search
Back to results

Human Sperm Epigenetics in Embryonic Development. (EPI)

Primary Purpose

Male Infertility, Epigenetic Disorder

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Obtaining one or semen samples
Sponsored by
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional diagnostic trial for Male Infertility focused on measuring assisted reproductive technology, DNA fragmentation, histone, protamine, blastocyst

Eligibility Criteria

28 Years - 39 Years (Adult)MaleDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Men with a history of infertility. Sperm concentration must be >15 millions per ml.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • No vulnerable persons will be invited to participate.

Sites / Locations

    Arms of the Study

    Arm 1

    Arm 2

    Arm 3

    Arm Type

    Active Comparator

    Active Comparator

    Placebo Comparator

    Arm Label

    good embryo development in assisted reproduction

    poor embryo development in assisted reproduction

    natural conception

    Arm Description

    20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with normal embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal fertilization rate >50% and normal blastocyst development rate >50%).

    20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with poor embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal or slightly reduced fertilization rate <50% and low or absent blastocyst development (0 or only 1 blastocyst).

    20 previously infertile men, normal history, normal genital status, normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation rate <20% (as given by TUNEL) and achieving pregnancy naturally (without medical intervention).

    Outcomes

    Primary Outcome Measures

    Differences in chromatin density.
    Staining of the nucleus of spermatozoa with the fluorescent dye chromomycin

    Secondary Outcome Measures

    Normal and abnormal embryo development after assisted reproduction.
    Differences in distribution of epigenetic markers.

    Full Information

    First Posted
    January 27, 2020
    Last Updated
    February 10, 2020
    Sponsor
    University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
    Collaborators
    Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)
    search

    1. Study Identification

    Unique Protocol Identification Number
    NCT04256668
    Brief Title
    Human Sperm Epigenetics in Embryonic Development.
    Acronym
    EPI
    Official Title
    Identification and Characterization of Human Sperm Variation and Its Role in Embryonic Development.
    Study Type
    Interventional

    2. Study Status

    Record Verification Date
    February 2020
    Overall Recruitment Status
    Not yet recruiting
    Study Start Date
    April 1, 2020 (Anticipated)
    Primary Completion Date
    December 31, 2024 (Anticipated)
    Study Completion Date
    December 31, 2024 (Anticipated)

    3. Sponsor/Collaborators

    Responsible Party, by Official Title
    Sponsor
    Name of the Sponsor
    University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
    Collaborators
    Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)

    4. Oversight

    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
    No
    Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
    No
    Data Monitoring Committee
    No

    5. Study Description

    Brief Summary
    A total of 60 men (40 with a history of infertility and treatment with assisted reproduction and 20 infertile controls achieving conception naturally) will be asked to provide at least one semen sample each for conventional semen analysis including measurement of DNA-fragmentation and semen preparation with swim-up. The prepared semen sample will then analyzed by comprehensive microscopy analyses aiming at identifying distinct subpopulations of spermatozoa based on chromatin density and composition, mitochondrial and acrosome function and epigenetic markers. In addition, spermatozoa samples of selected individuals will be subjected to comprehensive analyses of the chromatin and RNA expression status using epigenomic approaches.
    Detailed Description
    Hitherto male infertility has been defined by conventional semen analysis only, which mainly consists of determining concentration, progressive mobility and morphology of spermatozoa. However, the diagnostic accuracy of conventional semen analysis is poor and has very limited relationship with the outcome of assisted reproductive medicine. Preliminary data suggest that differences in chromatin density and epigenetic status of sperm may be more relevant, in particular with respect to the growth and differentiation of early embryos. Chromatin density, morphology, mitochondrial status and epigenetic state in sperm of infertile men with disturbances of early embryo development in vitro will be compared with those of infertile men with normal embryo development and with fertile controls. Primary outcome: Features of chromatin density will be determined through staining of large numbers of spermatozoa. Differences in the staining results will be compared with known fertility outcome. Secondary outcome: Development of significant staining parameters towards the selection against sperm with reduced embryonic competence and/or in favor of sperm supporting embryonic development after assisted reproduction, thereby using flow cytometry and sorting (FACS) .

    6. Conditions and Keywords

    Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
    Male Infertility, Epigenetic Disorder
    Keywords
    assisted reproductive technology, DNA fragmentation, histone, protamine, blastocyst

    7. Study Design

    Primary Purpose
    Diagnostic
    Study Phase
    Not Applicable
    Interventional Study Model
    Parallel Assignment
    Model Description
    20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with normal embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal fertilization rate >50% and normal blastocyst development rate >50%). 20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with poor embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal or slightly reduced fertilization rate <50% and low or absent blastocyst development (0 or only 1 blastocyst). 20 previously infertile men, normal history, normal genital status, normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation rate <20% (as given by TUNEL) and achieving pregnancy naturally (without medical intervention).
    Masking
    InvestigatorOutcomes Assessor
    Masking Description
    Sperm samples will be collected, processed and stained at the hospital site (RME). Slides generated for imaging will be assigned an anonymous code, removing all possible patient identifiable features. Then the slides will be sent to the research laboratory (FMI) for further analysis.
    Allocation
    Non-Randomized
    Enrollment
    60 (Anticipated)

    8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

    Arm Title
    good embryo development in assisted reproduction
    Arm Type
    Active Comparator
    Arm Description
    20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with normal embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal fertilization rate >50% and normal blastocyst development rate >50%).
    Arm Title
    poor embryo development in assisted reproduction
    Arm Type
    Active Comparator
    Arm Description
    20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with poor embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal or slightly reduced fertilization rate <50% and low or absent blastocyst development (0 or only 1 blastocyst).
    Arm Title
    natural conception
    Arm Type
    Placebo Comparator
    Arm Description
    20 previously infertile men, normal history, normal genital status, normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation rate <20% (as given by TUNEL) and achieving pregnancy naturally (without medical intervention).
    Intervention Type
    Diagnostic Test
    Intervention Name(s)
    Obtaining one or semen samples
    Other Intervention Name(s)
    Semen analysis
    Intervention Description
    Through staining of semen samples with sets of dyes to measure features of chromatin density, nuclear morphology and mitochondrial status in large numbers of single spermatozoa and to compare differences in the staining results with known fertility outcome. Through comprehensive comparative epigenetic studies we anticipate to explain different efficiencies of sperm from men with seemingly normal semen quality in driving embryonic development.
    Primary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    Differences in chromatin density.
    Description
    Staining of the nucleus of spermatozoa with the fluorescent dye chromomycin
    Time Frame
    12 months
    Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
    Title
    Normal and abnormal embryo development after assisted reproduction.
    Description
    Differences in distribution of epigenetic markers.
    Time Frame
    24 months

    10. Eligibility

    Sex
    Male
    Minimum Age & Unit of Time
    28 Years
    Maximum Age & Unit of Time
    39 Years
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers
    No
    Eligibility Criteria
    Inclusion Criteria: Men with a history of infertility. Sperm concentration must be >15 millions per ml. Exclusion Criteria: No vulnerable persons will be invited to participate.
    Central Contact Person:
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name or Official Title & Degree
    Christian De Geyter, MD
    Phone
    +41 61 265 9315
    Email
    christian.degeyter@usb.ch
    Overall Study Officials:
    First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
    Christian De Geyter, MD
    Organizational Affiliation
    University Hospital
    Official's Role
    Principal Investigator

    12. IPD Sharing Statement

    Plan to Share IPD
    No

    Learn more about this trial

    Human Sperm Epigenetics in Embryonic Development.

    We'll reach out to this number within 24 hrs