Active clinical trials for "Infertility"

Selection of developmentally competent oocytes enhances IVF efficiency. Usually, oocyte quality is determined based on its nuclear maturation and the presence of specific cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic morphologic features. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH Agonists) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH Antagonists) are used during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols in order to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and premature ovulation. However, GnRH receptors are also expressed in extra-pituitary tissues such as ovary, but it is still unknown whether the type of GnRH analogues used during COS could affect the oocyte morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. The aim of this prospective, non-randomised, open-label, clinical trial is to compare the effects of two pituitary suppression regimens; GnRH Agonist-Long Protocol and GnRH Antagonist-Flexible Protocol on oocyte morphology in PCOS patients during IVF/ICSI.

Male from infertile couples are tested for semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation. Any case with high DNA fragmentation index (DFI) will be randomized indicated for multi-micro nutrient supplement (PROfortil™) in 3 months and then checked again post-treatment for (DFI). The IVF/ICSI cycles will be analyzed for pregnancy outcomes

The widespread availability of efficient contraception as well as women's increased education has led to childbearing postponement. Combined with the increased recognition of the concept of "ovarian aging", this has opened the Pandora´s box of EOC, which is currently considered a safe and cost-efficient approach among assisted reproduction techniques. Previous studies have shown that two main factors determine the CLBR after EOC: 1) patient's age at the time of oocyte banking, and 2) the number of oocytes retrieved. Therefore, measures aiming at increasing the oocyte yield, specially the number of mature oocytes retrieved, will maximize the success of this technique. In the last few years, the dual trigger for final oocyte maturation has emerged has an approach that seems to improve both oocyte yield and quality when compared to the hCG trigger alone. Nowadays, the standard of care in EOC patients is final oocyte maturation with a single bolus of GnRH-a. Understanding the impact of the dual trigger on the number of MII oocytes retrieved in patients undergoing EOC will improve the treatment protocols and allow for a better patient counselling.

Chronic endometritis is an inflammatory condition of the endometrium. This inflammation can negatively affect fertility and pregnancy. The pathology is frequently (+-10%) observed in women with fertility problems. Today, diagnosis of chronic endometritis is not evident, since no well-validated classification scales are available. In the UZ Brussel the pathology department applies its own in-house scoring system, based on the presence and position of plasma cells within the histological images. Despite limited research so far, it recently became clear that the endometrium is colonized by micro-organisms (the microbiome). However, it is still unclear what role these microorganisms play in chronic endometritis and fertility problems. Chronic endometritis is often diagnosed in the context of fertility problems, and the patient is treated 'blindly' with broad-spectrum antibiotics such as doxycycline. Broad-spectrum antibiotics unnecessarily eradicate many microorganisms in our body, including the ones that positively influence implantation. The exact cause of chronic endometritis is unknown, so treatment remains empirical. The research and knowledge in the endometrial microbiome is constantly expanding, mainly due to the rise of research into the links between pathologies and human microbiota. It is becoming increasingly clear that the composition of the microbiome can play a vital role in health and disease. Regarding the influence of the endometrial microbiome on different pathologies, such as chronic endometritis and implantation failure or miscarriage, there is still no consensus. Despite multiple studies on the endometrial microbiome, we are not yet able to define a normal or healthy endometrial microbiome. In this project, we want to gain insight into the microorganisms that are present in the female reproductive tract based on various techniques. The analyses will performed on an endometrial biopsy and a vaginal swab. The biopsy is routinely taken at Brussels IVF for the detection of plasma cells in the anatomopathology lab for the diagnosis of chronic endometritis. In the microbiology lab we will investigate which microorganisms are present in the female reproductive tract with and without the histological diagnosis of chronic endometritis. This will be done based on the state-of-the-art analytical techniques metagenomics (sequencing) and culturomics (culture).

This is a prospective comparative randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of two GnRH agonist trigger protocols on the ongoing pregnancy rate in hyper-responder women undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

The purpose of this randomized, two-arm and open label study is to demonstrate that the treatment of a daily dose of 3x10mg dydrogesterone orally is as effective and safe as the daily dose Crinone 8% intravaginal progesterone gel 90 mg for the luteal support in women who are unable to conceive a child and are undergoing IVF. The treatment will start on the day of oocyte retrieval and continue until pregnancy is negative or until week 12 gestation. Patients will be followed during treatment until 30 days after delivery to record any safety and tolerability data of the patient and their newborn (s).

Trial to determine the absolute and relative efficacy of two follicular preparation regimens with transdermal testosterone during the cycle (s) prior to the initiation of COS (controlled ovarian stimulation) in patients diagnosed with POR (poor ovarian response) for the increase in the number of mature oocytes recovered.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of low dose liraglutide in combination with metformin compared to metformin alone on IVF pregnancy rate (PR) and cumulatively PR (IVF and spontaneous) in infertile obese women with PCOS who had been previously poor responders regarding weight reduction with lifestyle modification and resistant to first line reproductive treatments.

The trial aims to investigate whether acupuncture has an effect in increasing clinical pregnancy (pregnancy that is confirmed by a scan) and live birth rates on women undergoing IVF treatment.

Infertility has been currently recognized as a disorder related to obesity. Among several metabolic changes associated with obesity, insulin resistance appears to be linked to hormonal disorders that affect reproductive system. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones involved in energy balance regulation and are also associated with reproductive system regulation, but its relationship with infertility is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of a hypocaloric diet with different glycemic indexes on ghrelin and leptin levels, hormonal, metabolic and reproductive parameters in infertile overweight or obese women candidates to in vitro fertilization. The patients who meet the inclusion criteria and accept to participate in the study, will be allocated in one of the following groups: Hypocaloric Low Glycemic Index diet group; Hypocaloric Conventional diet group or Control group (maintenance of usual diet) and follow the study protocol for 12 week. Immediately after the end of the diet protocol, the patients will be submitted to the in vitro fertilization treatment.