Effect of hCG on Receptivity of the Human Endometrium

Status

Completed

Phase

Phase 4

Enrollment

15 participants (actual)

Sponsor

Michigan State University · Other

Design

Not randomized · Open label (no masking)

Countries

1 country

United States

Start

Jan 2013

Primary completion

Mar 2016

Completion

Mar 2016

First posted

7 Feb 2013 (estimated)

Last update posted

24 Feb 2017

Conditions

Infertility · Subfertility

Worldwide, 1 in 12 couples experience difficulty in getting pregnant and seek the help of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF-egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body), ovarian stimulation (medications are used to stimulate egg development) and intra-cytoplasmic injection (ICSI-single sperm is injected directly into the egg). Regardless of the ART procedure being performed, the newly fertilized embryo must still implant into the mothers endometrium (inner lining of uterus). This implantation process in humans is surprisingly inefficient and accounts for up to 50% of ART failures. Intrauterine infusion of hCG prior to embryo transfer has recently been shown to increase pregnancy rates but the cellular mechanism for this increase is unknown. Successful implantation requires the newly fertilized embryo and the endometrium develop in a synchronized manner. This coordinated development is accomplished, in part, by proteins secreted by the embryo which circulate throughout the maternal bloodstream and alert the maternal body organs (i.e. ovary, endometrium, breast, ect) that fertilization has occurred. One of the earliest of these secreted proteins is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is the molecule detected in over-the-counter pregnancy tests. From previous studies, we know that hCG production by the embryo alerts the ovary to continue producing progesterone, a hormone required for pregnancy. However, very little is known about the direct effect of hCG on the endometrium during early pregnancy in humans. Using animal models, hCG has been shown to induce specific changes in the endometrium, suggesting that embryo-derived hCG may be "priming" the endometrium in anticipation of implantation. The goal of this research study is to examine the direct effect of hCG on the human endometrium and see if this "priming effect" is also present in humans. Findings from this research may reveal whether pre-treatment with hCG can enhance ART outcomes, especially pregnancy rates.

• Experimental

  Drug: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

  Drug: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A single intrauterine infusion of 500IU hCG dissolved in IVF media ("Global"-trademark) will be administered to participants in the experimental group three days after oocyte retrieval. Two days after this infusion, participant will return to clinic where a uterine lavage and an endometrial biopsy will be performed to obtain a sample of uterine secretory proteins and endometrial tissue, respectively, for research analysis.

• Placebo comparator

  IVF media ("Global"-trademark)

  Placebo Comparator for hCG. A single intrauterine infusion of IVF media without hCG will be administered to participants in the control group three days after oocyte retrieval. Two days after this infusion, participant will return to clinic and a sample of uterine secretory proteins and endometrial tissue, will be obtained via uterine lavage and endometrial biopsy, respectively, for research analysis.

1. Endometrial Staging in hCG Versus Vehicle Treated Patients

   Time frame · 2 days following infusion of hCG or IVF media

   Registry description

   All H\&E-stained endometrial biopsies were analyzed in a blinded manner for endometrial dating and glandular and stromal development. Criteria for endometrial dating included the presence or absence of sub-nuclear vacuoles, which is one of the more reproducible features of the Noyes dating criteria. For the purposes of statistical analysis, the most advanced elements in each of the two endometrial compartments were considered. Data are specifically reported as days post-ovulation induction.

2. Expression of hCG Target NOTCH1 Protein by IHC in Endometrial Glands

   Time frame · 2 days following infusion of hCG or IVF media

   Registry description

   Staining intensity of each section was quantified by image analysis software ImageJ (NIH) resulting in a Digital Histology Score (D-HSCORE), ranging from 0 to 255. Higher scores are associated with stronger staining/expression, while lower scores are the opposite.

3. Expression of hCG Target NOTCH1 Protein by IHC in Endometrial Stroma

   Time frame · 2 days following infusion of hCG or IVF media

   Registry description

   Staining intensity of each section was quantified by image analysis software ImageJ (NIH) resulting in a Digital Histology Score (D-HSCORE), ranging from 0 to 255. Higher scores are associated with stronger staining/expression, while lower scores are the opposite.

4. Expression of hCG Target C3 Protein by IHC in Endometrial Stroma

   Time frame · 2 days following infusion of hCG or IVF media

   Registry description

   Staining intensity of each section was quantified by image analysis software ImageJ (NIH) resulting in a Digital Histology Score (D-HSCORE), ranging from 0 to 255. Higher scores are associated with stronger staining/expression, while lower scores are the opposite.

No study cites this trial.