Randomised double-blind controlled trial of non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in in vitro fertilisation: a protocol paper

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 13; no. 7; p. e072557
• Main Authors: Cheng, Hiu Yee Heidi, Chow, Judy F C, Lam, Kevin K W, Lai, Shui Fan, Yeung, William Shu Biu, Ng, Ernest H Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 27.07.2023; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Protocol
• Subjects: Aneuploidy; Biopsy; Birth rate; Cell division; Chromosomes; Consent; Cryopreservation; Double-blind studies; Embryo Transfer - methods; Embryos; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - methods; Genetic testing; Genetic Testing - methods; Genetics and Genomics; Hospitals; Humans; Hypotheses; In vitro fertilization; Infertility, Female; Miscarriage; Morphology; Ovaries; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sperm; Success; Systematic review; Womens health; Hong Kong China; China; subfertility; reproductive medicine; genetics
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072557

The success rate of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment for couples with infertility remains low due to lack of a reliable tool in selecting euploid embryos for transfer. This study aims to compare the efficacy in embryo selection based on morphology alone compared with non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A) and morphology in infertile women undergoing IVF. This is a randomised double-blind controlled trial conducted in two tertiary assisted reproduction centres. A total of 500 infertile women will be recruited and undergo IVF as indicated. They will be randomly assigned on day 6 after oocyte retrieval into two groups: the intervention group using morphology and niPGT-A and the control group based on morphology alone. In the control group, blastocysts with the best quality morphology will be replaced first. In the intervention group, blastocysts with the best morphology and euploid result of spent culture medium will be replaced first. The primary outcome is a live birth per the first embryo transfer. The statistical analysis will be performed with the intention to treat and per protocol. Ethics approval was sought from the institutional review board of the two participating units. All participants will provide written informed consent before joining the study. The results of the study will be submitted to scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals. NCT04474522.