Ignite Creation Date:
2025-12-24 @ 5:52 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2026-02-21 @ 11:26 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT04256668
Status:
COMPLETED
Last Update Posted:
2024-04-08
First Post:
2020-01-27
Is Gene Therapy:
True
Has Adverse Events:
False
Brief Title:
Human Sperm Epigenetics in Embryonic Development.
Sponsor:
Organization:
Raw JSON
{'hasResults': False, 'derivedSection': {'miscInfoModule': {'versionHolder': '2025-12-24'}, 'conditionBrowseModule': {'meshes': [{'id': 'D007248', 'term': 'Infertility, Male'}], 'ancestors': [{'id': 'D005832', 'term': 'Genital Diseases, Male'}, {'id': 'D000091662', 'term': 'Genital Diseases'}, {'id': 'D000091642', 'term': 'Urogenital Diseases'}, {'id': 'D007246', 'term': 'Infertility'}, {'id': 'D052801', 'term': 'Male Urogenital Diseases'}]}, 'interventionBrowseModule': {'meshes': [{'id': 'D055101', 'term': 'Semen Analysis'}], 'ancestors': [{'id': 'D019411', 'term': 'Clinical Laboratory Techniques'}, {'id': 'D019937', 'term': 'Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures'}, {'id': 'D003933', 'term': 'Diagnosis'}, {'id': 'D008919', 'term': 'Investigative Techniques'}]}}, 'protocolSection': {'designModule': {'phases': ['NA'], 'studyType': 'INTERVENTIONAL', 'designInfo': {'allocation': 'NON_RANDOMIZED', 'maskingInfo': {'masking': 'DOUBLE', 'whoMasked': ['INVESTIGATOR', 'OUTCOMES_ASSESSOR'], 'maskingDescription': 'Sperm samples will be collected, processed and stained at the hospital site (RME). Slides generated for imaging will be assigned an anonymous code, removing all possible patient identifiable features. Then the slides will be sent to the research laboratory (FMI) for further analysis.'}, 'primaryPurpose': 'DIAGNOSTIC', 'interventionModel': 'PARALLEL', 'interventionModelDescription': '20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with normal embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal fertilization rate \\>50% and normal blastocyst development rate \\>50%).\n\n20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with poor embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal or slightly reduced fertilization rate \\<50% and low or absent blastocyst development (0 or only 1 blastocyst).\n\n20 previously infertile men, normal history, normal genital status, normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation rate \\<20% (as given by TUNEL) and achieving pregnancy naturally (without medical intervention).'}, 'enrollmentInfo': {'type': 'ACTUAL', 'count': 60}}, 'statusModule': {'overallStatus': 'COMPLETED', 'startDateStruct': {'date': '2020-04-01', 'type': 'ACTUAL'}, 'expandedAccessInfo': {'hasExpandedAccess': False}, 'statusVerifiedDate': '2024-04', 'completionDateStruct': {'date': '2024-02-29', 'type': 'ACTUAL'}, 'lastUpdateSubmitDate': '2024-04-05', 'studyFirstSubmitDate': '2020-01-27', 'studyFirstSubmitQcDate': '2020-02-04', 'lastUpdatePostDateStruct': {'date': '2024-04-08', 'type': 'ACTUAL'}, 'studyFirstPostDateStruct': {'date': '2020-02-05', 'type': 'ACTUAL'}, 'primaryCompletionDateStruct': {'date': '2023-12-31', 'type': 'ACTUAL'}}, 'outcomesModule': {'primaryOutcomes': [{'measure': 'Differences in chromatin density.', 'timeFrame': '12 months', 'description': 'Staining of the nucleus of spermatozoa with the fluorescent dye chromomycin'}], 'secondaryOutcomes': [{'measure': 'Normal and abnormal embryo development after assisted reproduction.', 'timeFrame': '24 months', 'description': 'Differences in distribution of epigenetic markers.'}]}, 'oversightModule': {'oversightHasDmc': False, 'isFdaRegulatedDrug': False, 'isFdaRegulatedDevice': False}, 'conditionsModule': {'keywords': ['assisted reproductive technology', 'DNA fragmentation', 'histone', 'protamine', 'blastocyst'], 'conditions': ['Male Infertility', 'Epigenetic Disorder']}, 'referencesModule': {'references': [{'pmid': '40375809', 'type': 'DERIVED', 'citation': 'Gill ME, Fischer M, De Geyter C, Peters AHFM. Normozoospermic infertile men possess subpopulations of sperm varying in DNA accessibility, relating to differing reproductive outcomes. Hum Reprod. 2025 Jul 1;40(7):1266-1281. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deaf081.'}]}, 'descriptionModule': {'briefSummary': 'A total of 60 men (40 with a history of infertility and treatment with assisted reproduction and 20 infertile controls achieving conception naturally) will be asked to provide at least one semen sample each for conventional semen analysis including measurement of DNA-fragmentation and semen preparation with swim-up. The prepared semen sample will then analyzed by comprehensive microscopy analyses aiming at identifying distinct subpopulations of spermatozoa based on chromatin density and composition, mitochondrial and acrosome function and epigenetic markers. In addition, spermatozoa samples of selected individuals will be subjected to comprehensive analyses of the chromatin and RNA expression status using epigenomic approaches.', 'detailedDescription': 'Hitherto male infertility has been defined by conventional semen analysis only, which mainly consists of determining concentration, progressive mobility and morphology of spermatozoa. However, the diagnostic accuracy of conventional semen analysis is poor and has very limited relationship with the outcome of assisted reproductive medicine. Preliminary data suggest that differences in chromatin density and epigenetic status of sperm may be more relevant, in particular with respect to the growth and differentiation of early embryos.\n\nChromatin density, morphology, mitochondrial status and epigenetic state in sperm of infertile men with disturbances of early embryo development in vitro will be compared with those of infertile men with normal embryo development and with fertile controls.\n\nPrimary outcome:\n\nFeatures of chromatin density will be determined through staining of large numbers of spermatozoa. Differences in the staining results will be compared with known fertility outcome.\n\nSecondary outcome:\n\nDevelopment of significant staining parameters towards the selection against sperm with reduced embryonic competence and/or in favor of sperm supporting embryonic development after assisted reproduction, thereby using flow cytometry and sorting (FACS) .'}, 'eligibilityModule': {'sex': 'MALE', 'stdAges': ['ADULT'], 'maximumAge': '39 Years', 'minimumAge': '28 Years', 'healthyVolunteers': False, 'eligibilityCriteria': 'Inclusion Criteria:\n\n* Men with a history of infertility. Sperm concentration must be \\>15 millions per ml.\n\nExclusion Criteria:\n\n* No vulnerable persons will be invited to participate.'}, 'identificationModule': {'nctId': 'NCT04256668', 'acronym': 'EPI', 'briefTitle': 'Human Sperm Epigenetics in Embryonic Development.', 'organization': {'class': 'OTHER', 'fullName': 'University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland'}, 'officialTitle': 'Identification and Characterization of Human Sperm Variation and Its Role in Embryonic Development.', 'orgStudyIdInfo': {'id': 'Human Sperm Epigenetic'}}, 'armsInterventionsModule': {'armGroups': [{'type': 'ACTIVE_COMPARATOR', 'label': 'good embryo development in assisted reproduction', 'description': '20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with normal embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal fertilization rate \\>50% and normal blastocyst development rate \\>50%).', 'interventionNames': ['Diagnostic Test: Obtaining one or semen samples']}, {'type': 'ACTIVE_COMPARATOR', 'label': 'poor embryo development in assisted reproduction', 'description': '20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with poor embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal or slightly reduced fertilization rate \\<50% and low or absent blastocyst development (0 or only 1 blastocyst).', 'interventionNames': ['Diagnostic Test: Obtaining one or semen samples']}, {'type': 'PLACEBO_COMPARATOR', 'label': 'natural conception', 'description': '20 previously infertile men, normal history, normal genital status, normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation rate \\<20% (as given by TUNEL) and achieving pregnancy naturally (without medical intervention).', 'interventionNames': ['Diagnostic Test: Obtaining one or semen samples']}], 'interventions': [{'name': 'Obtaining one or semen samples', 'type': 'DIAGNOSTIC_TEST', 'otherNames': ['Semen analysis'], 'description': 'Through staining of semen samples with sets of dyes to measure features of chromatin density, nuclear morphology and mitochondrial status in large numbers of single spermatozoa and to compare differences in the staining results with known fertility outcome. Through comprehensive comparative epigenetic studies we anticipate to explain different efficiencies of sperm from men with seemingly normal semen quality in driving embryonic development.', 'armGroupLabels': ['good embryo development in assisted reproduction', 'natural conception', 'poor embryo development in assisted reproduction']}]}, 'contactsLocationsModule': {'locations': [{'zip': '4031', 'city': 'Basel', 'country': 'Switzerland', 'facility': 'University Hospital', 'geoPoint': {'lat': 47.55839, 'lon': 7.57327}}], 'overallOfficials': [{'name': 'Christian De Geyter, MD', 'role': 'PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR', 'affiliation': 'University Hospital'}]}, 'ipdSharingStatementModule': {'ipdSharing': 'NO'}, 'sponsorCollaboratorsModule': {'leadSponsor': {'name': 'University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland', 'class': 'OTHER'}, 'collaborators': [{'name': 'Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)', 'class': 'UNKNOWN'}], 'responsibleParty': {'type': 'SPONSOR'}}}}