycle Day 3 of the intented cycle for thawed embryo transfer, patients will receive the white tablets of Cyclo-Progynova daily. From Day 10 onwards, endometrium growth will be monitored by transvaginal ultrasound. Drug: progesterone in the intended cycle of embryo transfer when endometrial thickness ≥ 7 mm. Progesterone administration (as 800 mg/day vaginal suppositories per day and 100 mg ampule IM every other day) will be continued until pregnancy testing 18 days after embryo transfer and in pregnant cases will continued till the 12 weeks of gestation.
Other Name: prontogest |
Active Comparator: the flexible GnRh antagonist
This step will be done twice in two different cycles In each cycle: luteal phase priming using combined contraceptive pills from day 21 of the previous cycle for one week by Gynera tab. Controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation using antagonist protocol will be used. Stimulation with 225-375 IU of gonadotropins will be started day 2-3 of menses after vaginal ultrasound confirming the absence of ovarian cysts. Cetrotide ampule will be given daily as the biggest oocyte reaches size 14 mm. Decapeptyl ampules 0.2 mg will be administered when leading follicle >18 mm in diameter. While in the second cycle HCG triggering (Choriomon)in a dose of 10,000 IU will be administered when the leading follicle >18 mm in diameter. Embryo transfer will be scheduled on Day 3, 4 or 5 with maximum number of 3 class A embryos whether of cleavage or blastocyst stage that will be a mixture of the thawed embryos of the first cycle and fresh embryos of the second cycle.
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Drug: Gonadotropin
will be used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in both arms
Other Names:
Drug: Cetrotide Injectable Product will used in the second arm for pituitary suppression in the second group daily when the biggest oocyte reaches size 14 mm till ovulation triggering Drug: Decapeptyl will be used for ovulation triggering.in the first arm:in a dose of 2 ampules of 0.2 mg will be administered when leading follicle >18 mm in diameter. in the second arm:in a dose of 2 ampules 0.2 mg will be administered when leading follicle >18 mm in diameter in the first cycle only. Drug: Chorionic Gonadotropin will be used in the second cycle of the second arm for ovulation triggering in a dose of 10,000 IU when the leading follicle >18 mm in diameter.
Other Name: choriomon Drug: Combined Oral Contraceptive luteal phase priming from day 21 of the cycle before controlled ovarian stimulation for one week .
Other Name: Gynera Drug: Cyclo-Progynova Starting from cycle Day 3 of the intented cycle for thawed embryo transfer, patients will receive the white tablets of Cyclo-Progynova daily. From Day 10 onwards, endometrium growth will be monitored by transvaginal ultrasound. Drug: progesterone in the intended cycle of embryo transfer when endometrial thickness ≥ 7 mm. Progesterone administration (as 800 mg/day vaginal suppositories per day and 100 mg ampule IM every other day) will be continued until pregnancy testing 18 days after embryo transfer and in pregnant cases will continued till the 12 weeks of gestation.
Other Name: prontogest |
- the Number of M2 Oocytes Retrieved [ Time Frame: 1-2 hours after oocyte retrieval ]it is the number of M2 oocytes retrieved that were being assessed after denudation
- the Fertilization Rate [ Time Frame: 16 to 20 hours after microinjection of the oocytes with the sperms ]percentage transformation of micro injected oocytes into two pronuclei. it is done 16 to 20 hours after microinjection of the oocytes by the sperms
- the Resultant Embryos Number [ Time Frame: the embryos number counted day 3 or 4or 5 after fertilization ]it is the resultant embryos number counted day 3 or 4 or 5 after fertilization
- the Implantation Rate [ Time Frame: at the 6 th week of pregnancy ]it is calculated as the number of intrauterine gestational sacs observed by transvaginal ultrasonography divided by the number of transferred embryos at the 6 th week of pregnancy and then multiplied by 100
- the Clinical Pregnancy Rate. [ Time Frame: at the 6 th weeks of pregnancy ]percentage of cases in which observation of a gestational sac with fetal heart beat by transvaginal ultrasound at 6 weeks of pregnancy
- the Difference in the Ongoing Pregnancy Rate in Both Protocols. [ Time Frame: At the 20 th week of gestation ]Assessing the difference in the ongoing pregnancy rate when the pregnancy had completed ≥20 weeks of gestation
- the Difference Between the Follicular Phase and the Luteal Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol Regarding the Total Days of Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation [ Time Frame: From the first day of ovarian stimulation till the last day of ovarian stimulation in each phase ,the follicular and the luteal, of stimulation ]the total number of days of the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in both follicular and luteal phase of the progestin primed double stimulation protocol are studied so as to asses the difference between the two phases, the follicular phase and the luteal phase of the progestin primed double stimulation protocol
- the Difference Between the Follicular Phase and the Luteal Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol Regarding the Total Dosage of Gonadotropins Used in the Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation [ Time Frame: From the first day of ovarian stimulation till the last day of ovarian stimulation in each phase ,the follicular and the luteal, of stimulation ]Assessing the difference between the follicular phase and the luteal phase of the progestin primed double stimulation protocol regarding the total dosage of gonadotropins used in the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation so as to the difference between the two phases
- the Difference Between the Follicular Phase and the Luteal Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol Regarding the Number of M2 Oocytes Retrieved [ Time Frame: 1-2 hours after oocyte retrieval ]it is the number of M2 oocytes retrieved that were being assessed after denudation so as to the difference between the results between the two phases, the follicular phase and the luteal phase of the progestin primed double stimulation protocol
- the Difference Between the Follicular Phase and the Luteal Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol Regarding the Fertilization Rate. [ Time Frame: 16 to 20 hours after microinjection of the oocytes with the sperms ]percentage of transformation of micro injected oocytes into two pronuclei at 16 -20 hours after microinjection of the oocytes by the sperms so as to the difference between the results between the two phases, the follicular phase and the luteal phase of the progestin primed double stimulation protocol
- the Difference Between the Follicular Phase and the Luteal Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol Regarding the Resultant Embryos Number [ Time Frame: the embryos number counted day 3 or 4or 5 after fertilization ]the resultant embryos number are counted day 3 or 4 or 5 after fertilization so as to the difference between the results between the two phases, the follicular phase and the luteal phase of the progestin primed double stimulation protocol
- Assessing the Difference Between the Follicular Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol and the First Round of the Conventional GnRH Antagonist Protocol Regarding the Number of M2 Oocytes Retrieved . [ Time Frame: 1-2 hours after oocyte retrieval ]it is the number of M2 oocytes retrieved that were being assessed after denudation.so as to study the effect of the progestin used on the ovarian response in poor ovarian responders, we have compared the follicular phase of the dual stimulation group and first follicular wave of the flexible antagonist group
- Assessing the Difference Between the Follicular Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol and the First Round of the Conventional GnRH Antagonist Protocol Regarding the Fertilization Rate. [ Time Frame: 16 to 20 hours after microinjection of the oocytes by the sperms ]it is percentage transformation of micro injected oocytes into two pronuclei.so as to study the effect of the progestin used on the ovarian response and its results in poor ovarian responders, we have compared the follicular phase of the dual stimulation group and first follicular wave of the flexible antagonist group
- Assessing the Difference Between the Follicular Phase of the Progestin Primed Double Stimulation Protocol and the First Round of the Conventional GnRH Antagonist Protocol Regarding the Resultant Embryos Number. [ Time Frame: at day 3 or 4or 5 after fertilization ]it is the number of the resultant embryos counted at day 3 or 4 or 5 after fertilization.so as to study the effect of the progestin used on the ovarian response and the resultant embryos number in poor ovarian responders, we have compared the follicular phase of the dual stimulation group and first follicular wave of the flexible antagonist group

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 20 Years to 45 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Gender Based Eligibility: | Yes |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
poor ovarian responders patients defined by Bologna criteria
Exclusion Criteria:
- Male factor infertility due to azoospermia.
- Patients with uncorrected uterine pathology.
- Patients with the diagnosis of severe endometriosis.
- Patients with BMI over 35.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04537078
Egypt | |
Elshatby University Maternity Hospital | |
Alexandria, Egypt |
Principal Investigator: | Aly A Hussein, Ass.lecturer | Elshatby University hospital | |
Principal Investigator: | Sherif S Gaafar, Professor | Elshatby University hospital |
Documents provided by Aly Hussein, El Shatby University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology:
Responsible Party: | Aly Hussein, Assistant lecturer, University of Alexandria, El Shatby University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT04537078 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
0201350 |
First Posted: | September 3, 2020 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | February 17, 2022 |
Last Update Posted: | February 17, 2022 |
Last Verified: | January 2022 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: | Yes |
Infertility Infertility, Female Triptorelin Pamoate Contraceptive Agents Contraceptives, Oral Chorionic Gonadotropin Cetrorelix Contraceptives, Oral, Combined Progesterone Dydrogesterone Estradiol Progestins Hormones |
Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Physiological Effects of Drugs Reproductive Control Agents Contraceptive Agents, Female Luteolytic Agents Contraceptive Agents, Hormonal Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal Antineoplastic Agents Fertility Agents, Female Fertility Agents Hormone Antagonists Estrogens |