Relationships of thickness and types of endometria in window of implantation and leukemia inhibitory factor with outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Objective To explore the possible relationships of thickness and types of endometria in the window of implantation and leukemia inhibitory factor( LIF) in uterine flushing fluid with the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer( IVF-ET). Methods A total of 105 patients with infertility who underwent in vitro fertilization( IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection( ICSI) were examined in the window of implantation( 7-9days after ovulation) before the previous cycle of IVF-ET. The thickness and sonographic appearance of endometrium was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography,and the concentrations of LIF in uterine flushing fluid by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA). Results Sixty-four patients were successful in pregnancy and 41 patients failed after treatment. There was no difference in age,infertility time and infertility type between pregnant women and non-pregnant women. The endometrial thickness in the window of implantation of pregnant women was significantly less than that of non-pregnant ones [( 11. 89 ± 1. 63) mm vs( 13.72 ±2.39) mm]( P 0.05). The endometrial thickness was divided into three groups: 7-10mm,10-13mm and 13-17mm,and the corresponding pregnant rates were 40%,72. 73% and 41. 38%. The endometrial type of 50 women was A,of 36 women was B and of 19 women was C,and the corresponding pregnant rates were 70%,63. 9% and 31. 6%. There was significant difference in the pregnant rate between type A and B,between type A and C( all P 0. 05),but there was no significant difference between type B and C( P 0. 025). The concentration of LIF in uterine flushing fluid of pregnancy group was higher than non-pregnancy group [( 41. 19 ± 31. 02) pg /mL vs( 23. 43 ± 23. 09) pg /mL]( P 0. 05). Conclusions It is important to examine the thickness and types of endometria by transvaginal ultrasonography and the concentration of LIF in uterine flushing fluid in the previous cycle of IVF-ET for the assessment of endometrial receptivity and prediction of IVF-ET outcome.