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21 March 2013 
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Effect of endometrial scratch on repeat implantation failure following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer or frozen embryo transfer
ISRCTN ISRCTN24605402
DOI 10.1186/ISRCTN24605402
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
EudraCT number
Public title Effect of endometrial scratch on repeat implantation failure following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer or frozen embryo transfer
Scientific title Effect of endometrial scratch on repeat implantation failure following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer or frozen embryo transfer: a randomized controlled study
Acronym N/A
Serial number at source N/A
Study hypothesis Patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) have a higher implantation rate and pregnancy rate following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or frozen embryo transfer (FET) after undergoing endometrial scratch compared with patients without endometrial scratch.
Lay summary Background and study aims
Although the results of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) have been steadily increasing over recent years, it still means that approximately 6 out of 10 of women are unable to successfully conceive with each treatment cycle. It also follows that approximately 2 out of 10 women will fail to conceive after two or three IVF attempts. Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a most distress situation. Several studies (the number of cases included was quite small) reported that endometrial scratch is of benefit to improve the pregnancy outcome of women with RIF. A recent analysis of data has shown that large studies are required before endometrial scratch or injury can be warranted in routine clinical practice. Hence, we wish to conduct such a study to evaluate if endometrial scratch does have impact on the IVF treatment outcome in women with two or more embryo transfer failures.

Who can participate?
Patients with repeated implantation failure (two or more) undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or frozen embryo transfer (FET), patients aged no more than 40 years old with basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)<10IU/L and without history of uterine cavity operation in two months.

What does the study involve?
Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to two groups
Group 1, endometrial scratch was offered on day of observation of Luteinizing hormone (LH) + 7 immediately prior to commencement of IVF treatment
Group 2, no endometrial scratch was performed.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Endometrial scratch might improve the potential of embryo implantation. The side effect is associated with injury to the endometrium, such as bleeding, pain and infection, however, there are no reports related to the risks mentioned above.

Where is the study run from?
Reproductive medical center of Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, medical school, Zhejiang university, China.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study was started on January 1, 2013 and will run for 2 years or until 800 patients were included.

Who is funding the study?
National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Who is the main contact?
Prof Songying Zhang
zhangsongying @126.com
zhangsongying@zju.edu.cn
Ethics approval Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University,Hangzhou, China, 15 January 2013
Study design Prospective randomized controlled study
Countries of recruitment China
Disease/condition/study domain Infertility
Participants - inclusion criteria 1. Patients with repeated implantation failure (two or more) undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or frozen embryo transfer (FET)
2. Patients aged no more than 40 years old
3. Patients with basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)<10IU/L
4. Patients without history of uterine cavity operation in two months
Participants - exclusion criteria 1. Patients with hydrosalpinx
2. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
3. Patients with history of endometrium adhesion
4. Patients with uterine malformation; uterine fibroid
5. Patients with acute genital tract inflammation
6. Patients with history of using hormone such as oral contraceptive in one month
Anticipated start date 16/01/2013
Anticipated end date 31/12/2014
Status of trial Ongoing
Patient information material Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Target number of participants 800
Interventions Endometrium scratching in seventh day after observation of Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge prior to an IVF or frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle in study group. No extra administration prior to an IVF or FET cycle in control group.

Control group: patients with RIF without endometrial scratch before IVF-ET or FET.

Study group: patients with RIF undergoing endometrial scratch before IVF-ET or FET.
Primary outcome measure(s) 1. Implantation rate
2. Clinical pregnancy rate defined as the presence of a fetal sac by ultrasound scanning
Secondary outcome measure(s) 1. Endometrial thickness
2. Endometrial type
Sources of funding Zhejiang University (China) - Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital
Trial website
Publications
Contact name Prof  Zhang  Songying
  Address Assisted Reproduction Unit
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital
College of Medicine
Zhejiang University
3# Qing Chun East Road
  City/town Hangzhou
  Zip/Postcode 310016
  Country China
Sponsor Zhejiang University (China)
  Address c/o Songying Zhang
Assisted Reproduction Unit
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital
College of Medicine
3# Qing Chun East Road
  City/town Hangzhou
  Zip/Postcode 310016
  Country China
Date applied 16/01/2013
Last edited 19/02/2013
Date ISRCTN assigned 19/02/2013
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