Correlation of subendometrial-endometrial blood flow assessment by two-dimensional power Doppler with pregnancy outcome in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles

Enhancing endometrial receptivity in FET cycles: exploring the influence of endometrial and subendometrial blood flow along with endometrial volume

Introduction

Fetal health and a receptive and healthy endometrium are two essential factors in achieving successful implantation. If the endometrium is unreceptive, postponing the transfer cycle to a suitable time can enhance the chances of pregnancy. This study aims to assess the impact of endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flows measured by Doppler ultrasound, as well as endometrial volume, on endometrial receptivity in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

Methods

112 patients with a mean age of 33.93 ± 4.93 years underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF). Serum β-hCG level was used to confirm pregnancy, and among the participants, 50 (44.6%) achieved pregnancy after IVF.

Results

The study results revealed a significant difference in endometrial blood flow between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, with a higher pregnancy rate observed in participants exhibiting multi-focal and spare endometrial blood flows (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a notable association between endometrial blood flow and pregnancy outcome, as indicated by higher ongoing pregnancy rates in those with multi-focal and spare endometrial blood flows (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in endometrial variables such as volume, length, width, thickness, and pattern between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Additionally, contextual parameters showed no significant relationship with pregnancy outcome (p > 0.05). The study also found that endometrial measurement indices did not have a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes, with no significant differences observed between the groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, endometrial blood flow is crucial for a successful pregnancy after IVF, while the predictive value of the endometrial volume is limited for pregnancy outcomes.

An endometrial receptivity scoring system evaluated by ultrasonography in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a prospective cohort study

Introduction

Ultrasound has become a routine method for endometrial receptivity (ER) evaluation. However, there is controversy over the independent evaluation values of various ultrasound indicators. Some researchers have designed multi-indicator prediction systems, but their prediction values are uneven. To further our understanding of ER, we conducted this prospective cohort study to estimate ER noninvasively and effectively.

Methods

Women who underwent the first frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle from April 2019 to July 2021 were included in the study. On the day of transfer, transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound examination was performed to evaluate ER, including endometrial thickness, morphology, volume, movement, blood flow and flow index. The clinical pregnancy rate was the primary outcome. Based on whether clinical pregnancy was achieved, enrolled patients were divided into pregnant and nonpregnant groups.

Results

This study analyzed 197 FET patients (139 pregnancies in total, 70.5%). The protective factors for clinical pregnancy included primary infertility [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-3.882; p = 0.047] and more frequent endometrial peristalsis (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.028-1.722; p = 0.03). Scores of 1-2 were assigned according to the relationship between different ultrasound indicators and the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). The ER score of the patient was the sum of the scores of the 6 items. The ER score of the pregnant group was significantly higher than that of the nonpregnant group (7.40 ± 1.73 vs. 6.33 ± 1.99, p = 0.001). The CPR increased with an increasing ER score. The CPR in the ER < 6 group was significantly lower than that in the ER >6 group (45.5% vs. 75.6%, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

A noninvasive ultrasound scoring system for ER was proposed. This system may provide a non-invasive guidance perspective, in conjunction with invasive assessments currently used in clinical practice, to achieve more effective embryo transfer.

Effect of hyperlipidemia on the outcome of in vitro fertilization in non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Introduction

It is little known whether hyperlipidemia alone has adverse effects on the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

The PCOS patients with body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 were performed IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment, including 208 fresh cycles and 127 frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. All the patients were divided into hyperlipidemia and control groups, and embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes between the two groups were compared.

Results

In the fresh cycles, total gonadotropin dosage in the control group was significantly lower than that in the hyperlipidemia group, and serum estradiol levels on trigger day were reversed (P < 0.05). The embryo fragment score was positively correlated with serum low-density lipoprotein level (r = 0.06, P < 0.05) and negatively with serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein A levels (r = -0.489 and -0.085, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis found that HDL was beneficial for clinical pregnancy (OR = 0.355, 95% CI: 0.135-0.938, P < 0.05). In the FET cycles, there were no differences in pulse index, systolic/diastolic ratio and serum estradiol and progesterone levels between the two groups, but resistance index in the hyperlipidemia group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hyperlipidemia may increase the dosage of gonadotropin and have adverse effect on the embryo quality, endometrial receptivity, and clinical outcomes of lean PCOS patients. It is recommended that the non-obese patients with hyperlipidemia and PCOS perform lipid-lowering treatment before undergoing embryo transfer.

Intrauterine instillation of autologous platelet-rich plasma in infertile females with thin endometrium undergoing intrauterine insemination: an open-label randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Thin endometrium in infertile female patients has always been a clinical challenge for the treating reproductive physicians.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intrauterine instillation of autologous platelet-rich plasma on endometrial thickness and vascularity in infertile female patients with thin endometrium undergoing ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination.

STUDY DESIGN

This prospective randomized control study included 120 women undergoing ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination, aged between 21 and 37 years, with persistent thin endometrium (<7 mm) on ≥1 cycle in previous ovarian stimulation cycles, even after conventional treatment with estradiol valerate. The women were randomly assigned to study group A and control group B. Baseline endometrial thickness and endometrial vascularity were noted. Intrauterine instillation of autologous platelet-rich plasma was done on the day of trigger in group A, whereas estradiol valerate was given in group B. Another evaluation of endometrial parameters was done on the day of intrauterine insemination. The cycle was repeated for 3 cycles or until the pregnancy was achieved, whichever occurred earlier. Parameters were noted for both groups. Primary outcomes were the change in endometrial thickness and endometrial vascularity. Secondary outcomes were positive pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate.

RESULTS

In group A, mean pre-platelet-rich plasma endometrial thickness was 4.66±0.79 mm, which significantly increased to 7.47±0.85 mm after platelet-rich plasma instillation (P<.05) after 3 cycles. This increase was significantly greater than that observed in group B. There was significant increase in endometrial vascularity in group A compared with group B (P<.05). The positive pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate in group A were 23.73% and 18.64%, respectively, and significantly higher than those in group B.

CONCLUSION

Autologous platelet-rich plasma is a promising, easily procurable, and novel option for management of infertile females with thin endometrium not responding to conventional treatment. Using it in intrauterine insemination cycles can reduce costs and psychological burden of this subgroup of women by reducing the need for resorting to advanced options such as in vitro fertilization and surrogacy.

Predictive value of 3D ultrasound assessment of endometrial receptivity for PGD/PGS for transfer pregnancy outcome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the predictive value of three-dimensional ultrasound assessment of endometrial receptivity in PGD/PGS transplantation patients on pregnancy outcome.

METHODS

280 patients undergoing PGD/PGS transplantation were enrolled and divided into group A and group B according to the patients' pregnancy outcomes. The general conditions, endometrial receptivity indexes of the two groups were compared. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing pregnancy outcome in PGD/PGS transplant patients. ROC curves were plotted to analyze the predictive value of 3D ultrasound parameters on pregnancy outcome. The results of the study were validated with patients who underwent FET transplantation, and the patients in the validation group were treated with the same 3D ultrasound examination method and treatment plan as the observation group.

RESULTS

The differences in basic situations between two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The percentage of endometrial thickness, endometrial blood flow, and endometrial blood flow classification type II + II were higher in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that endometrial thickness, endometrial blood flow and endometrial blood flow classification were influencing factors of pregnancy outcome in PGD/PGS patients. The sensitivity of predicting pregnancy outcome based on the results of transcatheter 3D ultrasound was 91.18%, the specificity was 82.35%, and the accuracy was 90.00%, which has a high predictive value.

CONCLUSION

3D ultrasound can predict pregnancy outcome by assessing the endometrial receptivity of PGD/PGS transplantation, in which endometrial thickness and endometrial blood flow have a good predictive value.

Association between endometrial blood and clinical outcome in frozen single blastocyst transfer cycles

Background: The success of embryo transfer cycle depends mainly on the quality of embryo and endometrial receptivity. Ultrasound examination is still the most widely used non-invasive evaluation method for its advantages of convenience, non-invasiveness and repeatability. Ultrasound-measured endometrial blood flow is one of the important evaluation indicators of morphology. Aims: To investigate the effect of the number of endometrial blood flow branches on pregnancy outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles which have undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT-FET). Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed looking at a total of 1390 HRT-FET cycles from our reproductive medicine center between January 2017 to December 2021, which transferred one blastocyst frozen on day 5 with good quality in morphology. Associations between endometrial blood flow branches and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated with multivariable linear regression analysis. Results: The number of endometrial blood flow branches was independently associated with clinical pregnancy (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.20). After adjusting for potential confounders, the effect size (odds ratio) was 1.09 (95% CI 1.00-1.19), and the results showed that the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of T2 and T3 groups were significantly higher than those in group T1 (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that a consistent association between the endometrial blood flow branches and clinical pregnancy in all subgroups. Conclusion: Our study provided evidence for the influence of endometrial blood flow on pregnancy outcomes. There may be an independent association between the number of endometrial blood flow branches and pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles.

Uterine artery Doppler and endometrial blood flow in frozen embryo transfer: A cohort study

Background

The implantation rate after assisted reproductive technology depends on 2 important factors, good quality embryo and endometrial receptivity. Endometrial receptivity is mainly assessed by ultrasound measurement of endometrial thickness and morphology.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between uterine artery Doppler indices/endometrial perfusion and pregnancy rate.

Materials and Methods

This cohort study was done on 250 women who were candidates for frozen embryo transfer from January to July 2022. For assessing endometrial receptivity, we performed a Doppler ultrasound of the uterus before embryo transfer with apparently desirable endometrium (endometrial thickness ≥ 7 mm and 3 line endometrial pattern). In addition, the women were divided into 2 groups according to assisted reproductive technology outcome (clinical pregnancy), group I positive clinical pregnancy, and group II negative clinical pregnancy, and uterine artery indices and endometrial perfusion were compared between these groups.

Results

Uterine artery Doppler showed that the pulsatility index was significantly different between positive and negative clinical pregnancy groups, but resistance index and peak systolic velocity (PSV) did not have statistically significant differences. Also, endometrial perfusion was significantly different between the 2 groups of clinical pregnancy. Endometrial perfusion was significantly better in positive clinical pregnancy groups.

Conclusion

Doppler ultrasound can help to assess endometrial receptivity.

A predictive model for first-trimester pregnancy inception after IVF-ET based on multimodal ultrasound evaluation of endometrial receptivity

Background

In-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is a commonly used assisted reproductive technology. Its success depends on many factors, including endometrial receptivity. Endometrial receptivity can be evaluated by ultrasound, endometrial biopsy, and magnetic resonance imaging. Compared with the latter two methods, ultrasound has the advantages of wide availability, non-invasiveness, and low cost. Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging examines endometrial thickness, morphology, and blood vessels, which are associated with the success of embryo implantation. However, there are no reports of endometrial receptivity assessment by 3D ultrasound. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate endometrial receptivity using 3D ultrasound and construct a predictive model for first-trimester pregnancy inception following IVF-ET.

Methods

We performed a prospective observational study on infertile women who underwent IVF-ET between December 2019 and February 2021. These women had 3D ultrasound evaluations, measuring endometrial thickness, volume, pattern, morphology, peristalsis, uterine artery blood flow index, sub-endometrial blood flow index, and distribution pattern. We recorded the occurrence of first-trimester pregnancies in these women. Using Akaike information criterion (AIC) and backward stepwise regression, a first-trimester pregnancy prediction model was constructed based on the minimum AIC value and validated internally and externally.

Results

111 women were enrolled, with 103 included in the analysis. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses showed that endometrial thickness and vascularization flow index (VFI) were independent factors associated with the occurrence of a pregnancy. The final prediction model corresponding to the minimum AIC value (65.166) was Y = − 6.131–0.182endometrial thickness + 0.542endometrial volume + 4.374VFI + 0.132age. In the test set, modeling cohort, and external validation cohort, the model showed satisfactory differentiation, with C index of 0.841 (95%CI 0.699–0.817), 0.727 (95%CI 0.619–0.815), and 0.745 (95%CI 0.671–0.840), respectively. The Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fit tests reported P = 0.865, 0.139, and 0.070, respectively, indicating a high agreement with the actual IVF-ET outcome. This model reached the highest diagnostic efficiency (sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 75%, Youden index 0.639) at a diagnostic cut-off value of ≥ 0.360.

Conclusions

The predictive model based on endometrial receptivity evaluations by 3D ultrasound had high diagnostic efficiency and could be a simple and effective tool to predict first-trimester pregnancy inception after IVF-ET.

Assessment of uterine receptivity by endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow using SlowflowHD in hormone prepared frozen embryo transfer cycles: a pilot study

PURPOSE

Utilizing SlowflowHD as a measurement of endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow in women with infertility undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles and correlation with pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

A prospective pilot study of 99 women undergoing hormone replacement FET cycles. Ultrasounds were performed with Voluson E8 at 3-time points: day 15, day of transfer, and 11 days post transfer (T + 11). SlowflowHD Doppler blood flow indices in the endometrium and sub-endometrium were compared in women who achieved pregnancy with those who did not.

RESULTS

Using SlowflowHD, both pregnant and non-pregnant women had similar trends with decreased endometrial blood flow day of transfer compared with day 15. However, there was a borderline significantly lower mean percentage decrease of endometrial blood flow in women achieving a pregnancy (28.3% vs 42.9%). Significantly higher numbers of pregnant women had a 20% or less decrease in blood flow (21 vs 9) with increases in mean percentage blood flow on T + 11 (pregnant 39.59% vs non-pregnant 25.20%). The RI and S/D ratio in the spiral arteries was also significantly higher on transfer day in women who had a live birth RI (0.68 vs 0.65) and S/D (3.91 vs 3.17).

CONCLUSION

There are blood flow changes both in pregnant and non-pregnant patients with decreases in blood flow after progesterone replacement. Pregnancy and live births were associated with a lower mean percentage drop in blood flow from day 15 to the day of transfer and elevated RI and S/D ratio on transfer day.

Efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich fibrin for the treatment of infertility with intrauterine adhesions

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) for the treatment of infertility with intrauterine adhesions.

METHODS

Forty patients who suffered from infertility with intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) were enrolled in this prospective trial from October 2018 to December 2019. They were randomly divided into a PRF group and a control group. Both groups underwent transcervical resection of adhesions (TCRA) during the follicular phase. PRF group: PRF prepared from autologous venous blood was placed in the uterine cavity after TCRA and after the first menstrual re-fluid; control group: no PRF insertion. After the second menstrual re-fluid, both groups underwent hysteroscopy to reevaluate adhesion severity. Pregnancy rate, intrauterine adhesion score, menstrual volume and duration, and endometrial thickness were assessed and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

(1) PRF group pregnancy rate was significantly higher than the control group (55.0% vs. 20.0%). Mean follow-up time was (17.63 ± 2.33) months. All patients fell pregnant naturally. Four (PRF) and one (control) patients delivered live births without placental complications. (2) Intrauterine adhesion scores decreased compared with treatment-before. (3) In the pictorial blood loss assessment chart, score and menstrual duration during the 3rd menstrual cycle showed significant improvements for both groups. (4) Endometrial thickness also showed an increasing trend, and subendometrial bloodflow improved. (5) No treatment-related serious adverse events were noted.

CONCLUSION

Placing PRF into the uterine cavity of infertility patients with IUAs following TCRA is a safe and effective therapeutic method.

Comparison of frozen-thawed embryo transfer protocols in patients with previous cycle cancellation due to uterine peristalsis: a pilot study

Background/aim

To investigate the optimal protocol for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles in patients who previously had a cycle cancellation due to uterine peristalsis (UP).

Materials and methods

Thirty-four patients with previous embryo transfer (ET) cancellation due to UP during artificial cycle (AC) were included retrospectively. In the proceeding cycle, endometrium was prepared with AC (n: 23) in AC-FET group or with stimulated cycle that contains letrozole (L) (n: 11) in L-FET group. Intravenous bolus dose of 6.75 mg atosiban (Tractocile; Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Switzerland) injection was performed to all patients of AC-FET group due to UP ≥ 4/min on the planned ET day of proceeding cycle. Atosiban was not used in L-FET group. Primary outcome was live birth rate (LBR) per ET. Secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) per ET, implantation rate (IR), cycle cancellation rate.

Results

The baseline characteristics such as age, body mass index, antral follicle count, duration of infertility, and the number of prior in vitro fertilization attempts of each group were similar. The IR, CPR per ET, LBR per ET, CPR per cycle and LBR per cycle were significantly higher; cycle cancellation rates were significantly lower in L-FET group as compared to the AC-FET group.

Conclusion

Endometrial preparation with letrozole significantly improves CPR and LBR in FET cycles of patients with previous cycle cancellations due to UP.

Relationship between temporal changes of endometrial blood flow impedance during natural and hormone replacement cycles and prediction of pregnancy during vitrified-warmed embryo transfer

AIM

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the temporal changes in endometrial blood flow impedance during natural and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cycles and clinical outcomes of vitrified-warmed embryo transfer (ET).

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study included 60 women, 28 with natural, and 32 with HRT cycles, who underwent vitrified-warmed ET. Uterine radial artery resistance index (RA-RI) was measured during the natural and HRT cycles at the following time points: early follicular phase, day of the human chorionic gonadotropin injection during a natural cycle or day of progesterone administration during an HRT cycle, and day of ET.

RESULTS

The clinical pregnancy rates of the natural and HRT cycles were 32.1% and 34.4%, respectively. The RA-RI at the early follicular phase was significantly lower in the pregnant group than in the nonpregnant group with natural but not HRT cycles (p = 0.04). The odds ratio for pregnancy was 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.95) when the RA-RI value at the early follicular phase was increased by 0.01 in the natural cycle. With the natural cycle, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for the RA-RI at the early follicular phase with a threshold of 0.68 was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.57-0.93), and the positive and negative predictive values were 0.53 (95% CI, 0.37-0.59) and 0.92 (0.74-0.99), respectively.

CONCLUSION

RA-RI at the early follicular phase might be an effective and useful tool for deciding between natural or HRT cycles for vitrified-warmed ET.

Conventional and modern markers of endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Early reproductive failure is the most common complication of pregnancy with only 30% of conceptions reaching live birth. Establishing a successful pregnancy depends upon implantation, a complex process involving interactions between the endometrium and the blastocyst. It is estimated that embryos account for one-third of implantation failures, while suboptimal endometrial receptivity and altered embryo-endometrial dialogue are responsible for the remaining two-thirds. Endometrial receptivity has been the focus of extensive research for over 80 years, leading to an indepth understanding of the processes associated with embryo-endometrial cross-talk and implantation. However, little progress has been achieved to translate this understanding into clinically meaningful prognostic tests and treatments for suboptimal endometrial receptivity.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The objective of this systematic review was to examine the evidence from observational studies supporting the use of endometrial receptivity markers as prognostic factors for pregnancy outcome in women wishing to conceive, in order to aid clinicians in choosing the most useful marker in clinical practice and for informing further research.

SEARCH METHODS

The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017077891). MEDLINE and Embase were searched for observational studies published from inception until 26 February 2018. We included studies that measured potential markers of endometrial receptivity prior to pregnancy attempts and reported the subsequent pregnancy outcomes. We performed association and accuracy analyses using clinical pregnancy as an outcome to reflect the presence of receptive endometrium. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies was employed to assess the quality of the included studies.

OUTCOMES

We included 163 studies (88 834 women) of moderate overall quality in the narrative synthesis, out of which 96 were included in the meta-analyses. Studies reported on various endometrial receptivity markers evaluated by ultrasound, endometrial biopsy, endometrial fluid aspirate and hysteroscopy in the context of natural conception, IUI and IVF. Associations were identified between clinical pregnancy and various endometrial receptivity markers (endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, Doppler indices, endometrial wave-like activity and various molecules); however, their poor ability to predict clinical pregnancy prevents them from being used in clinical practice. Results from several modern molecular tests are promising and further data are awaited.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

The post-test probabilities from our analyses may be used in clinical practice to manage couples' expectations during fertility treatments (IUI and IVF). Conventionally, endometrial receptivity is seen as a dichotomous outcome (present or absent), but we propose that various levels of endometrial receptivity exist within the window of implantation. For instance, different transcriptomic signatures could represent varying levels of endometrial receptivity, which can be linked to different pregnancy outcomes. Many studies reported the means of a particular biomarker in those who achieved a pregnancy compared with those who did not. However, extreme values of a biomarker (as opposite to the means) may have significant prognostic and diagnostic implications that are not captured in the means. Therefore, we suggest reporting the outcomes by categories of biomarker levels rather than reporting means of biomarker levels within clinical outcome groups.

Identification and characterization of uterine micro-peristalsis in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer via dynamic ultrasound features

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the existence of uterine micro-peristalsis (UMP) by dynamic ultrasound features and evaluate the feasibility of UMP as a tool to distinguish pregnant and non-pregnant infertility patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), using clinical pregnancy results as a benchmark.

METHODS

Fifty-one women, including 29 pregnant and 22 non-pregnant patients were recruited. Also, ultrasound videos were collected before embryo transfer. First of all, undiscoverable uterine micro-peristalsis was magnified by video magnification. Then, the dynamic features of UMP were characterized by a novel index termed histogram entropy based on the micro-peristalsis feature selection by entropy weight (HEMEW), which was generated by combining frame difference and volume local phase quantization. Finally, a comparative experiment of HEMEW between non-pregnant and pregnant patients, logistic regression analysis for HEMEW and other independent clinical characteristics, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The magnified uterine video clearly exhibited UMP, which was invisible in the original ultrasound video. Further, there existed a significant difference in HEMEW between pregnant patients and non-pregnant patients after micro-motion magnification (p = 0.003, n = 51). The logistic regression result showed that HEMEW (p = 0.006) was significantly associated with clinical pregnancy outcome, while other independent variables had no significant effect on it. The ROC performance of HEMEW was 72.6% accuracy (AUC = 0.774, 95% CI: 0.644-0.905).

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed micro-motion magnification and characterization strategy identified the existences of uterine micro-peristalsis, and verified that UMP has the feasibility to distinguish the outcomes of IVF-ET.

Endometrial receptivity and conception outcome among women with light menstrual bleeding of unidentified etiology

OBJECTIVE

To investigate endometrial receptivity (ER), conception outcome, and other factors among women with light menstrual bleeding of unidentified etiology.

METHODS

A prospective study was undertaken at a center in China. Between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014, women meeting the inclusion criteria (aged 20-35 years, without any history of pregnancy, desire to conceive, follicle-stimulating hormone <10 IU on second or third day of cycle, and regular menstrual periods) were enrolled. Participants with a menstrual blood volume of 5-20 mL formed the study group; others were in the control group. ER measures were obtained by transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were measured and items of prethrombotic state were screened in mid-luteal phase. Participants were followed up for 1 year to establish conception outcome.

RESULTS

The ER (Salle) score was significantly lower in the study group (n=110) than in the control group (n=330; 9.41 ± 3.02 vs 15.67 ± 2.63, P<0.001). The natural rate of conception within 1 year was lower (60.0% [63/105] vs 72.1% [230/319], P=0.020), and the spontaneous abortion rate in early pregnancy was higher (34.4% [21/61] vs 18.1% [41/227], P=0.006) in the study group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Women with light menstrual bleeding of unidentified etiology had an increased prevalence of low ER and poor conception outcome.

Autologous Intrauterine Platelet-Rich Plasma Instillation for Suboptimal Endometrium in Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles: A Pilot Study

Introduction:

This pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intrauterine infusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in infertile women undergoing frozen embryo transfer cycles with suboptimal endometrium.

Material and Methods:

Intrauterine instillation of autologous PRP was done in 68 women between 22 and 40 years, over 8 months, with suboptimal endometrial growth, and patients with repeated cycle cancellations, in addition to Estradiol valerate. Frozen embryo transfer was performed when the endometrium reached an optimal pattern in terms of thickness, appearance, and vascularity.

Results:

The mean pre-PRP endometrial thickness (ET) was 5 mm which significantly increased to 7.22 mm post-PRP. There was a significant increase in vascularity, seen by the number of vascular signals seen on Power Doppler, reaching the zones 3 and 4 of the endometrium. The positive beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) rate was 60.93% and the clinical pregnancy rate was 45.31%. A total of 13 women are in the second trimester, 13 are in the first trimester with a healthy intrauterine pregnancy, one patient had an ectopic gestation, three had blighted ova, two had missed abortions, and two biochemical pregnancies.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that the use of autologous PRP holds promise in the treatment of women with suboptimal ET and vascularity for embryo transfer. It would help to reduce the incidence of cycle cancellations and thus even help reduce the financial and psychological burden of repeated cancelled cycles.

Predicting of successful implantation at IVF cycles

Many of the uterine infertility factors are associated with chronic endometritis. Its prevalence reaches 92.6%. Quality of endometrial transformation during the "implantation window" is the basis of successful fertility. In our retrospective comparative study of 101 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, the efficacy of transvaginal Doppler ultrasound (TVDUS) in predicting successful implantation was evaluated. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age younger than 41 years and good quality of embryos. Exclusion criteria were as follows: 41 and older age, poor quality of embryos and uterine cavity lesions. The 1st group included 38 cases with the presence of endometrial blood flow (EBF). The 2nd group included 63 cases with the absence of EBF. TVDUS was performed before embryo transfer (ET). Significant differences of EBF were connected with age and duration of infertility. In women of less than 31 years old, EBF was detected in 47.4% cases versus 26.3% women of older age. EBF was not detected in 74.6% of the cases of duration of infertility for 5 years and more. Pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the 1st group (63.1% versus 39.7%) and when endometrial thickness was 8-11 mm (52.1% versus 30.0%). We offer routine evaluation of endometrial thickness and EBF with TVDUS as a very helpful approach for predicting the implantation in IVF cycles.

Comparison of Uterine Receptivity between Fertile and Unexplained Infertile Women by Assessment of Endometrial and Subendometrial Perfusion Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: Which Index is Better--Peak Intensity or Area under the Curve?

The goal of this study was to compare uterine receptivity between women with normal fertility and those with unexplained infertility during natural cycles by assessment of endometrial and subendometrial perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). We wanted to determine the better index: peak intensity (PI) or area under the curve (AUC). Thirty women with unexplained infertility were recruited into the study group, and 30 women with normal fertility were recruited into the control group. All women underwent CEUS during the late proliferative phase, ovulation phase, and implantation window of a menstrual cycle. Endometrial PI, endometrial AUC, subendometrial PI and subendometrial AUC were analyzed. In the late proliferative phase, the control group had a significantly higher endometrial PI (p < 0.001) as well as subendometrial PI (p < 0.001) and AUC (p = 0.004) than the study group. In the ovulation phase, the control group had a significantly higher endometrial PI (p < 0.001) and AUC (p = 0.021), as well as subendometrial PI (p < 0.001) and AUC (p = 0.003). During the implantation window, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Only subendometrial PI underwent a significant periodic change during the menstrual cycle in both groups. This finding was further confirmed by evaluation of the microvessel density of endometria. In conclusion, CEUS can be used to assess endometrial and subendometrial perfusion to evaluate uterine receptivity. Subendometrial PI was the most sensitive index compared with endometrial PI, endometrial AUC and subendometrial AUC.

Menstrual preconditioning for the prevention of major obstetrical syndromes in polycystic ovary syndrome

The presence of multiple ovarian cysts, anovulation, and endometrial progesterone resistance in the neonate seems remarkably similar to ovarian and endometrial features of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) of adolescent and adult women. In fact, in the absence of cyclic menstruations after menarche, the neonatal progesterone resistance is likely to persist and adversely affect young women with PCOS at the time of pregnancy after induction of ovulation, because any persisting defect in progesterone response can interfere with the process of decidualization and trophoblast invasion. The primigravid woman with PCOS therefore is likely to be at risk of defective deep placentation as manifested by the increased risk of major obstetric syndromes. A recent, large epidemiologic study has demonstrated that the risk of preeclampsia and preterm delivery is elevated in the 13- to 15-year old group, although it does not persist in the 16- to 17-year old group. It is proposed therefore that induction of ovulation in the infertile nulligravid woman with PCOS should be preceded by a period of progesterone withdrawal bleedings to achieve full endometrial progesterone response by the time of pregnancy. The cyclic administration of clomiphene citrate for a period to be determined by vascular response may be an appropriate tool to reduce the risk of major obstetric syndromes by menstrual preconditioning.