Modern Analyses of the Semen in Evaluating Male Fertility and Treatment Options of Male Infertility (SemiFluid)

November 14, 2023 updated by: Turku University Hospital
Men are recruited to collect seminal plasma samples and serum samples from men with azoospermia, men receiving medical treatment of infertility and men attending semen analysis. MicroRNA (miRNA) and PiWi-interacting RNA (piRNA) are analyzed for all of the groups to find potential differences. Steroid hormones are analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Azoospermic men attending microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MD-TESE) are group A. Second group (B) is the men with poor semen quality, who are treated with aromatase inhibitor, antiestrogen or human choriogonadotropic hormone (HCG) to improve semen quality. Third group (C) consists of men submitting semen analysis. The intended number of participants is 60, 60 and 100 men, respectively.

Seminal plasma and serum samples are collected and miRNA and piRNA are analyzed. Steroid hormones are analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The participants are given a physical examination and testicular ultrasound. The primary aim of this study is to develop a tool to better estimate the sperm recovery rate (SRR) of azoospermic men scheduled for MD-TESE. Since no data have been published presenting miRNA and piRNA levels in men with normal semen, a secondary aim is to describe the levels of miRNA and piRNA in unselected men. Third part of this study aims to find if medical treatment improving semen parameters affects miRNA ja piRNA findings.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

120

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Antti Perheentupa, MD, PhD
  • Phone Number: +358445349025
  • Email: antper@utu.fi

Study Locations

      • Turku, Finland, 20521
        • Turku University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Men contacting the fertility clinic in Turku University Hospital

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Ability to produce semen sample

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cognitive impairment
  • Inadequate language skills for informed consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
MD-TESE (A)
Azoospermic men, MD-TESE operation (standard treatment). Semen sample, serum sample and physical examination with testicular ultrasound.
Subfertile men (B)
Subfertile men receiving medication (standard treatment). Semen sample, serum sample and physical examination with testicular ultrasound.
Control (C)
Control group, men scheduled for semen analysis. Semen sample, serum sample and physical examination with testicular ultrasound.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
miRNA and piRNA according to sperm recovery in MD-TESE
Time Frame: Two years
Two years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Assess miRNA and pRNA changes with hormonal treatment
Time Frame: two years
two years

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Describe miRNA and piRNa levels in seminal plasma of unselected men
Time Frame: two years
two years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Collaborators

Investigators

  • Study Director: Antti Perheentupa, MD,PhD, University of Turku

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 1, 2016

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 1, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

November 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 12, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 12, 2016

First Posted (Estimated)

October 13, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 15, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 14, 2023

Last Verified

November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SemiFluid

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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