The Copenhagen Analgesic Study (COPANA)

June 3, 2020 updated by: Anders Juul, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Fundamental aspects of reproductive function are established in fetal life and there is a present increased awareness of the potential effects of fetal exposures on reproductive health of offspring. Experimental studies strongly suggest detrimental effects of prenatal exposure to mild analgesics such as acetaminophen (e.g. paracetamol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid) on male as well as female gonadal development. Declining fertility has become a growing problem in developing countries, potentially resulting in severe socioeconomic challenges, and fetal exposure of mild analgesics causes part of these alarming observations.This is the first prospective human study designed primarily to assess the effect of fetal exposure of mild analgesics on male and female reproductive function.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Fetal gonadal development is essential for adult reproductive health. Experimental studies strongly suggest that maternal use of mild analgesics (e.g. paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) during pregnancy affect fetal gonadal development with possible severe reproductive repercussions.

In rodents, paracetamol and NSAIDs administered in therapeutic doses in early and mid-pregnancy are endocrine disruptive in the fetus causing reduced prostaglandin synthesis and delayed transition from germ cell mitosis to meiosis resulting in fetal germ cell apoptosis in both female and male gonads. Female offspring were born with reduced ovarian weight and concerning reduction (40-50%) in number of ovarian follicles. Females are born with a defined number of follicles that depletes throughout their reproductive lifespan, inevitably leading to menopause. Establishment of the primordial follicle pool during fetal life is therefore essential for female reproductive health and disruption of this process has important and lasting consequences. Although spermatogenesis is not restricted to fetal life, essential aspects of male gonadal development are tightly regulated in utero and in rodents exposure to mild analgesics causes decreased testosterone production and decreased fertility in male offspring.

In adulthood, exposed animals exhibited longer time to conceive and gave birth to fewer pubs per litter compared with controls. Furthermore, studies of rodents suggest that in both males and females, adverse reproductive effects are passed on to the next generation indicating altered genetic programming, i.e. epigenetic changes.

Analgesics are sold over the counter and up to 56% of pregnant women use mild analgesics during pregnancy. The bioavailability of acetaminophen is high (app. 90%), and the reactive metabolite passes freely over the placenta to the fetus.

Declining fertility has become a growing problem in developing countries, potentially resulting in severe socioeconomic challenges.

The anogenital distance (AGD) is defined as the distance from the anus to genital tubercle and is strongly affected by androgens in fetal life resulting in a longer AGD in males than in females.

The AGD has shown to be a sensitive marker of androgen exposure in fetal life, and remains the most sensitive parameter when evaluating prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptive environmental agents. Therefore, AGD has been identified as an endpoint in the US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for reproductive toxicity studies.

In humans, use of mild analgesic during the first and second trimester was associated with reduced male AGD, congenital cryptorchidism and hypospadias suggestive of insufficient androgenic action. In male infants born with hypospadias, the reduction in AGD can be seen as early as in the third trimester where fetal AGD is below the fifth percentile compared to normative fetal AGD data. Thus, fetal AGD may assist in early detection of insufficient androgenic action and genital abnormalities.

In adult life, consequences can be impaired testosterone production, sub- and infertility as well as testis cancer.

Assessment of reproductive function in early life - minipuberty Minipuberty is a term used to describe the transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis during infancy in both boys and girls and is a window of opportunity for diagnosis of endocrine disorders as well as future reproductive function. Reproductive hormones exert effects on target tissue resulting in follicle maturation, growth of breast tissue and thickening of uterine endometrium (females) as well as testicular- and penile growth (males). The minipuberty is followed by a quiescent period during mid childhood until pubertal reactivation of the HPG axis at pubertal onset.

To date, no prospective human studies have assessed the effect of analgesic exposure on reproductive function. The few retrospective studies that are published are hampered by recall bias and/or lack of thorough reproductive evaluation, and no studies have in detail assessed human female reproductive function after the use of mild analgesics during pregnancy.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

600

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 Locations

      • Copenhagen, Denmark, 2100
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Anders Juul, M.D., DMSc
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Margit B. Fischer, M.D., PhD.-student
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Casper Hagen, M.D.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Kristian Almstrup, MSc, PhD.
      • Copenhagen, Denmark, 2100
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Obstetrics and Section of fetal medicine, Rigshospitalet
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Peter Damm, M.D., DMSc, PhD.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Karin Sundberg, M.D., DMSc, PhD.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Hanne K. Heegaard, Associated professor, PhD.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Rikke N. Møller, Head midwife
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Ane L. Rom, Midwife, PhD.

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 and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study is a population based prospective cohort study of 600 families (healthy pregnant mothers, biological fathers and their healthy male/female offspring.

Pregnant women, meeting the inclusion criteria, and the fathers-to-be followed at the Department of Obstetrics, Rigshospitalet will be invited to participate.

There are two groups of participants in this study:

  1. Healthy infants recruited specifically for this study
  2. The parents, i.e. the mother and father, of the healthy infants

The two groups will include the following numbers (approximately) of participants:

  1. 600 healthy infants (based on expected son to daughter ratio of 105 to 100 in Denmark, we expect approximately equal distribution of boys and girl).
  2. 600 mothers and 600 fathers of healthy infants

Description

Inclusion criteria:

Infants:

  • Singleton pregnancies
  • Term pregnancy (week 37+0 to 42+0)

Parents:

  • Maternal and paternal Caucasian origin
  • Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI between 18 and 35 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria:

Infants:

• Fetal malformations or chromosomal disorders

Parents:

  • Serious maternal illness, including pre-existing maternal diabetes or thyroid gland diseases
  • Gestational diabetes

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
Intervention / Treatment
Controls
Children born from mothers with no consumption of mild analgesics 3 months before or during pregnancy
Exposed
Children born from mothers with consumption of mild analgesics 3 months before or during pregnancy
Maternal consumption of mild analgesics
Other Names:
  • Acetaminophen
  • Acetyl salicylic acid
  • Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Ovarian volume (female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Ovarian volumen, measured by abdominal ultrasound
2.5 months old
Ovarian follicle count (female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Ovarian follicle count, measured by abdominal ultrasound
2.5 months old
Blood sample (female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Serum metabolites Anti Müllarian Hormone (AMH)
2.5 months old
Testes volumen (male infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Testes volumen, measured by ultrasound
2.5 months old
Blood sample (male infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Serum metabolites testosterone, free testosterone.
2.5 months old

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Length (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Length in cm
2.5 months old
Weight (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Weight in kilograms
2.5 months old
Head circumference (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Head circumference measured with a measurement tape, mm.
2.5 months old
Abdominal circumference (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Abdonimal circumference measured with a measurement tape, mm.
2.5 months old
Height (fathers)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12
Height in cm, by stadiometer (Holtain Ltd, Crymych, UK) with a precision of 0.1 cm
Gestational week 12
Weight (fathers)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12
Weight in kilograms, by digital scale with a precision of 0.1 kg (SECA delta, model 707)
Gestational week 12
Biceps skinfold (father)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12
Skinfold measured above the biceps, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
Gestational week 12
Triceps skinfold(father)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12
Skinfold measured above the triceps, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
Gestational week 12
Flank skinfold (father)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12
Skinfold measured at the flank, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
Gestational week 12
Scapula skinfold (father)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12
Skinfold measured below the scapula all on the left side, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
Gestational week 12
Biceps skinfold (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Skinfold measured above the biceps, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
2.5 months old
Triceps skinfold (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Skinfold measured above the triceps, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
2.5 months old
Flank skinfold (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Skinfold measured at the flank, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
2.5 months old
Scapula skinfold (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Skinfold measured below the scapula all on the left side, measured in mm (Harpenden skinfold Caliper, British Indicators Ltd, London, UK)
2.5 months old
Asphyxia, adverse events (newborn)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Asphyxia (yes/no)
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Meconium, adverse events (newborn)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Meconium in amionic fluids (yes/no)
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Partus mode
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Partus mode (vaginal delivery, cesarean section, instrumental delivery) (yes/no)
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Birth weight (newborn)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Birth weight, grams
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Birth length (newborn)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Birth length, cm
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Gestational age (newborn)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Gestational age at birth, weeks and days
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within 1 year of study completion
Drug intake (mother)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient questionnaire postpartum within one year
Pre- and perinatal drug intake, filled in by mother during the whole prengancy every two weeks online
Retrieved from patient questionnaire postpartum within one year
Pregnancy outcome, preeclampsia (mother)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within one year
Preeclampsia (yes/no)
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within one year
Pregnancy outcome, gestational hypertension (mother)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within one year
Gestational hypertension (yes/no)
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within one year
Pregnancy outcome, induction of labor (mother)
Time Frame: Retrieved from patient files postpartum within one year
In duction of labor (yes/no)
Retrieved from patient files postpartum within one year
Medical history and exposure (parents)
Time Frame: Retrived from questionnaire within a half year
General- and reproductive health, the pregnancy, own birth weight, lifestyle, drinking and smoking habits from questionnaire
Retrived from questionnaire within a half year
Pubertal history (parents)
Time Frame: Retrived from questionnaire within a half year
Pubertal history including age at menarche, pubertal timing with regard to peers, age at menopause of the mother of the parents etc. from questionnaire
Retrived from questionnaire within a half year
Blood sample (mother)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12 and 2.5 months postpartum

Blood samples will be drawn from an antecubital vein and will be measured for steroid hormone metabolites and metabolites of reproductive hormones.

Testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), Estradiol, Estrone, Progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone: in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Sex hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG): Time-resolved immuno- flouroimmunoassay; Delfia, Turko, Finland.

Inhibin B: Specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Beckman Coulter GenII. Anti- Müllerian hormone (AMH): Specific enzyme immuno-metric assay; Immunotech Beckman Coulter.

INSL3: Time-resolved immuno- flouroimmunoassay. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 will be analyzed using an immunoassay (iSYS, iDS).

Gestational week 12 and 2.5 months postpartum
Urine sample (mother)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12 and 2.5 months postpartum

The urine sample will be collected in a cup and analyzed for:

Steroid hormone metabolites using in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

Glycoprotein hormones, specifically FSH and LH, using immunoassays.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals, specifically phthalates, phenols, perfluorinated compounds and parabens also using in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

Gestational week 12 and 2.5 months postpartum
Blood sample (father)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12

Blood samples will be drawn from an antecubital vein and will be measured for steroid hormone metabolites and metabolites of reproductive hormones:

Testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), Estradiol, Estrone, Progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone: in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Sex hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG): Time-resolved immuno- flouroimmunoassay; Delfia, Turko, Finland.

Inhibin B: Specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Beckman Coulter GenII. Anti- Müllerian hormone (AMH): Specific enzyme immuno-metric assay; Immunotech Beckman Coulter.

INSL3: Time-resolved immuno- flouroimmunoassay. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 will be analyzed using an immunoassay (iSYS, iDS).

Gestational week 12
Urine sample (father)
Time Frame: Gestational week 12

The urine sample will be collected in a cup and analyzed for:

Steroid hormone metabolites using in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

Glycoprotein hormones, specifically FSH and LH, using immunoassays.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals, specifically phthalates, phenols, perfluorinated compounds and parabens also using in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

Gestational week 12
Anogenital distance (AGD) (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Distance from anus to genital tubercle, measured in mm with a ruler
2.5 months old
Anogenital distance (AGD) (male and female infants)
Time Frame: App. gestational age 30 weeks
Distance from anus to genital tubercle, third trimester ultrasound
App. gestational age 30 weeks
Blood sample (female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
(estradiol and inhibin B, luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio)
2.5 months old
Blood sample (male infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Serum metabolites of reproductive hormones (AMH, inhibin B levels, ratios of inhibin B/FSH and LH/FSH)
2.5 months old
Classification of external genitalia with an external masculinization score (EMS) (male and female infants). EMS provides an objective aggregate score of the extent of masculinization of the external genitalia.
Time Frame: 2.5 months old

It is an individual score with a maximum of 12 points. The following is assessed:

Classification of genital tubercle, measured length with a ruler (mm) >30mm = 3 points, 21-30mm = 2 points, 11-20mm = 1 point,< 10mm = 0 points) Location of gonads, (objectively assessed): labioscrotal = 1,5 points, inguino-scrotal = 1, inguinal = 0,5 points, impalpable = 0 points Site of the urinary meatus (objectively assessed): typical male = 3 points, coronal/glandular = 2,5 points, penile = 2 points, peno-scrotal = 1,5 points, perineal = 0,5 points, typical female = 0 points.

Labia/scrotal fusion (objectively assessed): fused = 3 points, posterior fusion = 1,5 points, unfused = 0 points.

2.5 months old
Pubertal staging (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Pubertal staging using Tanners classification (including testicular size in boys assessed by Prader's orchidometer)
2.5 months old
Penile measurements (male infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Penile measurements with a ruler
2.5 months old
Epigenetic profiling (male and female infants)
Time Frame: Single determination, 2.5 months old
Epigenetic variation of loci regulating hormone signalling
Single determination, 2.5 months old
Urine sample (10 mL) (male and female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old

Steroid hormone metabolites using in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

Glycoprotein hormones, specifically FSH and LH, using immunoassays.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals, specifically phthalates, phenols, perfluorinated compounds and parabens also using in-house mass-spectrometry; Turboflow (LC-MS/MS).

2.5 months old
Medical report (mother)
Time Frame: Every 2 weeks from enrollment in early pregnancy to birth
Specific medical report on medicine consumption incl. analgesics
Every 2 weeks from enrollment in early pregnancy to birth
Genetic profiling (male and female infants)
Time Frame: Single determination, 2.5 months old
Genotyping of different genetic loci (genetic variation of loci regulating) hormone signalling, e.g. FSHB, etc.
Single determination, 2.5 months old
Endometrial thickness (female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Endometrial thickness, measured by abdominal ultrasound
2.5 months old
Uterine volume (female infants)
Time Frame: 2.5 months old
Uterine volume, measured by abdominal ultrasound
2.5 months old

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Anders Juul, Professor, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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)

March 1, 2020

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

April 1, 2022

Study Completion (Anticipated)

April 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 20, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 27, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

April 30, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 5, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 3, 2020

Last Verified

June 1, 2020

More Information

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.

Clinical Trials on Analgesic Adverse Reaction

Clinical Trials on Observational

3
Subscribe