Comparison Between Three Freezing Protocols to Preserve Human Embryos

The recruitment status of this study is unknown because the information has not been verified recently.
Verified May 2009 by Erasme University Hospital.
Recruitment status was  Recruiting
Sponsor:
Information provided by:
Erasme University Hospital
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00910390
First received: May 28, 2009
Last updated: July 7, 2010
Last verified: May 2009

May 28, 2009
July 7, 2010
April 2009
October 2009   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Survival embryo rate [ Time Frame: one year ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
Same as current
Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00910390 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site
Delivery rate [ Time Frame: one year ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
Same as current
Not Provided
Not Provided
 
Comparison Between Three Freezing Protocols to Preserve Human Embryos
Randomized Comparison to Freeze Human Embryos by Either Vitrification or Slow Freezing Protocols

This randomized study compares three different freezing methods to store human in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos: vitrification with two commercial kits or slow freezing. After information, all patients undergoing IVF treatment can be included in the study. If qualified, embryos at different developmental stages will be allocated between the three methods. At the end of the first year survival and developmental rates, and implantation and pregnancy rates will be analyzed in order to determine the best method.

Despite all the advances achieved in vitro fertilized treatments, it is known that the chances of implantation for fertilised in vitro embryo remain limited, at around 20%. Cryopreservation of supernumerary embryos produced during IVF cycles provides an opportunity for patients to increase the number of transfers per oocyte harvest cycle, increasing then their chances of conception.

The freezing technique may involve different media and methods, which lead to different survival and developmental rates after thawing.

Vitrification is a new freezing method, which consists in exposing cells to high concentrations of cryoprotectants and then cooling them ultra-rapidly; this induces an increase in viscosity which favours the formation of a vitreous state without any ice crystals formation. This method contrasts with the slow freezing method (currently employed), which is based on exposure to very low concentrations of cryoprotectants combined with long cooling times and associated with a higher risk of ice crystal formation.

Both methods can reduce cell survival and embryo ability to develop, either by the high concentrations of cryoprotectants in case of vitrification, or by ice crystals formation in case of slow freezing. The advantages of vitrification in embryology may be considerable because embryos seem more sensitive to ice crystal formation than to cyroportectant concentration; consequently, the elimination of office crystal injury may increase their survival chances. Additionally in the case of vitrification, the time required for equilibration and cooling is considerably reduced as well as the need for expensive equipment such as programmable machine is eliminated.

At present, vitrification and slow freezing are used for the cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos at all stages of development. Encouraging results have been obtained with vitrification, but no study has randomly compared in one study, the two protocols and cryoprotectors. The purpose of this clinic randomised study is to compare three treatments: traditional slow freezing method currently employed (control group) and two different commercial vitrification methods (experimental groups) to assess the efficacy that this technique may involve.

Interventional
Not Provided
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Primary Purpose: Treatment
In Vitro Fertilization
  • Procedure: Slow freezing method with propane diol
    Embryos at different developmental stages will be frozen using a solution that contains propanediol and sucrose, individually placed in high security straws, cooled with a programmator and stored in liquid nitrogen.
    Other Names:
    • Home-made solutions
    • propanediol
  • Procedure: Vitrification solution - Irvine
    Embryos at different developmental stages will be frozen using the vitrification solution according to the manufacturer's instructions, individually placed in high security vitrification devices and plunged directly in liquid nitrogen for storing.
    Other Names:
    • IRVINE, California
    • ethylene glycol
    • DMSO
  • Procedure: Vitrification solution - vitrolife
    Embryos at different developmental stages will be frozen using the vitrification solution according to the manufacturer's instructions, individually placed in high security vitrification devices and plunged directly in liquid nitrogen for storing.
    Other Names:
    • VITROLIFE, Sweden
    • ethylene glycol
    • propanediol
  • Active Comparator: SF
    Embryos will be frozen with the standard slow freezing method.
    Intervention: Procedure: Slow freezing method with propane diol
  • Experimental: VIT-Irvine
    Embryos will be frozen using the vitrification solution provided by Irvine.
    Intervention: Procedure: Vitrification solution - Irvine
  • Experimental: VIT-Vitrolife
    Embryos will be frozen using the vitrification solution provided by Vitrolife.
    Intervention: Procedure: Vitrification solution - vitrolife

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.
 
Recruiting
400
May 2011
October 2009   (final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Infertility requiring IVF

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Women's age > 43 years
  • Patients positive for hepatitis B or C
  • Patients positive for HIV
Female
18 Years to 43 Years
Yes
Contact: Giovanna Fasano, B.Sc. 003225554521 Giovanna.Fasano@erasme.ulb.ac.be
Contact: Anne Delbaere, Ph.D. 003225554577 Anne.Delbaere@erasme.ulb.ac.be
Belgium
 
NCT00910390
VITR-1-EMBRYOS
No
Fasano Giovanna, Hospital Erasme, IVF laboratory
Erasme University Hospital
Not Provided
Study Director: Anne Delbaere, Ph.D. Fertility Clinic, Hospital Erasme
Erasme University Hospital
May 2009

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP