CClinicalTrials.gg
Status unknownNCT05402605Updated Aug 30, 2022

AOA Versus Non-AOA in Low Prognosis Patients by the POSEIDON Criteria

An interventional study of ICSI with AOA and ICSI without AOA in in Vitro Fertilization, sponsored by Mỹ Đức Hospital. Status unknown at 1 site in Vietnam. Open to female participants aged 35 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-08-30.

Sponsored by Mỹ Đức Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

The sponsor has not verified this record recently (last verified Aug 2022), so the status shown — last known as Recruiting — may be out of date.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
528
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
35 Years to 45 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

Poor ovarian response (POR) remains one of the significant challenges of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Facing difficulties related to clinical practice, optimizing the embryo culture process is necessary to improve the embryo number and quality in this group of patients. Potential techniques mentioned in the current literature include follicular size at trigger, dual trigger, artificial oocyte activation (AOA), blastocyst transfer, and the role of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). AOA is currently expected to improve treatment outcomes in poor ovarian responders with the potential for clinical efficacy. However, this issue has not been evaluated before.

Read the detailed description

Poor ovarian response (POR) remains one of the significant challenges of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Patients with POR yield a low number of oocytes, leading to a low number of useable embryos and a decline in the live birth rate. According to the consensus of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in 2011, POR was diagnosed using Bologna criteria. However, some recent studies show the classification by Bologna is not efficient, because the oocyte number should be combined with female age since the likelihood of achieving a live birth among patients with similar oocyte yield ultimately depends on the age of the patient. In 2016, POSEIDON (Patient-Oriented Strategies Encompassing IndividualizeD Oocyte Number) Group was established and released the new criteria. The POSEIDON criteria proposed a shift from the terminology of POR to the concept of low prognosis. According to POSEIDON criteria, low prognosis account for 30-40% of all stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. The low prognosis patient is classified into four groups according to the results of ovarian reserve markers (AMH, AFC, or both), female age, and the number of oocytes retrieved in previous cycles, such as: maternal age \< 35, AMH ≥ 1,2 ng/ml and AFC ≥ 5 (subgroup 1a: \< 4 oocytes; subgroup 1b: 4-9 oocytes); maternal age ≥ 35, AMH ≥ 1,2 ng/ml and AFC ≥ 5 (subgroup 2a: \< 4 oocytes; subgroup 2b: 4-9 oocytes); maternal age \< 35, AMH \< 1,2 ng/ml and AFC \< 5; maternal age ≥ 35, AMH \< 1,2 ng/mL and AFC \< 5. Although many efforts have been made to improve treatment outcomes in this group of patients, such as researching, understanding, and modifying clinical ovarian stimulation regimens, the results are still not feasible. Especially, group 4, which have advanced maternal age (≥ 35) and seized for 14.4% of low prognosis, has a low cumulative live birth rate (11% in group 4). Female age is a critical element in the POSEIDON classification because age is crucially related to embryo ploidy and more importantly live birth outcome. The probability of having embryo ploidy sharply declined after the age of 34 and was lower than 50% in women aged 35 years and over. Therefore, patients in group 4 will have an increased risk of aneuploidy embryos, decreasing the live birth rate in these groups of patients. A recent study evaluated cumulative live birth rates per cycle, there was a remarkable difference between POSEIDON patients (21, 43, 10, 25, 29, and 17% in groups 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3, and 4, respectively) and non-POSEIDON counterparts (52%). Facing difficulties related to clinical practice, optimizing the embryo culture process is necessary to improve the embryo number and quality in the POR group. Potential techniques include follicular size at the trigger, dual trigger, artificial oocyte activation (AOA), blastocyst transfer, and the role of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A).

In Vietnam, AOA was first reported in 2011, performing on 1588 oocytes, and said the fertilization rate was higher in the ICSI - AOA than in the ICSI group (80.8% vs 74.3%, respectively; p\<0.002).

AOA is expected to improve treatment outcomes for low prognosis patients, especially in group 4 by the POSEIDON criteria with the potential for clinical efficacy and safety. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of AOA on treatment outcomes in low prognosis patients defined by the POSEIDON criteria (2016).

02

Conditions studied

  • in Vitro Fertilization

Keywords

  • POSEIDON
  • in vitro fertilization
  • live birth
  • low prognosis
  • AOA
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Mỹ Đức Hospital is the lead sponsor of 55 studies on the registry; 20 are open to participants now.

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

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
35 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Was diagnosed as low prognosis patients by the POSEIDON criteria in group 4: maternal age ≥ 35 years old, AMH \< 1,2 ng/ml and AFC \< 5
  • Cycles ≤ 3
  • Oocytes could be collected with OPU procedure
  • Ovarian stimulation with GnRH antagonist protocol
  • Agree to participate in the randomization

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Uterine abnormalities such as unicornuate, bicornuate uterus, didelphys and adenomyosis
  • Recent history of any current untreated endocrine abnormality
  • Gonadotropin resistance syndrome
  • Contraindications of gonadotropins
  • Absolute asthernozoospermia
  • Cryptozoospermia
  • Surgical sperm retrieval
  • Previous low fertilization (\< 30%)
  • Globozoospermia
  • Cycles using donor oocytes
  • Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) cycles
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
528 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    ICSI with AOA

    The oocytes were transferred into the calcium ionophore activation solution for two times of post-ICSI AOA (Ionomycin concentration of 10 µM). Then the oocytes will be washed several times using the medium drops in dish AOA and dish ICSI, then divided into drops with maximum 3 oocytes per drop for culturing. After that, the culture dish will be put in the K-system G185 incubator at 37oC, 6% CO2, and 5% O2.

    Procedure: ICSI with AOA

  • Active comparator
    ICSI without AOA

    Post-ICSI oocytes will be cultured in drops containing the Sage - 1 - StepSM medium (maximum 3 oocytes per drop) at 37oC, 6% CO2 and 5% O2 in K-system G185 incubator.

    Procedure: ICSI without AOA

Interventions

  • ProcedureICSI with AOA

    Step 1: All post-ICSI oocytes will be added in the medium drop in AOA dish, these oocytes will be placed in the incubator at 37oC, 6% CO2, and 5% O2 for 20 minutes. Step 2: After 20 minutes, calcium ionophore stock (Sigma-Aldrich - USA) will be diluted into 10µM drops in AOA dish. Step 3: After 10 minutes of incubation, all post-ICSI oocytes will be moved to the AOA drop, then this dish will be put back in the incubator for 10 minutes. Step 4: After 10 minutes, all the oocytes in drop AOA will be moved to another drop for rinsing and then put back in the incubator for 20 minutes. Step 5: After 20 minutes, the oocytes will be moved into drop AOA and then put back in the incubator for 10 minutes. Step 6: After 10 minutes, all post-ICSI oocytes will be added in the medium drop, then divided into drops with maximum 3 oocytes per drop for culturing. After that, the culture dish will be put in the K-system G185 incubator at 37oC, 6% CO2, and 5% O2

  • ProcedureICSI without AOA

    Conventional ICSI procedure will be performed without the application of AOA.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Live birth rate

    The complete expulsion or extraction from a woman of a product of fertilisation, after 24 completed weeks of gestational age; which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as heart beat, umbilical cord pulsation or definite movement of voluntary muscles, irrespective of whether the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached. A birth weight of 350 grams or more can be used if gestational age is unknown (twins are a single count).

    Time frame: At 24 weeks of gestation

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fertilization rate

    The percentage of transformation of micro injected oocytes into two pronuclei

    Time frame: One day after oocyte retrieval

  2. Fertilization failure rate

    The percentage transformation of micro injected oocytes into no pronuclei

    Time frame: One day after oocyte retrieval

  3. Abnormal fertilization rate

    The percentage transformation of micro injected oocytes into more than two pronuclei

    Time frame: One day after oocyte retrieval

  4. Total embryos on day 3

    Number of embryos on day 3

    Time frame: Three days after oocyte retrieval

  5. Good quality day 3 embryo rate

    Number of good quality embryos on day 3

    Time frame: Three days after oocyte retrieval

  6. Total embryos blastocyst

    Number of embryos on day 5

    Time frame: Five days after oocyte retrieval

  7. Good quality blastocyst rate

    Number of good quality embryos on day 5

    Time frame: Five days after oocyte retrieval

  8. Positive pregnancy test

    Serum ß-hCG ≥25mIU/mL

    Time frame: At 2 weeks after embryo placement

  9. Implantation rate

    Implantation rate is explained as as the number of gestational sacs per number of embryos transferred.

    Time frame: At 3 weeks after embryo placement

  10. Cumulative implantation rate at 12 months

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative implantation rate. Cumulative implantation is total case of gestational sacs per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  11. Clinical pregnancy

    Having at least 1 gestational sac on ultrasound at 5 weeks' gestation

    Time frame: At 7 weeks after embryo placement]

  12. Cumulative clinical pregnancy at 12 months

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate. Cumulative Clinical pregnancy is total case clinical pregnancy per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  13. Ongoing pregnancy

    Having at least 1 gestational sac on ultrasound at 12 weeks' gestation with heart beat activity

    Time frame: At 12 weeks after embryo placement

  14. Cumulative ongoing pregnancy at 12 months

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate. Cumulative ongoing pregnancy is total case ongoing pregnancy per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  15. Ectopic pregnancy

    A pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, diagnosed by ultrasound, surgical visualisation, or histopathology

    Time frame: At 12 weeks of gestation

  16. Cumulative ectopic pregnancy at 12 months

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative ectopic pregnancy rate. Cumulative ectopic pregnancy is total case ectopic pregnancy per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  17. Miscarriage

    The spontaneous loss of an intra-uterine pregnancy prior to 12 completed weeks of gestational age

    Time frame: At 12 weeks of gestation

  18. Cumulative miscarriage

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative miscarriage rate. Cumulative miscarriage is total case miscarriage per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  19. Multiple pregnancy

    ≥1 gestational sac at early pregnancy ultrasound

    Time frame: At 6 to 8 weeks' gestation

  20. Cumulative multiple pregnancy

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative multiple pregnancy rate. Cumulative multiple pregnancy is total case multiple pregnancy per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  21. Vanishing twins

    Vanishing twins is defined as a pregnancy with two or more gestational sacs or positive heart beats at 7 weeks of gestation, but only one at 12 weeks' gestation.

    Time frame: At 12 weeks' gestation

  22. Cumulative vanishing twins

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative vanishing twins rate. Cumulative vanishing twins is total case vanishing twins per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  23. Multiple delivery

    Birth of more than one baby beyond 24 weeks

    Time frame: At 24 weeks' gestation

  24. Cumulative multiple delivery

    After 12 months, most patients doing IVF have finished all their frozen embryos; therefore, we consider this time point for analyzing the cumulative multiple delivery rate. Cumulative multiple delivery is total case multiple delivery per total patient to be enrolled into the study at 12 months after randomization

    Time frame: 12 months after randomization

  25. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

    Pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

    Time frame: At 20 weeks of gestation or beyond after the completion of the first transfer

  26. Gestational diabetes mellitus

    using a 75g oral glucose tolerance test

    Time frame: At 24 to 28 weeks of gestation

  27. Cumulative live birth rate

    Cumulative live birth rate at 12 months after the randomization.

    Time frame: At 24 weeks of gestation

  28. Birth weight

    Weight of singletons and twins

    Time frame: At the time of delivery

  29. Low birth weight

    Weight \< 2500 gm at birth

    Time frame: At birth

  30. Major congenital abnormalities

    Structural, functional, and genetic anomalies, that occur during pregnancy, and identified antenatally, at birth, or later in life, and require surgical repair of a defect, or are visually evident, or are life-threatening, or cause death. Any congenital anomaly will be included as followed definition of congenital abnormalities in Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies by Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, NCBDDD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020).

    Time frame: At birth

  31. High birth weight

    Weight \>4000 gm at birth

    Time frame: At birth

  32. Very low birth weight

    Weight \< 1500 gm at birth

    Time frame: At birth

  33. Large for gestational age

    defined as birth weight \>90th centile for gestation, based on standardised ethnicity based charts

    Time frame: At birth

  34. small for gestational age

    defined as less than 10th centile for gestational age at delivery based on standardised ethnicity based charts

    Time frame: At birth

  35. Very high birth weight

    Weight \>4500 gm at birth

    Time frame: At birth

  36. Antepartum haemorrhage

    including placenta previa, placenta accreta and unexplained

    Time frame: At birth

  37. Perinatal mortality

    the death of a fetus or infant from 24 weeks of gestation to the end of the neonatal period of 4 weeks after birth.

    Time frame: 24 weeks of gestation to the end of the neonatal period of 4 weeks after birth

  38. Admission to NICU

    The admittance of the newborn to NICU

    Time frame: At birth

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 30, 2022, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05402605
Lead sponsor
Mỹ Đức Hospital
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Jun 2, 2022
Start date
Aug 29, 2022
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2023 (estimated)
Completion
Jun 30, 2024 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 30, 2022

Study contacts

Tuong M Ho, M.D
Contact
tuongho.ivfmd@gmail.com
+84903633377‬
Kha T Huynh, MSc
Contact
kha.ht@myduchospital.vn
+84946699470
Tuong M Ho, M.D
principal investigator · Mỹ Đức Hospital

Oversight

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

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