Implantation: Endometrial thickness appears to be a significant factor in embryo implantation in in-vitro fertilization

Abstract

To evaluate the role of endometrial thickness and pattern in in-vitro fertilization (IVF), these parameters were prospectively measured in 516 cycles of IVF with embryo transfer at our clinic. Pregnancy and embryo implantation rates were assessed for each mm of endometrial thickness and for each of three endometrial patterns. Embryo implantation, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the patients with an endometrial thickness > 9 mm (24.4, 48.6 and 42.2% respectively) compared with those of < 9 mm (14.3, 16.0 and 11.7% respectively; P < 0.005). Endometrial thickness was negatively influenced by age and positively influenced by oestradiol concentration. The majority of patients (69.8%) exhibited a 'ring' endometrial pattern. Embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy (statistically significant), as well as ongoing pregnancy rates (not statistically significant), were lower in patients exhibiting the 'solid' pattern. Endometrial thickness is independent of pattern in its effect on pregnancy outcome. In conclusion, endometrial thickness > 9 mm as well as ring and intermediate endometrial patterns denoted a more favourable prognosis for pregnancy in IVF but thinner endometrium and those exhibiting a solid configuration had an acceptable pregnancy outcome.

Autotaxin–lysophosphatidic acid– LPA 3 signaling at the embryo‐epithelial boundary controls decidualization pathways

“…In in vitro fertilization (IVF), endometrial thickness is highly correlated with the success rate of implantation and pregnancy (Noyes et al , 1995; Lim & Wang, 2010). Interestingly, patients with recurrent implantation failure in IVF treatment have reduced LPA 3 levels (Achache et al , 2010).…”

Natural cycle cryo-thaw transfer may improve pregnancy outcome

“…Tubal disease as an etiology of infertility was also reported as a negative factor in cryothaw embryo transfer [2]. Endometrial thickness at a time of transfer greater than 9 mm was reported to be a positive prognostic factor for embryo implantation in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) [3,4]. One of the debated topics in the field of embryo transfer is whether hormone replacement therapy with exogenous estrogen prior to transfer improves pregnancy rates as opposed to cryo-thaw transfer in natural cycles.…”

Thin unresponsive endometrium—a possible complication of surgical curettage compromising ART outcome

“…Despite the existence of quite a few published studies, the prognostic value of ultrasonographic endometrial thickness measurements (and other parameters) in predicting implantation and pregnancy rates remains controversial. Some investigators have demonstrated a positive correlation between endometrial thickness and pregnancy rates [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]11] while others have not found such an association [9,10,[12][13][14], or only in association with other parameters [15,16]. However, these differences may be in part attributed to different patient populations, stimulation protocols used or measurement timing.…”

“…While some studies have shown that this parameter is important for predicting the outcome of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], other studies have failed to show such a positive relationship [9][10][11][12][13][14]. In a third category of studies the endometrial thickness was related to the IVF outcome, but only in correlation with other parameters [15,16].…”