Reports on clinical uses of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have dramatically increased in the last decade. Indications for PRP therapy range from muscle and skeletal injuries to hair re-growth. More recently evidences have shown its positive effects in promoting endometrial and follicular growth and gestation in assisted reproduction cycles. We discuss the putative role of PRP on endometrial receptivity, with a brief history of its applications in research and clinical therapies. Despite its widespread uses in medicine, the mechanisms through which PRP exerts its regenerative effects are only postulated, not based on scientific data. There is an unmet need for advanced research to corroborate present findings in the clinical scenario.
The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve endometrial receptivity is gaining increasing attention in assisted reproduction technologies. The authors report that autologous PRP intrauterine administration improves pregnancy and birth rates, particularly in cases of patients presenting poor endometrial growth. Different groups of scientists proposed a similar approach years ago using whole blood-derived products also to improve endometrial receptivity. The important role played by cytokines and growth factors during embryo implantation has been well-known for a long time. These signaling molecules are present and released by blood cells during physiological, normal endometrial growth and implantation. Similar blood mediators are released from platelet granules upon a blood vessel injury. Methods described for PRP preparation for intrauterine administration are not precise, and they seem to be similar to those used to prepare peripheral blood-derived products. Thus, it is possible that when preparing PRP from whole blood, the final plasma product used as BPRP^contains platelets in addition to the important cytokines and growth factors released by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells present in the whole blood. Precise knowledge of the identity, concentration, and effects of the individual blood factors, their origin, whether platelets or blood mononuclear cells, will greatly contribute to improve and to make results obtained in fertility treatments more repeatable.
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