The associated factors to endometrial cavity fluid and the relevant impact on the IVF-ET outcome

Rong-Huan He,Xiao-Ming Zhu,Hui-Juan Gao,Ya-Qiong Li

doi:10.1186/1477-7827-8-46

Abstract

BackgroundEndometrial cavity fluid (ECF) is a fluid accumulation within the endometrial cavity. The significance of ECF remains unclear during the program of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The aim of the present study was to investigate the associated factors to ECF, visualized through ultrasound at the day of oocyte retrieval, and the relevant impact on the outcome of IVF-ET.MethodsFrom the clinical data of 1557 infertility patients for IVF-ET program, 46 ECF patients were retrospectively selected as the ECF group; and another 134 patients with a bilateral salpingectomy and without ECF, selected as the control group. The demographics and the outcome of IVF-ET were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe incidence of ECF was 2.95% (46/1557). Over half (28/46, 60.87%) of ECF patients had tubal infertility. Only 12 Of 46 ECF patients (26.09%) had visible hydrosalpinx on ultrasonography before ovarian stimulation. The cycle cancellation rate (4/46, 8.69%) of ECF group was not significantly higher than that of the control group (6/134, 4.48%; P > 0.05). Reasons for cycle cancellation in both groups were all the high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). No significant difference was found in clinical pregnancy rate between the patients with their ECF <3.5 mm in the anterior-posterior diameter (APD) and the control group (35.48% versus 30.47%; P > 0.05). No clinical pregnancy was found among those patients with their ECF equal or higher 3.5 mm in APD.ConclusionsIt was tubal infertility, not hydrosalpinx, which was related to the development of ECF. Excessive ECF (equal or higher 3.5 mm in APD) at the day of oocyte retrieval would have a negative impact on the outcome of IVF-ET.

Highlights

Endometrial cavity fluid (ECF) is a fluid accumulation within the endometrial cavity
The clinical data of 1557 cycles of infertility patients that enrolled in our in vitro fertilization (IVF) program between March 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007 was retrospectively reviewed. 46 patients were selected as the ECF group, in which there was a fluid accumulation equal or higher1.0 mm in the anterior-posterior diameter (APD) in the uterine cavity of each patient at the day of oocyte retrieval; and another 134 ones with a bilateral salpingectomy selected as the control group, in which no fluid accumulation was detected in their uterine cavities at the day of oocyte retrieval
All the fluid accumulation was emerged at the time of oocyte retrieval, after HCG administration

Summary

Introduction

Endometrial cavity fluid (ECF) is a fluid accumulation within the endometrial cavity. The significance of ECF remains unclear during the program of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The aim of the present study was to investigate the associated factors to ECF, visualized through ultrasound at the day of oocyte retrieval, and the relevant impact on the outcome of IVF-ET. The importance of endometrial thickness during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles has been documented much, the significance of ECF remains unclear [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. ECF after ovarian stimulation and before embryo transfer (ET) is not a common complication in IVF, but excessive uterine fluid is detrimental to embryo implantation [1,2]. We found many cases with ECF had their babies successfully through their IVF program. Is there a defining value of ECF, above which, the negative impact of ECF on the outcome of IVF-ET is great; and under which, the negative impact might be little?

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