PREDICTIVE VALUE OF THE ECHOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOMETRIUM ON IMPLANTATION RATE IN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION IN UNSTIMULATED CYCLE

Abstract

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine whether endometrial features such as thickness, type and subendometrial movements observed by ultrasound on the day of embryo transfer in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in natural cycles, can predict implantation outcome.Methods. One hundred and eight natural IVF cycles in which the embryo transfer was performed were included in a prospective study. One hour prior to embryo transfer vaginal ultrasound examination was done to measure endometrial thickness, asses endometrial pattern and movements. The thickness and the type of endometrium were estimated in sagital plane of the uterus. Estimations of the direction of movements, amplitude and the amount of waves regarding the length of uterine cavity were performed. Women were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of those who conceived and the second of those who did not.Results. The average age of women was 32.8 ± 4.07 years. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, estradiol level and average follicle diameter on the day of hCG application. Pregnancy rate on embryo transfer being 22.2% (24/108), and 84 women (77.8%) did not conceived. The thickness, type and endometrial movements were similar in both groups, therefore, not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Duration of menstrual cycles prior to hCG application in no concived group was shorter, statistically significant (p = 0.002).Conclusions. On the basis owing to ultrasound characteristics such as subendometrial movements, thickness and pattern on the day of embryo transfer in the natural IVF/ICSI cycle have no predictive value of embryo implantation.

Keywords

• in vitro fertilisation
• natural cyclus
• sonographic endometrial characteristics
• prediction embryo implantation