Correlation between Endometrial Thickness and IVF Outcome in an African Population

Osemwenkha Ap Osaikhuwuomwan Ja

doi:10.4172/2161-0932.1000119

Abstract

Background: The endometrium undergoes cyclic changes during the menstrual cycle in preparation for implantation. Successful implantation depends on a close interaction between the embryo and the receptive endometrium. The association between endometrial thickness and IVF outcome was investigated in this study. Objective: To study the prognostic effect of endometrial thickness on outcome of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles Method: A retrospective analysis of 267 IVF/ICSI cycles between 2009 and 2011 at Human reproductive research program of University of Benin Teaching Hospital was conducted. Cycle parameters were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant patients, main outcome measure being clinical pregnancy following IVF cycles. The endometrial thickness was measured on the day of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) administration. The clinical pregnancy rates at each millimeter of endometrial thickness was evaluated to determine its predictive role Results: Fifty-four among 267 cycles (20.2%) resulted in clinical pregnancy. The endometrial thickness on day of hCG administration was significantly higher in pregnant group compared to non-pregnant group [10.1 ± 1.7 mm versus 8.9 ± 2.0; p<0.0001). The endometrial thickness cut-off value of at least 7 mm strongly correlated with clinical pregnancy. Conclusion: Amongst other factors a thicker endometrial lining is associated with higher pregnancy rates. Effort should be made to institute protocols that will improve endometrial growth as a means of improving cycle outcome.

Highlights

Since the advent of assisted reproduction advances have been made in areas of ovarian stimulation regimen, method of assisted fertilization and improved culture techniques, yet the implantation potential of good quality embryo remains low
The endometrial thickness on day of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) administration was significantly higher in pregnant group compared to non-pregnant group [10.1 ± 1.7 mm versus 8.9 ± 2.0; p
The endometrial thickness cut-off value of at least 7 mm strongly correlated with clinical pregnancy

Summary

Introduction

Since the advent of assisted reproduction advances have been made in areas of ovarian stimulation regimen, method of assisted fertilization and improved culture techniques, yet the implantation potential of good quality embryo remains low. Successful implantation depends on a close interaction between the blastocyst and the receptive endometrium. Abnormalities of the endometrium such as asherman’s syndrome that may prevent these changes have been associated with low implantation and high abortion rates [2]. Albeit there is still no consensus on the correlation between endometrial characteristics and pregnancy rate demonstrated by several studies [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. Some other studies have failed to demonstrate any correlation between endometrial thickness and pregnancy [13,14]. Successful implantation depends on a close interaction between the embryo and the receptive endometrium. The association between endometrial thickness and IVF outcome was investigated in this study

Methods

Results

Conclusion