ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT06940973SAFEUpdated Aug 21, 2026

Study of Abnormally Fertilized Embryos

An observational study in Infertility (IVF Patients), sponsored by Igenomix. Recruiting at 1 site in Spain. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 49 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-21.

Sponsored by Igenomix (part of Vitrolife) · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Jul 2025; still recruiting 1 year 4 months later.
Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
300
Ages
18 Years to 49 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The goal of this observational study is to determine the diploidy rate of haploid and triploid embryos from in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Can a molecular genetic fertilization check of abnormally fertilized embryos be used to expand opportunities for couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment?
  • Is the chromosomal loss or gain present in abnormally fertilized embryos predominantly maternal in origin?

For this purpose, we will evaluate the morphokinetics and ploidy of about 300 embryos with different types of abnormal pronuclear patterns (1PN, 2.1PN, and 3PN) that reach the blastocyst stage. Whenever possible, embryos with a non-diploid chromosomal complement will also be assessed to determine the origin (maternal or paternal) of the chromosomal set that has been lost or gained.

Study subjects will follow their previously scheduIed IVF/ICSI treatment and no additional visits/interventions will be required for participating.

Read the detailed description

Chromosomes are cellular structures containing the majority of the genetic information of a living organism. Gametes (oocytes and spermatozoa) contain only a single set of 23 chromosomes within structures known as pronuclei (PN). Upon fertilization, the 23 chromosomes from the oocyte and the 23 chromosomes from the sperm combine to form a 2PN zygote, which contains a total of 46 chromosomes.

In assisted reproduction (ART) laboratories, the embryologists can determine through morphological evaluation whether the fertilization process was normal (2PN) or abnormal (0PN, 1PN, or >2PN). For an ART treatment, only a successfully fertilized oocyte (2PN) that develops to the blastocyst stage may be suitable for embryo transfer. However, previous studies have demonstrated that some embryos from oocytes with abnormal fertilization may possess a normal chromosomal content and could be used in ARTs when embryos from normal fertilization are not available.

There are genetic analysis techniques to determine not only if an embryo is euploid (contains a normal number of chromosomes) but also to assess if it is haploid, diploid or triploid (1PN, 2.1PN, and 3PN respectively). These techniques may be applied to "rescue" embryos with abnormal fertilization that are currently being discarded. This approach could be beneficial for IVF patients with a limited number of viable embryos available (diminished ovarian reserve cases, advanced maternal age, poor response to ovarian stimulation, etc.).

The current prospective and observational study has been approved by the competent Research Ethics Committee and every potential participant will be asked to sign the study informed consent.

The 300 embryos that will be part of the study will be recruited in the laboratory of the collaborating center on the day of fertilization after performing the conventional IVF procedures. Following these same routine procedures, biological samples from both parents will also be stored to perform the genetic analysis to determine the origin of the chromosomal anomalies. A biopsy will be taken from the selected embryos when they reach the blastocyst stage for the genetic analysis that will allow detecting whether there is indeed any chromosomal anomaly. All embryos not confirmed as chromosomally normal will be thawed, washed, and cultured for a second biopsy to confirm their previous diagnosis and the origin of the chromosomal abnormalities. For this new analysis, in addition to the biopsies, individual samples of the culture media of the thawed blastocysts will be collected and stored. Samples will be shipped to Igenomix for the genetic research and further data analysis.

The expected duration of the study is 18 months. Embryos will be included in the participating center for an estimated period of 13 months. Participants involvement in the study is just linked to the moment of the consent form signature. Exceptionally, embryos from abnormal fertilization that were informed as chromosomally normal after the first biopsy can be considered to transfer providing there are no other embryos available. If the patient decides to proceed with the transfer, her clinical follow-up will be part of the study until achieving ongoing pregnancy (12 gestational weeks). After that, her participation in the study will end but her physician will continue monitoring the pregnancy until delivery, if applicable, in accordance with the standard clinical practice.

02

Conditions studied

  • Infertility (IVF Patients)

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Keywords

  • PGT-A
  • niPGT-A
  • Blastocyst
  • Infertility
  • In vitro fertilization
  • Ploidy
  • Embryo development
  • Time-lapse culture
  • Triploid
  • Haploid
  • Abnormal fertilization
  • Pronuclei
03

In context

Infertility

2,085 studies on the registry are indexed under Infertility; 357 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 300 is above the median of 200 across 592 observational studies indexed under Infertility.

Browse Infertility studies →

Lead sponsor

Igenomix is the lead sponsor of 31 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.

First submitted after Igenomix became part of Vitrolife.

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

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 49 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Embryos from subjects undergoing assisted reproductive treatment with oocytes exhibiting an abnormal number of pronuclei (1PN, 2.1PN, and/or 3PN). Recruitment of subjects for the study will be conducted through routine consultation with the principal investigator and collaborators, as long as they meet the selection criteria.

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • ART patients who sign the of the study.
  • Age: oocytes from women ≤ 49 years and semen from men ≤ 60 years. Donation of gametes is allowed.
  • ≥1 blastocysts from oocytes with an abnormal pronuclear pattern (1PN, 2.1PN, and/or 3PN) and with the presence of 2 polar bodies (PB), cultured in a time-lapse incubator.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • No exclusion criteria have been considered for this study.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
300 participants (estimated)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna

Groups and cohorts

  • Blastocysts from abnormally fertilized oocytes during assisted reproduction

    During the conventional ICSI/IVF procedures in the laboratory, the embryologist observing fertilization will identify embryos with an abnormal pronuclear pattern and preselect them for the study. These embryos will be cultured in a time-lapse incubator following the laboratory's standard practice. All recorded morphokinetic parameters, along with the corresponding images, will be documented. Each embryo will be monitored, its developmental quality assessed and recorded to determine whether it reaches the blastocyst stage. If so, the researchers will contact the patient to ask consent for these embryos to be included in the study. Embryos with an abnormal pronuclear pattern that fail to reach the blastocyst stage due to developmental blockage will be discarded. No drugs or medical devices will be used.

    Genetic: Parental samples · Diagnostic Test: PGT-A · Genetic: TE rebiopsies and spent blastocyst media collection

Interventions

  • GeneticParental samples

    On fertilization, following the conventional ICSI/IVF procedure, samples from cumulus cells (obtained during the routine oocyte denudation process) and surplus sperm cells present in seminal plasma will be retrieved. These samples will be stored frozen at -20°C until they are sent to Igenomix. There, they will be used to perform the genetic analysis required to achieve the study's objectives, provided the patient consents to participate. If the patient ultimately chooses not to participate, these samples will be destroyed. Parents may be asked to provide a saliva sample for the same purpose in cases where obtaining the samples during fertilization was not possible or if the collected samples were unsuitable for processing in the laboratory. The saliva sample may be collected at the clinic during one of the scheduled visits for reproductive treatment or, alternatively, by the parents at home using a kit provided by the clinic.

  • Diagnostic testPGT-A

    On day 3 of development, assisted hatching will be performed to facilitate biopsy at the blastocyst stage. Each embryo will be biopsied in the laboratory using conventional trophectoderm (TE) biopsy techniques on day +5, +6, or +7 of development, depending on when they reach the appropriate blastocyst stage. After biopsy, blastocyst will be vitrified following the clinical routine protocol and store until the genetic results are available. The biopsy samples will be placed in a PCR tube labeled with its corresponding study-specific code and stored in a cold rack at 4°C before being transferred to a freezer at -20°C. Finally, the samples will be sent to the Igenomix for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.

  • GeneticTE rebiopsies and spent blastocyst media collection

    After obtaining the PGT-A results, any embryo not genetically confirmed as euploid and without ploidy abnormalities will be thawed, washed, and cultured for rebiopsy. A complementary analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques will be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the origin of the abnormalities. For this additional analysis, in addition to the new biopsies, the individual culture medium of each embryo will be aspirated after an incubation period of 8 to 24 hours. The collected medium will be placed in PCR tubes and stored in a freezer at -20°C before being sent to the laboratory. Regardless the result of these complementary analysis, no rebiopsied blastocyst will be considered for clinical purposes.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Diploidy rate in haploid embryos from IVF/ICSI

    Number of 2PN blastocysts from abnormally fertilized oocytes (1PN)

    Time frame: 3 months

  2. Diploidy rate in triploid embryos from IVF/ICSI

    Number of 2PN blastocysts from abnormally fertilized oocytes (2.1PN and 3PN)

    Time frame: 3 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Origin of the chromosomal abnormalities in embryos with a non-diploid chromosomal content

    To determine the origin (maternal or paternal) of the chromosomal set that has been lost or gained.

    Time frame: 6 months

  2. Pregnancy rate of euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

    Number of patients with positive serum level of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG \> 25 mIU/ml) per embryo transfer. Beta-hCG will be measured at day 12±2 after the embryo transfer.

    Time frame: 2 weeks after the embryo transfer

  3. Implantation rate of euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

    Number of gestational sacs observed by vaginal ultrasound divided by the number of embryos transferred.

    Time frame: Up to 4 weeks after the embryo transfer

  4. Biochemical pregnancy rate of euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

    Number of pregnancies diagnosed only by β-hCG detection without a gestational sac visualized by vaginal ultrasound, per number of pregnancies.

    Time frame: 4 weeks after the embryo transfer with euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

  5. Ectopic pregnancy rate of euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

    Number of pregnancies outside the uterine cavity, diagnosed by ultrasound, surgical visualization or histopathology, per number of pregnancies.

    Time frame: 4-5 weeks after the embryo transfer

  6. Clinical miscarriage rate of euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

    Number of spontaneous pregnancy losses before week 12, in which a gestational sac/s was previously observed, per number of pregnancies.

    Time frame: Up to 12 gestational weeks

  7. Ongoing pregnancy rate of euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

    Number of pregnancies up to 12 gestational weeks (at least one fetus with a discernible heartbeat diagnosed) achieved per each embryo transfer.

    Time frame: Over 12 gestational weeks

  8. Voluntary termination rate of euploid embryos from abnormal fertilization

    Number of voluntary terminations before week 12 per number of pregnancies.

    Time frame: Up to 12 gestational weeks

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Equipo Médico Crespo Valencia
    Valencia, Valencia 46015, Spain
    Recruiting
    • Jose Teruel López, BSc MSc · Contactjteruel@juanacrespo.es · +34 961 042 557
    • María Escribá Suarez, BSc MSc · Principal investigator
    • Marina Benavent Martínez, BSc MSc · Principal investigator
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Jul 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Sep 2026, 14 months after the start.

Of 242 observational studies under Infertility, half reached primary completion within 39 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 16 and three quarters within 100. This study's planned 14 months is below that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Apr 16, 2025
First posted
Apr 23, 2025
StartActual
Jul 2, 2025
Primary completionEst.
Sep 2026
CompletionEst.
Sep 2026
Last update
Aug 21, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 21, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06940973
Lead sponsor
Igenomix
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Apr 23, 2025
Start date
Jul 2, 2025
Primary completion
Sep 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Sep 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 21, 2026

Study contacts

Carlos A Gomez De La Cruz, BSc MSc
Contact
carlos.gomez@igenomix.com
+34963905310
Pere Mir Pardo, PhD
principal investigator · Igenomix
Carmen Rubio Lluesa, PhD
principal investigator · Igenomix

Oversight

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

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