Clinical Research Directory

Towards Optimal Fertility, Fathering and Fatherhood studY

This case-control study involving fertile and subfertile couples aims to identify male factors related to pregnancy likelihood, create a fertility index measure combining male and female factors to predict pregnancy likelihood, and examine how male factors relate to the semen physical and biological characteristics.

Mobile Phone Messaging to Improve Reproductive Health for Women Living With HIV in Kenya (Mobile WACh Empower)

Use of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention to provide reproductive life counseling to women living with HIV may improve delivery of integrated reproductive health/HIV services and prevent adverse reproductive health outcomes. The proposed study will evaluate SMS platform and reproductive health counseling intervention in a cluster randomized controlled trial among women receiving routine HIV care, and plan for future implementation with qualitative and health economic analyses.

Outcome Evaluation After Fertility Preservation

It is important to evaluate outcomes after different fertility preservation strategies. Therefore, this study aims to assess the outcomes after different fertility preservation strategies and identify any factors that may affect their reproductive outcome.

Luteal Phase Support in IUI MOH Treatment Luteal Phase Support in IUI MOH Treatment

The LUMO study is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that evaluates the effectivity of luteal phase support in MOH/IUI treatment.

Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation (TTC)

The "Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation" study is open to a subset of patients facing disease or treatment regimens that could lead to infertility (gonadotoxic therapies). For some of these patients, experimental testicular tissue cryopreservation is the only fertility preservation option available. The overall objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of testicular tissue cryopreservation in male patients of all ages who have a condition or will undergo a treatment that can cause infertility.

Intervening on Women's Health for Rural Young Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of a multi-component intervention to improve young female cancer survivors' engagement in goal-concordant reproductive health care. The investigators hypothesize that implementation of the intervention will result in increased young cancer survivors' engagement in goal-concordant reproductive health care.

Weight Management Plus LNG-IUS/Megestrol Acetate in Endometrial Atypical Hyperplasia

To investigate the efficacy of weight management plus levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) or megestrol acetate (MA) in obese patients with endometrial atypical hyperplasia (EAH) asking for conservative therapy.

Weight Management Plus Megestrol Acetate in Early-stage Endometrioid Carcinoma

To investigate the efficacy of weight management plus megestrol acetate in obese patients with early endometrioid carcinoma（EEC）asking for fertility-sparing treatment

Frame Support Study

This is a randomized, controlled pilot study evaluating an intervention of non-significant risk. Potential subjects will be women who have completed an initial new patient consultation at one of the participating fertility clinics. Approximately 400 subjects will be enrolled from multiple fertility clinics.

A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Constant (5%) Versus Sequential (5%-2%) Oxygen Concentration Embryo Culture Protocols in Assisted Reproductive Technology

To evaluate whether there were significant differences in the effects of constant (5%) versus sequential (5%-2%) oxygen concentration protocols in embryo culture on term live birth rates. This study will be conducted in five centers including the Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical Universit. 980 women who wish to undergo blastocyst transplantation will be included in the study. The study data will be analyzed statistically.

Clinical Application of Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Measurements

This study aims to assess the association of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) with polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian insufficiency and fertility. The main objectives include the following: 1. To study the level of serum AMH in women with PCOS and to evaluate the utility of serum AMH in the diagnosis of PCOS. 2. To evaluate the level of serum AMH in women with POI and to evaluate the utility of serum AMH in the management of POI. 3. To evaluate the associations of basal AMH level with FSH level and AFC respectively for women undergoing ART treatment. 4. To determine the optimal regimen of gonadotropin for ovarian stimulation for women undergoing ART treatment. 5. To evaluate the predictive value of serum AMH in reproductive outcomes including oocyte quality, embryo quality, pregnancy loss, clinical pregnancy and live birth rate in women undergoing ART treatment.

Optimal Timing of Euploid Day 6 Blastocyst Transfer in Frozen HRT Cycles, Day 6 or Day 7 of Progesterone Administration.

The goal of this study is to compare the difference in clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and livebirth rate between day 6 euploid blastocyst transfer on the 6th and the 7th day of progesterone exposure in Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) FET cycles. This prospective \& randomized study will only include euploid day 6 blastocysts. This will be the first prospective study of euploid day 6 blastocysts thereby excluding aneuploidy as a cause of miscarriage and implantation failure. The point of randomization will occur on the day of progesterone commencement.

PLR and NLR as Predictor Factors for Semen Abnormality

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of seminal parameters with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), which are inflammatory markers, in men with an abnormal semen analysis and men with normozoospermia.

The Effect of Tucking on Semen Quality of Adult Trans Women

Because gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) can lead to fertility impairment, current guidelines and treatment recommendations require that patients be informed about the possibility of fertility preservation prior to initiating GAHT. A recent review by our working group analyzed the current data on fertility and fertility preservation in transgender and gender diverse people. Several studies were identified that evaluated semen quality before and during GAHT in trans women compared to reproductive men. All studies showed a significant reduction in semen quality even before GAHT. In addition, one study found evidence that constant wearing of tight underwear and tucking was associated with a reduction in motile sperm concentration to \<5 mill/ml. Tucking is a method of avoiding crotch bulge through the penis and testicles by placing the penis backwards between the legs and optionally pushing the testicles into the groin canals. These positions are fixed with tight-fitting underwear or gaffs. Whether tucking or the wearing of tight underwear is the determining factor for impaired semen quality even before the start of GAHT and whether there is reversibility remains unclear and will be investigated in the present study. The study is designed as a prospective case-control study with a total sample size of n = 40 trans women. All patients with gender incongruence presenting to the University Clinic for Gynecology, Endocrinology and Reproduction Innsbruck before starting GAHT are eligible to participate. Trans women (n = 20) who practice tucking or wear tight underwear will be included and trans women (n = 20) who do not practice tucking will be included as a control group. At Time 1, after 2-7 days of abstinence, all participants will provide a semen sample for a spermiogram, a venous blood sample will be taken, and quality of life will be assessed using a questionnaire. The frequency and duration of tucking or wearing tight underwear, ejaculation frequency, demographic data such as BMI, nicotine use, alcohol and drug use, medication use, underlying medical conditions, previous surgeries, etc. are also recorded. Participants in the study group are then asked to abstain tucking for at least 73 days. After 2-7 days of sperm abstinence, another semen sample is taken at time 2, a venous blood sample is taken, and quality of life is assessed. At this point, depending on the participant's wishes, there is the option of sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation prior to starting GAHT. Spermiograms are performed under standardized conditions according to current WHO guidelines.

Comparison of Progestin Primed Ovarian Stimulation (PPOS) vs.GnRH Antagonist Methods on IVF Outcomes

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effects of two different ovarian stimulation methods: Progestin Primed Ovarian Stimulation (PPOS) vs. GnRH Antagonist in embryologic outcomes of IVF Patients.

Correlation of Urinary and Serum Hormone Levels in Natural Cycle Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles

To evaluate whether the measurement of urinary estrone glucuronide and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations with an at-home device is correlated with serum hormone levels within a natural cycle frozen embryo transfer protocol. The hypothesis is that home urinary monitoring can reliably detect the LH surge and serve as a trigger for timing the FET. Results of this study may ultimately lead to change in clinical practice by reducing the number of clinic visits for serum monitoring, offering a more convenient, time and cost saving method of detection of LH surge. If the proposed protocol were feasible and widely accepted by patients, this would prompt the wide adoption of a less invasive but equally as effective FET protocol.

Impact of Gonadotoxic Therapies on Fertility

The goal of this observational study is to learn how gonadotoxic treatments (chemotherapies, radiotherapies or immunotherapies) affect the fertility status of participants with cancer. The main questions it aims to answer are: * in females, if cancer therapies reduce the Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration (ovarian reserve); * in males, if cancer therapies reduce sperm concentration (sperm quality).

UTERINE EVALUATION FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF PATHOLOGY. This Study Will Compare the Intrauterine Pathology Detection Rate Between Standard of Care Hydrosonography, and a New Visual Saline Infusion Device Providing Direct Visualization of the Uterus.

This is a prospective, single center, multiple arm cohort study intended to compare the diagnostic accuracy of a Visual Saline Infusion Device (VSI) device, vs standard of care Hydrosonography in reproductive aged women to identify pathology in the uterus.

Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) With Sperm Donation : an Inclusive Model of ART for All Women

This is a monocentric, retrospective, non-interventional study. The main objective is to describe the populations requesting assisted reproductive techniques (ART) with sperm donation ; and compare them between groups depending on their parental project.. The secondary objectives are to describe the center support process in the context of ART with sperm donation, to determine the initial/final orientation of support and the time to care The statistical analysis will be carried out to compare these parameters between groups depending on their parental project The study is taking place in the reproductive medicine department of the regional university hospital centre in Nancy.

Fertility Preservation and Pregnancy and Offspring Health Outcomes in Female Cancer

To explore whether there is a significant difference in the cumulative live birth rate and maternal and child health outcomes between cancer patients who undergo or do not undergo fertility preservation before receiving anti-tumor treatment and non-cancer patients who undergo assisted reproductive technology treatment/natural pregnancy. This study will be conducted in the Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. 2800 women diagnosed with malignant cancers who has desire to reproduce will be enrolled in this study. Statistical analysis of the data will be performed.

Assessing the Fertility Status of Men With Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

This study will aim to assess the fertility status of men with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) not on disease-modifying therapies. Participants will: 1. Complete online questionnaires that will assess SMA diagnosis and disease burden, medical and surgical history, medication usage, and fertility status and perspectives. 2. Over the 3-month initial study baseline period participants will provide two separate ejaculates for semen analysis and a single determination of sperm quality using DNA fragmentation testing using home collection and subsequent shipment to a central laboratory. 3. Over the initial study baseline period of 3 months study participants will obtain a blood test to determine male reproductive hormone levels. During the 24-month study duration, participants will be requested to undergo a yearly semen analysis and complete online relevant questionnaires.

The Prospective Observational COMPRAYA Cohort Study

Rationale: Childhood cancer survivorship attracts attention globally, because successes in treatment have led to increasing number of survivors who reach adulthood, in which survivorship issues affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) become prominent. Most paediatric patients are treated intensively with irradiation and/or chemotherapy, which put them at risk for early and/or late adverse medical and psychosocial events. In contrast, much less is known about adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, diagnosed between 18-39 years, who, with an 80% chance to survive, also have a long life ahead. AYA cancer patients, much more than children, suffer from delay in diagnosis, lack of centralization of care, ageadjusted expertise, and AYA follow-up care. AYAs typically present with a rare tumour: either with a paediatric malignancy (e.g. acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, paediatric brain tumours), a more typical tumour of AYA age (e.g. Hodgkin's disease, germ cell cancer, melanoma, thyroid cancer) or with an adult tumour at unusual young age (e.g. gastrointestinal, lung, breast carcinomas). Next to these differences in epidemiology, the tumour biology, developmental challenges (e.g. forming relationships, becoming financially independent, having children) and treatment regimens differ between AYAs and children, and therefore findings derived from childhood cancer survivors cannot be extrapolated to AYAs. Furthermore, novel treatments with targeted agents or immunotherapy are more likely to be administrated to AYAs compared to children. Finally, a rare group of incurable AYA cancer patients will survive for many years, for whom health outcome and supportive care intervention data are lacking. Globally, so far, the identification of AYA cancer patient subgroups that might be more susceptible to poor health outcomes has not been systematically addressed. The role of sociodemographic and treatment-associated risks, external exposures (e.g. lifestyle) and host factors (e.g. genetic, biological, physiological); or combinations of influences for impaired (agespecific) health outcomes, remains largely unknown. Understanding who is at risk and why will support the development of evidence-based AYA prevention, treatment and supportive care programs and guidelines, in co-creation with AYA cancer patients. Objective: To examine the prevalence, risk factors and mechanisms of impaired health outcomes (short- and long-term medical and psychosocial effects and late effects) over time among a population-based sample of AYA cancer patients. Study design: Prospective, observational cohort study Study population: All AYAs diagnosed (18-39 years at primary diagnosis) with cancer (any type) within the first 3 months after diagnosis (eligibility window of 1 month to ensure all eligible AYA cancer patients can be included) in one of the participating centres (or treated in one of these centres) in The Netherlands. Main study parameters/endpoints: The main outcomes are medical (e.g. second tumour; survival; fertility) and psychosocial (e.g. distress) health outcomes. Other study parameters (covariates/moderators/mediators) are characteristics of the individual (e.g. age, sex, cultural background, partner status, educational level, occupation, tumour type, disease stage, body composition, comorbid conditions, coping style), characteristics of the environment (e.g. cancer treatment, lifestyle), and genetic and biological factors (e.g. family history of cancer, stress and inflammation markers (e.g. cortisol, IL-6), microbiome). Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: On an individual level, patients who participate are asked to complete questionnaires on an annual basis for at least 10 years. All sample collections will take place at three time points: 0-3 months after diagnosis (baseline), 2 and 5 years; except blood for DNA analyses which will only take place at baseline. The collection of blood, hair and faeces at three occasions is minimally invasive and the risks of blood draws, hair and fecal sampling are negligible. All safety measures and procedures will be performed according to local guidelines. Patients will not experience direct benefit from participation in the COMPRAYA study. By participating, patients will contribute to a better insight in the prevalence of impaired medical and psychosocial (age-specific) health outcomes in AYA and evidence on factors associated with these health outcomes. This will lead to better and more personalized cancer care and supportive care tools for future AYA cancer patients.