Ovulation Double Check (Proov) Verification and Usability Testing

Lack of or insufficient ovulatory events is the primary cause of infertility worldwide and with 12% of couples within the US being diagnosed with infertility each year (according to the CDC), thus being able to confirm ovulation is an essential component of infertility evaluations in women. The gold standards for confirming ovulation include transvaginal ultrasounds and serum progesterone blood draws. Both of these techniques are too invasive, too expensive, and/or inaccessible to most women. Therefore a non-invasive, inexpensive, home-based testing system to confirm ovulation is desired. Several recent studies have identified urinary pregnanediol levels as an accurate way to confirm ovulation. However, until now, urine pregnanediol levels were always measured via a lab setting. Here the investigators describe the development of a urine pregnanediol (PDG) rapid test and its use at confirming ovulation in a home environment. Study Protocol One hundred and ninety six women were recruited to take part in a prospective, blinded cohort home environment study. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee at Solutions IRB. Detailed information about the study was provided to each volunteer, and informed consent was obtained prior the study commencement. Inclusion criteria were non-pregnant women residing within the United States, aged 18- 45, and not currently on hormonal birth control. Importantly, women were not excluding due to average cycle length, weight (BMI), breastfeeding status, poly-cyctic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or any other cause of infertility or lifestyle factor. Participants were asked to predict ovulation by monitoring changes in cervical mucus and/or tracking luteinizing hormone (LH) via home test kits. Participants were asked to self-report their peak fertility day, which was defined as the first LH surge day and/or day of peak cervical mucus (stretchy and eggwhite in consistence).

Participants collected first morning urine as various times during their cycle, including, prior to, during, and after peak fertility signs were observed. Participants were provided PDG rapid response test strips and self-administered the tests and recorded the results. Test results were reported back the investigators via a log sheet. Log sheets recorded testing date, day of cycle, date of peak fertility (if known), personal assessment of results (positive result vs negative result) and a place to tape the completed test strip.

Inclusion criteria

• Female (mandatory)
• Not currently pregnant or nursing (pregnancy affects PdG levels)
• Aged 18-34 (advanced age can hinder PdG levels)
• Cycle length of 26-39 days (long or short cycles have inconsistent PdG levels)
• Currently use other fertility monitoring tools (this allows us to compare Proov - Ovulation Double Check test results with other fertility tracking methods)

Exclusion criteria

• Male
• Pregnant
• Nursing