The Use of Pantoprazole Prior to Frozen Embryo Transfer: A Clinical Trial

Infertility affects approximately 1 in 6 Canadian couples, with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) being a viable solution. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), an integral procedure in IVF, involves the implantation of a cryopreserved embryo into the uterus. Although relatively successful, complications such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and preterm birth remain concerns. Research has shown that uterine contraction at the time of FET negatively impacts implantation success. Therefore, taking a medication with uterine relaxing effects, such as Pantoprazole, during FET may facilitate successful implantation. Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is a pregnancy category B drug with no significant risk of pregnancy complications including preterm delivery, spontaneous abortion, or major congenital birth defects. Emerging data suggests that Pantoprazole relaxes the uterine walls. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of pantoprazole improving implantation during FET procedures. In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 200 participants undergoing FET at Victory Reproductive Care (VRC) will be recruited and randomized into an experimental or control group. The experimental group will take oral pantoprazole (40mg, daily) for 7 consecutive days, starting 3 days prior to FET. The control group will not receive pantoprazole. The frequency of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy will be recorded and analyzed to determine if Pantoprazole improves FET outcomes. The results of this novel study may help advance standardized FET procedures to improve fertility outcomes.