Is the IVF Outcome Dependent on the Time Interval Between hCG Administration and Oocyte Retrieval?

During controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is administered to trigger the final follicular maturation before oocyte retrieval, in an attempt to mimic the physiologic effects of LH. The hCG is administered when more than three follicles ≥17mm in mean diameter have developed.

The time interval between hCG administration and oocyte retrieval is of critical importance since the time after luteinizing stimulus is a period of intense processes including the start of luteinization, expansion of cumulus cells and oocyte meiotic maturation.

The commonly practiced hCG administration time of 33 to 36 h in most IVF cycles aims to avoiding spontaneous ovulation before oocyte retrieval. However, several studies have shown that significantly more high quality embryos have been obtained with a prolonged hCG-to-oocyte interval of 38 h. It has been hypothesized that longer interval would be beneficial in improving oocyte quality and achieving optimal maturation.

Currently there are no data on the effect of the time interval between hCG administration and oocyte retrieval on IVF outcome in GnRH antagonist cycles. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is any difference in in vitro fertilization outcome when oocyte retrieval takes place at 36 h or 38 h following hCG administration

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Subfertility
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Oocyte retrieval will be performed 36 h or 38 h after hCG administration

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 154
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Greece
  • Thessaloniki, Greece
    • Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 20 years to 43 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• women undergoing fresh IVF cycle with recombinant FSH and GnRH antagonists
• regular spontaneous menstrual cycle (24-35 days)
• age ≤ 43 years
• FSH ≤ 20 IU/L

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of previous ovarian surgery
• Women with Stage III-IV Endometriosis
• Women undergoing natural cycle IVF

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: 36 h group; Oocyte retrieval will be performed 36 hours after hCG administration	Procedure: Oocyte retrieval will be performed 36 h or 38 h after hCG administration; Oocyte retrieval will be performed 36 h or 38 h after hCG administration; Other Names: oocyte retrieval at 36 hours following hCG administration; oocyte retrieval at 38 hours following hCG administration
Active Comparator: 38 h group; Oocyte retrieval will be performed 38 hours after hCG administration	Procedure: Oocyte retrieval will be performed 36 h or 38 h after hCG administration; Oocyte retrieval will be performed 36 h or 38 h after hCG administration; Other Names: oocyte retrieval at 36 hours following hCG administration; oocyte retrieval at 38 hours following hCG administration

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
retrieval rate (cumulus-oocyte complexes/ follicles> 11 mm)	up to 38 h after hCG administration

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Clinical pregnancy rate (evidence of intrauterine sac with fetal heart activity at 6-8 weeks of gestation)	At 6-8 weeks of gestation
Total number of oocytes retrieved	up to 38 h after hCG administration

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: November 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 10, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): January 24, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): May 28, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 26, 2014
• Last Verified: May 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: IVF, hCG, oocyte retrieval, time interval
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Infertility
• Other Study ID Numbers: UHR-10