Endometrial secretion aspiration prior to embryo transfer does not reduce implantation rates

Abstract

Analysis of protein patterns in endometrial secretion fluid may offer a relatively non-invasive means of assessing endometrial receptivity during fertility treatment cycles. In order to study the impact of the removal of endometrial secretions on embryo implantation, a prospective matched controlled study was performed. In 66 women undergoing IVF, endometrial fluid was obtained transcervically by aspiration just prior to embryo transfer (study group). Biochemical and ongoing pregnancy rates were compared with 66 control patients matched for stimulation treatment protocol, age, number of collected oocytes and number of high quality embryos. The protein content and uterine fluid protein profile in each sample was determined. Respective biochemical and ongoing pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were 36 and 33% in patients who underwent aspiration of endometrial secretion, compared with 33 and 30% respectively in matched control patients ( P = 0.84 and P = 0.85). The protein content in endometrial fluid was sufficient for protein pattern analysis. Uterine fluid aspiration prior to IVF embryo transfer is a safe method for obtaining sufficient material for uterine secretion electrophoresis, thus allowing analysis of protein patterns serving as receptivity markers during treatment cycles. This technique may offer a novel tool for assessing endometrial receptivity during treatment cycles without affecting implantation rates.