Vitamin C to improve IVF outcomes for women with diminished ovarian reserve

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Participants with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) who are undergoing their first or second IVF cycle will be given either oral vitamin C or a matching placebo while following standard IVF protocols to see if antioxidant therapy changes outcomes. Eligible women meet POSEIDON DOR criteria (AMH <1.2 ng/mL or bilateral AFC <5) and have BMI 18.5–28 kg/m², while those with prior ovarian surgery– or cancer therapy–related DOR, certain endocrine disorders, endometriosis, or who plan PGT are excluded. Treatments and follow-up occur at collaborating hospitals in Beijing and Hebei, with outcomes tracked from oocyte retrieval through embryo transfer and pregnancy. Primary endpoints include IVF success measures such as live birth, with secondary measures like oocyte yield and clinical pregnancy rate.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Definition of DOR: Currently, there is no internationally unified standard for DOR. According to the latest POSEIDON criteria for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), serum AMH \<1.20 ng/mL or bilateral antral follicle count (AFC) \<5 is classified as DOR.

In this study, the participants are primarily DOR patients, with the following inclusion criteria:

* Infertile women undergoing their 1st or 2nd IVF treatment
* Diagnosed with DOR: POSEIDON criteria (AMH \<1.2 ng/mL or bilateral AFC \<5) BMI between 18.5-28.0 kg/m²
* Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria：Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from the trial:

* PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) candidates
* DOR caused by ovarian surgery, cancer radiotherapy/chemotherapy
* Other ovulation disorders (e.g., PCOS, Cushing's syndrome, non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperprolactinemia) or endometriosis (chocolate cysts)
* Severe thyroid disorders: Hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis
* Acute/chronic renal insufficiency, hemodialysis, or history of severe kidney impairment
* Infectious diseases: HIV, active hepatitis, metabolic acidosis, tuberculosis, etc.
* Severe autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease)
* Cardiovascular events within the past 3 months: Coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction/clinically significant congestive heart failure；Stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA)；Deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism；Poorly controlled hypertension (SBP ≥160 mmHg or DBP ≥90 mmHg)；Diagnosed diabetes mellitus；Coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)；
* Neurological disorders (e.g., dementia,Alzheimer's, Parkinson's) or use of related medications
* Psychiatric disorders or use of antiepileptic/antidepressant drugs
* History of cancer or radiotherapy/chemotherapy
* Allergy to vitamin C
* Current high-dose vitamin C supplementation (\>500 mg/day)
* Unwillingness to take the study-provided supplements
* Alcohol abuse, smoking, or drug addiction
* Participation in other clinical trials within the past month

Where it's running

• Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Capital Medical University
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting
• Peking university third hospital
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting
• The second hospital of Hebei Medical University
  Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China Recruiting
• General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University
  Yinchuan, Ningxia, China Recruiting
• Tang Du Hospital
  Xi’an, Shanxi, China Recruiting
• Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
  Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Tian Tian, Ph.D
• Email: tiantianpku@126.com
• Phone: +86 01082266355

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Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Tongue and gut bacteria patterns in women with diminished ovarian reserve

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.