Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Osemwenkha AP and Osaikhuwuomwan JA
Background: The endometrium undergoes cyclic changes during the menstrual cycle in preparation for implantation. Successful implantation depends on a close interaction between the embryo and the receptive endometrium. The association between endometrial thickness and IVF outcome was investigated in this study.
Objective: To study the prognostic effect of endometrial thickness on outcome of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles
Method: A retrospective analysis of 267 IVF/ICSI cycles between 2009 and 2011 at Human reproductive research program of University of Benin Teaching Hospital was conducted. Cycle parameters were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant patients, main outcome measure being clinical pregnancy following IVF cycles. The endometrial thickness was measured on the day of human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) administration. The clinical pregnancy rates at each millimeter of endometrial thickness was evaluated to determine its predictive role
Results: Fifty-four among 267 cycles (20.2%) resulted in clinical pregnancy. The endometrial thickness on day of hCG administration was significantly higher in pregnant group compared to non-pregnant group [10.1 ± 1.7 mm versus 8.9 ± 2.0; p<0.0001). The endometrial thickness cut-off value of at least 7 mm strongly correlated with clinical pregnancy.
Conclusion: Amongst other factors a thicker endometrial lining is associated with higher pregnancy rates. Effort should be made to institute protocols that will improve endometrial growth as a means of improving cycle outcome.