In Vitro Activation of Dormant Follicles for Patients with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (IVADFPOI)

Zhengzhou University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Dormant Follicle; Ovarian Resistance Syndrome; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; In Vitro Activation

Treatments: Procedure: Ovariotomy; Procedure: Ovarian superficial cut; Procedure: Activate dormant follicles; Procedure: Ovary tissue transplantation

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02322060

RMCZZU-IVA

Details and patient eligibility

About

In this study, the investigators used the newly developed technique i.e. in vitro activation of dormant follicles (IVA) to promote ovarian follicle growth much more efficiently than natural, in vivo process for women with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).Firstly, the investigators remove one ovary under laparoscopic surgery. Then, we dissect ovarian cortex from the ovarian medulla. The ovarian cortex is cut into small cubes and cultured with medium containing drugs to activate dormant follicles. After 2 days of culture, the ovarian cubes are transplanted mainly beneath the membrane of Fallopian tubes under laparoscopic surgery. The ovarian cortex could be cryopreserve for future re-transplantation and in some cases, for convenience to arrange second surgery. Once frozen, the ovary can be preserved semipermanently. After transplantation, patients receive ultrasound monitoring together with measurement of serum hormone levels for 10-12 months. If growing follicles are detected, follicle growth is stimulated by injection of hormones (gonadotropins). Using the same "ovum pick up" approach used in IVF (in vitro fertilization), we pick up oocytes from the follicles and fertilize them. Fertilized eggs are cultured and then cryopreserved for future embryo transfer.

Currently, we recurit patients diagnosed with POI, or Ovarian resistance syndrome (ORS). The procedure can also be: Only superficial cut of the ovarian cortex by laparoscopy or laparotomy, without taking ovary outside or cultured with medium.

Full description

I: Former IVA

1. Remove one ovary (maybe both ovaries depending on the condition) is performed by laparoscopic surgery. (Depending on the condition of patients, the investigators remove both ovaries to increase a chance to obtain residual follicles. Also, in some cases, the investigators need to perform laparotomy, i.e. open surgery, depending on the patient's condition).
2. Quickly dissect ovarian cortex from the ovarian medulla and cut into small stripes. Histological analyses are performed using small parts of the ovarian stripes to find residual follicles.
3. Optional: Cryopreserve the ovarian stripes by a vitrification method. Two days before the day of reimplantation, thaw the ovarian stripes.
4. The ovarian stripes are cut into small cubes (1 x1 mm2). The ovarian cubes are cultured with medium containing drugs to activate dormant follicles for 2 days before transplantation. After washing, the cubes are transplanted beneath the membrane of both Fallopian tubes and the remaining ovary under laparoscopic surgery.
5. Monitor follicle growth by ultrasound and serum hormone assays. Once follicles reach >16 mm in diameter, patients receive hCG, followed by egg retrieval in ~36 hours. Then the investigators will perform intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using the husband's sperm. When embryos reached the four-cell stage, they were cryopreserved, waiting for frozen-thaw embryo transfer.

II Current procedure:

Only superficial cut of the ovarian cortex by laparoscopy or laparotomy, without taking ovary outside or cultured with medium.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 39 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Married women (18-39) diagnosed with POI/ORS
• With both ovaries present
• With normal uterine cavity
• Healthy and can stand surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Any one that does not meet the inclusion criteria

Trial design

100 participants in 2 patient groups

Primary ovarian insufficiency

Description:

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI; also known as premature ovarian failure/dysfunction/insufficiency or premature menopause) is characterised by amenorrhoea, sex hormone (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) deficiency and elevated gonadotrophins levels in a woman aged more than two standard deviations below the mean age of menopause estimated for her reference population. POI is defined as a disorder in ovarian function in any woman before the age of 40 years, irrespective of the cause. In our study, we mainly recruit POI patients who also desire to have a baby of their own.

Treatment:

Procedure: Ovary tissue transplantation

Procedure: Ovarian superficial cut

Procedure: Activate dormant follicles

Procedure: Ovariotomy

Ovarian resistance syndrome

Description:

We currently also include patients diagnosed with Ovarian resistance syndrome, which means that follicles exist, but do not response to FSH.

Treatment:

Procedure: Ovary tissue transplantation

Procedure: Ovarian superficial cut

Procedure: Activate dormant follicles

Procedure: Ovariotomy