Endometrial thickness and volume in the prediction of pregnancy outcome after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of endometrial thickness and volume in the prediction of clinical outcome after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Methods A total of 254 cases of infertile women who were underwent IVF-ET therapy in the Reproduction Center of Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical College of Nanjing University from December 2012 to May 2013 were enrolled in the study.Analyze case history and data retrospectively.According to clinical pregnancy result, they were divided into pregnancy group (n=160) and non-pregnancy group (n=94). Transvaginal ultrasound scan and 3D reconstruction were applied accordingly for every patient on the day when human chorionic gonadotrophin(hCG) was injected, and got data of endometrial thickness and volume. Use receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve to evaluate the accuracy of endometrial thickness and volume for predicting IVF-ET clinical outcome. There were no significant differences between two groups in general clinical characteristics including age, years of infertility and follicles aspirated, etc.. Results Within the 254 recruited patients, the pregnancy rate was 63.0%(160/254). Endometrial thickness and endometrial volume of pregnant group were thicker or bigger than those of non-pregnant group, and the differences were statistically significant[(11.0±1.8) mm vs (10.2±1.9) mm, t=3.114, P=0.002; (5.5±1.9) mL vs (4.3±1.9) mL, t=4.831, P 0.05). In the prediction of clinical outcome, the sensitivity and specificity of endometrial volume were 76.9% and 55.3% at the optimal critical value of 4.1 mL. Conclusions Both endometrial thickness and volume could offer only moderate accuracy in the prediction of clinical outcome in patients undergo IVF-ET therapy. Key words: Fertilization in vitro; Imaging, three-dimensional; Ultrasonography; Endometrium