Endometrial receptivity plays a crucial role in embryo implantation and successful pregnancy; however, the key molecules or mechanisms associated with it are still unclear. Various methods used to identify biomarkers of endometrial receptivity include blood and uterine fluid analysis, endometrial ultrasonography, and biopsy examination. Now, in a genome-wide observational study, researchers have highlighted the potential of micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) as biomarker of endometrial receptivity in natural and stimulated cycles. Continue Reading

A recent prospective cohort study has reported that cycle pregnancy rates (CPR) are better with single intrauterine insemination (IUI) timed post ovulation, compared to pre-ovulation, in patients with non-male infertility. However, pre-ovulation double IUI, compared to single IUI, was seen to offer better CPR for male factor-related infertility. Continue Reading

Endometrial thickness, an indirect indicator for endometrial receptivity, has been used as a marker for assessing the receptivity of the endometrium and pregnancy rates in ART cycles. A new retrospective study published in the journal, La Tunisie Medicale has suggested that endometrial thickness greater than 12 mm may enhance IVF outcomes, and reported the correlation of endometrial thickness with statistically significant success rates of ICSI cycles. Continue Reading

A recent randomized study, published in the journal, Gynecological Endocrinology, has validated that ultrasound guided aspiration of hydrosalpingeal fluid (HSF) during oocyte retrieval is a simple and safe method in the management of patients with hydrosalpinx. The study also reported that the procedure is effective in improving the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes, specifically in patients without uterine fluid collection or quick re-accruement of HSF following aspiration. Continue Reading

A new study published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online reports improvement in pain symptoms, fertility outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction rates following surgical resection of bowel endometriosis in women with infertility. Continue Reading

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommend surgical excision of endometriomas ≥4 cm diameter prior to IVF. However, its presence on the ovarian reserve is not clearly known. A recent study published in Fertility and Sterility concludes that there is no effect on the number of oocytes retrieved during IVF cycles. Continue Reading

A recent controlled clinical trial highlights that the underlying mechanism for the positive effect of endometrial biopsy on improved implantation rate in IVF cycles could be attributed to an injury-induced inflammatory response. The findings, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility further suggest that the increased expression of the macrophage inflammatory protein 1B (MIP-1B) could serve as a marker for predicting implantation competence. Continue Reading

A recent prospective clinical study reports that a reduction in the proportion of CD4⁺CD25 (high) regulatory T cells (Treg) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression in the peripheral blood and decidua could play a role in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (URSA). The findings of the study are published in the recent issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility. Continue Reading

Different regimens are used for priming the uterine environment before frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), including allowing spontaneous ovulatory cycles, ovulation induction using drugs, and the use of hormones for artificial preparation of endometrium, and there is no clear evidence regarding the superiority of one protocol over the other. A recent randomized controlled trial has reported that ongoing pregnancy rates are higher when frozen-thawed embryos are transferred after spontaneous, natural ovulatory cycles, compared to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced natural cycles. The findings of the study have been published in the recent issue of Fertility and Sterility. Continue Reading