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CompletedNCT04142190Updated Oct 29, 2019

Corifollitropin Alfa and Embryo Morphokinetics

An observational study in Infertility, sponsored by Kinderwunsch Institut GmbH. Completed at 1 site in Austria. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 42 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2019-10-29.

Sponsored by Kinderwunsch Institut GmbH · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Retrospective
Enrollment
1,351
Ages
18 Years to 42 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

The study evaluates the influence of corifollitropin alfa (Elonva) on embryo morphokinetics and fertility treatment outcome in comparison to a control group stimulated with Follitropin beta (Puregon).

Read the detailed description

Morphokinetic parameters of embryo development have been intensively investigated. However, little attention has been paid to the influence of ovarian stimulation on morphokinetic parameters. Gryshenko et al. found a significant difference in the fourth cell division time (t5) of embryos obtained after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in long GnRH agonists and GnRH antagonist protocols. Furthermore, higher gonadotropin doses were found to slow down the development of the embryos.

Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of corifollitropin alfa (Elonva) on embryo morphokinetics and fertility treatment outcome in comparison to a control group stimulated with Follitropin beta (Puregon). The investigators hypothesize that there are differences in morphokinetic behavior of embryos within the different stimulation protocols.

A total of 742 embryos from 215 different patients suffering from infertility undergoing ovarian stimulation with Elonva and a total of 5148 embryos from 1136 patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with Puregon will be retrospectively analyzed. To exclude environmental factors the evaluation will distinguish between embryos cultured under 21% oxygen and embryos with reduced oxygen conditions (5% oxygen) in the embryoscope. Groups will be age and BMI matched.

All women included in the study underwent GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) antagonist protocol controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Patients received recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (Elonva; MSD Sharp \&Dohme GMBH, Puregon; MSD Sharp \& Dohme GMBH). ELONVA was administered for 7 days with subsequent administration of Puregon (MSD Sharp \& Dohme GMBH) in case of further need of stimulation. Puregon was administered for 8-10 days with dosage adaption according to age, weight, serum anti-mullerian hormone (sAMH) concentration, and hormonal status. Trans-vaginal sonography was performed after 5 days of stimulation, followed by every second day until the day of oocyte retrieval. Ultrasonographical measurement was performed using a RIC 5-9-D 4D intravaginal probe of a GE Voluson E8 BT09 ultrasound machine (both from GE Healthcare Austria GmbH). GnRH antagonist (Cetrotide, Merck KGaA) was injected to avoid premature ovulation. Triggering was initiated 35 h before oocyte retrieval, administered with 5000-10,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) subcutaneously (Pregnyl, N.V. Organon), with dosage adaption according to body weight of the patient.

Follicles larger than 10 mm in diameter were aspirated under sedation (Propofol, Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH; Rapifen, Janssen-Cilag Pharma GmbH) and transvaginal ultrasound guidance (GE Healthcare Austria GmbH). Follicular fluid (FF) were examined for oocytes under constant conditions of 37 °C in an IVF workstation L24E with heating stage (K-SYSTEMS Kivex Biotec A/S). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was performed on all metaphase II (MII) oocytes 4-5h after oocyte retrieval according to our standard operating procedure in both groups of patients.

After oocyte retrieval and fertilization, oocytes were cultivated in universal culture medium (Gynemed Medizinprodukte GmbH \& Co. KG, Germany). After 14-16 h, fertilization check was performed. All normal fertilized embryos with two pronuclei (PN) were then cultured using Embryoslide dishes in Embryoscope® time-lapse incubator (both Vitrolife AB, Sweden). With the built-in camera and microscope, images of the developing embryo were taken every 15 min in seven different layers. Definition of morphokinetic parameters was performed according to the criteria proposed by Ciray et al. and was analyzed with software developed for time-lapse image analysis (Embryoviewer® software; Vitrolife AB, Sweden).

02

Conditions studied

  • Infertility

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Keywords

  • follicle-stimulating hormone
  • embryo morphokinetics
  • reproductive medicine
03

In context

Infertility

2,506 studies on the registry are indexed under Infertility; 407 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 1,351 is above the median of 200 across 714 observational studies indexed under Infertility.

Browse Infertility studies →

Lead sponsor

Kinderwunsch Institut GmbH is the lead sponsor of 2 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 42 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Women suffering from infertility

Inclusion criteria

  • Age: 18-42
  • BMI: 19-29.9
  • Primary or secondary infertility
  • Ovarian stimulation with Elonva/Puregon
  • Embryos cultured in embryoscope

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • unexpected low response
  • genetic testing
05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Retrospective
Enrollment
1,351 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • ELONVA

    Patients stimulated with Elonva

    Drug: ELONVA

  • PUREGON

    Patients stimulated with Puregon

    Drug: PUREGON

Interventions

  • DrugELONVA

    Elonva is a solution for injection that contains the active substance corifollitropin alfa. It is available as a pre-filled syringe (100 and 150 micrograms).Elonva is used in women who are undergoing fertility treatment to stimulate the development of more than one mature egg at a time in the ovaries.

  • DrugPUREGON

    Puregon contains the active substance follitropin beta. fertilisation). Puregon is administered to stimulate the ovaries to produce more than one egg at a time

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Time of pronuclei disappearance

    Time of pronuclei disappearance in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 16-18 hours after fertilization

  2. Two discrete cells

    The first observation of two discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 26-28 hours after fertilization

  3. Three discrete cells

    The first observation of three discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 28-44 hours after fertilization

  4. Four discrete cells

    The first observation of four discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 44-45 hours after fertilization

  5. Five discrete cells

    The first observation of five discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 44-68 hours after fertilization

  6. Six discrete cells

    The first observation of six discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 44-68 hours after fertilization

  7. Seven discrete cells

    The first observation of seven discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 44-68 hours after fertilization

  8. Eight discrete cells

    The first observation of eight discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 68-69 hours after fertilization

  9. Nine discrete cells

    The first observation of nine discrete cells in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 69-92 hours after fertilization

  10. Morula stage

    End of the compaction process; when observable compaction is complete in embryos of patients stimulated with ELONVA versus embryos of patients stimulated with PUREGON

    Time frame: 92 hours after fertilization

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of oocytes retrieved

    The influence of ELONVA versus PUREGON on the number of oocytes retrieved will be assessed.

    Time frame: Number of oocytes retrieved will be evaluated after one treatment cycle (each cycle is between 28 and 35 days)

  2. Stage of oocyte development

    The influence of ELONVA versus PUREGON on the maturity stage of oocytes (germinal vesicle, metaphase I (MI) or MII phase) retrieved will be assessed.

    Time frame: Stage of oocytes retrieved will be evaluated after one treatment cycle (each cycle is between 28 and 35 days)

  3. Fertilized oocytes

    The influence of ELONVA versus PUREGON on the number of fertilized oocytes will be assessed.

    Time frame: Number of fertilized oocytes will be evaluated after one treatment cycle (each cycle is between 28 and 35 days)

  4. Embryo grading

    The influence of ELONVA versus PUREGON on embryo grading (Istanbul consensus criteria) will be assessed. The grading consists of assessment of cell number, fragmentation, multinucleation, cell size, cytoplasmic granularity, membrane appearance, and the presence of vacuoles).

    Time frame: The quality of embryos will be evaluated after one treatment cycle (each cycle is between 28 and 35 days)

  5. Biochemical pregnancy (measurement of beta hCG)

    The influence of Elonva versus Puregon on the number of biochemical pregnancies will be assessed.

    Time frame: Biochemical pregnancies will be evaluated after successful implantation (1 week after embryo transfer)

  6. Life birth

    The influence of Elonva versus Puregon on the number of life births will be assessed.

    Time frame: Life births will be evaluated after successful pregnancy (9 moths after embryo transfer)

  7. Weight (kilograms)

    The influence of Elonva versus Puregon on the weight of the newborn will be assessed.

    Time frame: Weight of the newborn will be evaluated after birth (9 moths after embryo transfer)

  8. Height (centimeters)

    The influence of Elonva versus Puregon on the height of the newborn will be assessed.

    Time frame: Height of the newborn will be evaluated after birth (9 moths after embryo transfer)

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Das Kinderwunsch Institut Schenk GmbH
    Dobl, Styria 8143, Austria
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Gryshchenko MG, Pravdyuk AI, Parashchyuk VY. Analysis of factors influencing morphokinetic characteristics of embryos in ART cycles. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2014 Oct;30 Suppl 1:6-8. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2014.945763. PubMed 25200818 ↗
  • Wissing ML, Bjerge MR, Olesen AI, Hoest T, Mikkelsen AL. Impact of PCOS on early embryo cleavage kinetics. Reprod Biomed Online. 2014 Apr;28(4):508-14. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.11.017. Epub 2013 Dec 17. PubMed 24581983 ↗
  • Chawla M, Fakih M, Shunnar A, Bayram A, Hellani A, Perumal V, Divakaran J, Budak E. Morphokinetic analysis of cleavage stage embryos and its relationship to aneuploidy in a retrospective time-lapse imaging study. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2015 Jan;32(1):69-75. doi: 10.1007/s10815-014-0372-3. Epub 2014 Nov 14. PubMed 25395178 ↗
  • Armstrong S, Vail A, Mastenbroek S, Jordan V, Farquhar C. Time-lapse in the IVF-lab: how should we assess potential benefit? Hum Reprod. 2015 Jan;30(1):3-8. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deu250. Epub 2014 Oct 14. PubMed 25316446 ↗
  • Milewski R, Kuc P, Kuczynska A, Stankiewicz B, Lukaszuk K, Kuczynski W. A predictive model for blastocyst formation based on morphokinetic parameters in time-lapse monitoring of embryo development. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2015 Apr;32(4):571-9. doi: 10.1007/s10815-015-0440-3. Epub 2015 Feb 18. PubMed 25690157 ↗
  • VerMilyea MD, Tan L, Anthony JT, Conaghan J, Ivani K, Gvakharia M, Boostanfar R, Baker VL, Suraj V, Chen AA, Mainigi M, Coutifaris C, Shen S. Computer-automated time-lapse analysis results correlate with embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy: a blinded, multi-centre study. Reprod Biomed Online. 2014 Dec;29(6):729-36. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.09.005. Epub 2014 Sep 21. PubMed 25444507 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided — It has to be clarified with MERCK if sharing of data is applicable for this project.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Oct 29, 2019, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04142190
Lead sponsor
Kinderwunsch Institut GmbH
Collaborators
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Oct 29, 2019
Start date
Jan 2013
Primary completion
Dec 2018
Completion
Dec 2018
Last update
Oct 29, 2019

Study contacts

Michael Schenk, Dr.
principal investigator · Das Kinderwunsch Institut Schenkg GmbH

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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