Determination of endometrial receptivity by three-dimensional power ultrasound for evaluation of pregnancy outcome after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of endometrial receptivity determination by transvaginal three-dimensional power ultrasound in the prediction of pregnancy outcome after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Methods:A total of 220 infertile patients who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from July 2018 to July 2021 were included in this study. Before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, all patients were tested for endometrial receptivity by transvaginal two-dimensional and three-dimensional power ultrasound. Pregnancy outcomes were followed up. Anatomical indexes (endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, and endometrial morphology) and endometrial blood flow indexes [endometrial blood flow type, pulsation index, resistance index (RI), ratio of peak systolic velocity to end-diastolic velocity (S/D), vascularization index (Vl), blood flow index (FI) and vascular blood flow index (VFI)] were compared between different pregnancy outcomes. Results:There were no significant differences in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, and endometrial morphology between successful pregnancy and failed pregnancy groups ( t or χ2 = 0.23-0.54, P = 0.523-0.890). There was no significant difference in endometrial blood flow typing between successful pregnancy and failed pregnancy groups ( χ2 = 0.217, P = 0.897). PI, RI, and S/D in the successful pregnancy group were (2.46 ± 0.29), (1.07 ± 0.21), and (0.57 ± 0.10), respectively, which were significantly lower than (2.71 ± 0.34), (1.35 ± 0.24), and (0.66 ± 0.11) in the failed pregnancy group ( t = 4.51, 5.27, 3.43, all P < 0.001). VI, FI, and VFI values in the successful pregnancy group were (23.04 ± 2.95), (32.26 ± 3.17), and (6.59 ± 0.94) respectively, which were significantly higher than (16.85 ± 2.17), (28.42 ± 3.04), and (4.88 ± 0.86) in the failed pregnancy group ( t = 10.94, 6.25, 8.37; all P < 0.001). Conclusion:Endometrial blood flow parameters such as PI, RI, S/D, VI, FI, and VFI determined by transvaginal three-dimensional power ultrasound have a certain predictive value for pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. They can be used as sensitive indexes for evaluating endometrial receptivity.

Research progress in prevention and treatment of repeated implantation failure by TCM compounds based on "Yu Pei Qi Sun" theory / 国际中医中药杂志

Women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) may experience repeated implantation failure (RIF). Under the guidance of "Yu Pei Qi Sun" theory, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds can improve the quality of sperm and eggs of both husband and wife by anti-oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial function and reducing excessive apoptosis before IVF-ET to obtain high-quality embryos; TCM compounds can also promote angiogenesis, anti-oxidative stress, regulation of estrogen and progesterone receptor content, regulate immunity to improve female endometrial receptivity to facilitate embryo implantation; it can also invigorate the spleen and kidney after transplantation and caring for the fetus to help implantation, as well as alleviate the anxiety of patients during transplantation.

Effects of staged acupuncture on endometrial receptivity and anxiety in patients with recurrent implantation failure of thin endometrium based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy between staged acupuncture based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory combined with routine hormone replacement cycle treatment and routine hormone replacement cycle treatment for patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) of thin endometrium.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 RIF patients with thin endometrium were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with routine hormone replacement cycle treatment. Based on the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with staged acupuncture based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory. The main acupoints were Neiguan (PC 6) and Gongsun (SP 4), and the supplementary acupoints were selected according to the menstrual cycle and syndrome differentiation; the acupuncture was given once every other day, 3 times a week, for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. The thickness and shape of endometrium, and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score were observed at implantation window before and after treatment; the clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate and cycle cancellation rate were compared between the two groups; the correlation between endometrial thickness and HAMA score was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the endometrial thickness in the two groups and the proportion of type A+B endometrium in the observation group were increased (P<0.05), and the HAMA scores in the two groups were decreased (P<0.05) after treatment. The above indexes in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the cycle cancellation rate was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between endometrial thickness and HAMA score (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Based on the routine hormone replacement cycle treatment, the addition use of staged acupuncture based on "thoroughfare vessel is the sea of blood" theory could improve the thickness and shape of endometrium, relieve anxiety, increase the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate, and reduce the cycle cancellation rate in RIF patients with thin endometrium. The curative effect is superior to the routine hormone replacement cycle treatment alone.

Molecular signature of immunological mechanism behind impaired endometrial receptivity in polycystic ovarian syndrome

ABSTRACT Objective: Despite the treatment of anovulation, infertility is still one of the main complications in PCOS women during reproductive age, which appears to be mainly due to impaired uterine receptivity. This study investigated the transcriptome profiles of endometrium in PCOS patients and healthy fertile individuals as the control group. Material and methods: Total mRNA was extracted from endometrial tissues of PCOS patients (n = 12) and healthy fertile individuals (n = 10) during the luteal phase. After cDNA synthesis, PCR array was performed using Human Female Infertility RT² Profiler PCR Array kit (Qiagen, Cat. No: PAHS-164Z) for evaluating expression of 84 genes contributing to the female infertility. Results: PCR Array data analysis identified significantly greater expression of CSF, IL11, IL15, IL1r1, IL1b, TNF, LIF, TNFRSF10B, TGFβ, C3, ITGA4 (Cd49d), SPP1, and Calca in PCOS women than in controls (P < 0.05). However, the expression of LIFR, C2, CD55, CFD, CALCA, LAM1, LAMC2, MMP2, MMP7, MMP9, ESR, SELL, ITGB3, and VCAM1 was significantly lower in PCOS group than in controls (P < 0.05). The results revealed dysregulation of immune-inflammatory molecules, complement activation and downregulation of IGF-I as well as adhesion molecules in PCOS group. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated some potential causes of reduced receptivity of endometrium thus compromising the fertility in PCOS patients.

Effect of acupuncture on pregnancy outcomes of frozen embryo transfer in patients with anovulatory infertility / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of conventional ovulation induction protocol and acupuncture combined with conventional ovulation induction protocol on pregnancy outcomes of frozen embryo transfer (FET) in patients with anovulatory infertility.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with anovulatory infertility were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. In the control group, conventional ovulation induction protocol was applied to prepare endometrium. On the basis of the control group, acupuncture was started on the 2nd day of menstrual cycle in the observation group，Baihui (GV 20), Mingmen (GV 4), Geshu (BL 17), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. were selected, once every other day, until 1 day before transplantation. The clinical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, endometrial morphology on HCG trigger day, ovulation rate and cycle cancellation rate were compared in the two groups. The endometrial thickness before treatment and on HCG trigger day, TCM symptom score before and after treatment were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#In the observation group, the embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were higher than the control group (P<0.05), endometrial thickness and endometrial morphology on HCG trigger day were superior to the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom score in the observation group was decreased compared with before treatment (P<0.05), and the variation was greater than the control group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of the conventional ovulation induction protocol, acupuncture could enhance the embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate of FET, improve the endometrial receptivity of patients with anovulatory infertility.

Effects of hydrosalpinx on endometrial implantation failures: evaluating salpingectomy in women undergoing in vitro fertilization / Efeitos do hydrosalpinx no falho de implantação endometrial: Avaliar a salpingectomia nas mulheres em curso de fertilização in vitro

Abstract Hydrosalpinx is a disease characterized by the obstruction of the salpinx, with progressive accumulation in the shape of a fluid-filled sac at the distal part of the tuba uterina, and closed to the ovary. Women with hydrosalpinges have lower implantation and pregnancy rates due to a combination of mechanical and chemical factors thought to disrupt the endometrial environment. Evidence suggests that the presence of hydrosalpinx reduces the rate of pregnancy with assisted reproductive technology. The main aim of the present is review to make an overview of the possible effects of hydrosalpinx on in vitro fertilization (IVF).We conducted a literature search on the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Google Scholar data bases regarding hydrosalpinx and IVF outcomes. Hydrosalpinx probably has a direct toxic effect on sperm motility and on the embryos. In addition, the increasing liquid inside the salpinges could alter the mechanisms of endometrial receptivity. The window of endometrial receptivity is essential in the implantation of blastocysts, and it triggers multiple reactions arising from the endometrium as well as the blastocysts. Hydrosalpinx could influence the expression of homeobox A10 (HOXA10) gene, which plays an essential role in directing embryonic development and implantation. Salpingectomy restores the endometrial expression of HOXA10; therefore, it may be one mechanism by which tubal

Effect of staging treatment of / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect of @*METHODS@#A total of 74 patients with RIF of thin endometrium type undergoing freeze-thaw embryo transfer were randomly divided into an observation group (37 cases) and a control group (37 cases). The patients in the control group were treated with freeze-thaw embryo transfer in hormone replacement cycle, and the estradiol valerate tablets were taken orally from the fifth day of menstruation, 2 mg per day. On the basis of the control group, the observation group was additionally treated with @*RESULTS@#The clinical pregnancy rate was 37.8% (14/37) in the observation group, which was higher than 16.2% (6/37) in the control group (@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of conventional medication,

Effect on Treatment of Addition and Subtraction Therapy of Zhuyu Zhixuetang to Chronic Endometritis with Syndrome of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To discuss clinical effect of Zhuyu Zhixuetang to chronic endometritis （CE） with syndrome of Qi deficiency and blood stasis and to study improvement effect to pregnancy outcome. Method:One hundred and forty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups， patients in control group were 72 cases and in observation group were 72 cases. In control group， 66 patients completed the therapy because of 4 falling off or missing visit and 2 eliminated， and in observation group， 65 patients completed the therapy because of 3 falling off or missing visit and 5 eliminated. In two groups. anti-infection treatment was gicen to patients. Patients in control group got Fuke Qianjin Pian， 6 tablets/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation group got Zhuyu Zhixuetang， 1 dose/day. The treatment was continued for 3 months and the follow up was recorded for 6 months. Before and after treatment， changes of menstrual volume， period and cycle were recorded. And hysteroscopy and color Doppler ultrasound of vagina were made， and endometrial morphology and endometrial receptivity were evaluated ［endometrial thickness， resistance index （RI）， pulsation index （PI） and blood flow index （FI）］ were evaluated， and pathology of endometrial were tested. And scores of syndrome of Qi deficiency and blood stasis were graded， levels of interleukin-1 <italic>β</italic> （IL-1<italic> β</italic>）， IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>） and T-lymphoid subsets （CD3⁺， CD4⁺， CD8⁺） in peripheral blood were measured. Pregnancy and miscarriage were recorded and the safety was evaluated. Result:After treatment， menstrual volume， menstrual period， cycle and complete normal rate of menstruation in observation group were all higher than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Endometrial thickness and FI were more than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， RI and PI were lower than RI and PI in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. And compared with control group， levels of IL-1<italic>β</italic>， IL-6， TNF-<italic>α</italic> and CD8⁺were less （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. And levels of CD3⁺， CD4⁺ and CD4⁺/ CD8⁺ were higher than the data in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. During 6 months follow-up， pregnancy rate in observation group was 46.97% （31/66） was higher than 27.69% （18/65） in control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=5.197， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Total effective rate of endometrial morphology was 96.97% （64/66） higher than 86.15% （56/65） in control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=4.981， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Total effective rate endometrial pathology was 95.45% （63/66） higher than 84.62% （55/65） in control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=4.304， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Total effective rate of comprehensive clinical effect was 93.94% （62/66） higher than 81.54% （55/65） in control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=4.696， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. There was no adverse reactions related to traditional Chinese medicine. Conclusion:Zhuyu Zhixuetang can regulate menstruation， relieve clinical symptoms， improve endometrial morphology under hysteroscopy， regulate systemic and local immune inflammatory response， improve CP， thus improve pregnancy outcome， with better comprehensive effect and safety.

Mechanism of Wenshen Yangxue Prescription Improving Endometrial Receptivity of Aged Female Mice by Regulating PI3K/Akt/FoxO3A Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effective components， targets， and possible mechanisms of Wenshen Yangxue prescription in improving endometrial receptivity of aged female mice based on network pharmacology and experimental verification. Method:Based on Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine （BATMAN-TCM） and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine， the components and targets of Wenshen Yangxue prescription were retrieved， and the targets of ovulatory dysfunctional infertility were collected from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） and GeneCards with "anovulatory sterility" and "anovulatory infertility" as keywords. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed based on STRING and the core targets of Wenshen Yangxue prescription against ovulatory dysfunctional infertility were screened by Cytoscape， followed by Gene Ontology （GO） term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment of the core targets in DAVID database. Then， the "medicinal-component-target-pathway" network was established and the core targets were verified by animal experiment. Result:A total of 253 components and 326 targets of Wenshen Yangxue prescription， 819 disease targets， and 74 common targets were screened out. The common targets were mainly involved in the biological processes such as positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process， positive regulation of cell proliferation， response to estradiol， aging， response to oxidative stress， and angiogenesis. The GO term of response to oxidative stress and five of the top 20 KEGG pathways were analyzed. According to the "medicinal-component-target-biological process/pathway" network， 41 chemical components in 20 medicinals participated in hypoxia inducible factor-1 （HIF-1） signaling pathway， tumor necrosis factor （TNF） signaling pathway， forkhead box O （FOXO） signaling pathway， Toll-like receptor （TLR） signal pathway， and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway by affecting 35 targets. The results of animal experiment showed that the prescription could increase the expression of PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， forkhead box O3A （FoxO3A）， and phosphorylated FoxO3A （p-FoxO3A） in uterus of aged female ICR mice. Conclusion:Wenshen Yangxue prescription interferes with oxidative stress and PI3K/Akt/FoxO3A signaling pathway by influencing Akt1， dual oxidase 2 （DUOX2）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， heme oxygenase-1 （HMOX1）， myeloperoxidase （MPO）， and other targets， thereby improving endometrial receptivity of aged female mice.

Analysis of the endometrial transcriptome at the time of implantation in women receiving a single post-ovulatory dose of levonorgestrel or mifepristone

Abstract Background: Levonorgestrel (LNG) is a progesterone receptor agonist used in both regular and emergency hormonal contraception; however, its effects on the endometrium as a contraceptive remain widely unknown and under public debate. Objective: To analyze the effects of LNG or mifepristone (MFP), a progesterone receptor antagonist and also known as RU-486, administered at the time of follicle rupture (FR) on endometrial transcriptome during the receptive period of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Ten volunteers ovulatory women were studied during two menstrual cycles, a control cycle and a consecutively treated cycle; in this last case, women were randomly allocated to two groups of 5 women each, receiving one dose of LNG (1.5 mg) or MFP (50 mg) the day of the FR by ultrasound. Endometrial biopsies were taken 6 days after drug administration and prepared for microarray analysis. Results: Genomic functional analysis in the LNG-treated group showed as activated the bio-functions embryo implantation and decidualization, while these bio-functions in the T-MFP group were predicted as inhibited. Conclusions: The administration of LNG as a hormonal emergency contraceptive resulted in an endometrial gene expression profile associated with receptivity. These results agree on the concept that LNG does not affect endometrial receptivity and/or embryo implantation when used as an emergency contraceptive.

Effects of Dingkun Dan combined with Western medicine on endometrial β-catenin, VEGF and MMP-9 mRNA expression in rats with multiple lesions / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of Dingkun Dan on endometrial receptivity in rats with multiple lesions. Forty SD female rats with regular sexual cycle were randomly divided into 5 groups, control group, model group, progynova group, Dingkun Dan group and combination group. The thin endometrium model of kidney-yang deficiency was established in all the other rats except normal control group. The rats in normal control group were free to drink and eat; the rats in the model group were administered with distilled water; the rats in the progynova group were treated with progynova; rats in Dingkun Dan group were treated with Dingkun Dan, and the rats in combination group were treated with Dingkun Dan and progynova. After 15 days, serum levels of OPN, VEGF and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA. HE staining, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to analyze endome-trial morphology, endometrial thickness and the treatment mechanism of Dingkun Dan. As compared with the control group, the serum levels of OPN, VEGF and MMP-9 in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01). As compared with the model group, the serum levels of OPN and MMP-9 were decreased in Dingkun Dan group(P<0.05, P<0.01). As compared with the control group, endometrial stromal cells were fewer, the endometrium glands and blood vessels were sparse, and the endometrium was thinner significantly in the model group(P<0.01). As compared with the model group, there were more endometrial glands, rich intimal vessels, and dense stromal cells in various treatment groups, and the endometrium were thickened significantly in the treatment groups(P<0.01). As compared with the control group, the expression area of CK19 in the model group was decreased significantly(P<0.01). As compared with the model group, the expression area of CK19 in each treatment group was increased significantly(P<0.05). As compared with the control group, endometrial β-catenin and MMP-9 mRNA expression levels were increased significantly in the model group(P<0.05), while VEGF mRNA expression was decreased(P<0.05). As compared with the model group, MMP-9 mRNA expression was decreased significantly in the progynova group and the combination group(P<0.05). Dingkun Dan combined with progynova can improve endometrial receptivity by up-regulating expression of β-catenin, VEGF mRNA and down-regulating the expression of MMP-9 mRNA in the injury rats.

Effect of warming acupuncture on uterine blood perfusion in patients with failed high-quality freeze-thawed embryo transfer / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of warming acupuncture on uterine blood perfusion in the patients with failed high-quality freeze-thawed embryo transfer (FET) and explore its effect mechanism on the improvement of clinical pregnancy rate after re-tranfer.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 patients of failed high-quality FET were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each one. In the observation group, after the menstrual period ended, warming acupuncture started at the acupoints located on the abdomen, e.g. Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Qugu (CV 2) and those on the lumbar sacral region, e.g. Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3), 50 min in each treatment, once daily, at the interval of 1 day after 4-day treatment. The treatment was discontinued till the patients were at the ovulatory stage. In the control group, capsules were taken orally and continuously after the end of menstrual period, 3 capsules each time, three times a day and stopped at the ovulatory stage. The treatment of one menstrual cycle was taken as one course and the treatment for 3 menstrual cycles was required. Before and after treatment, the uterine artery pulsation index (PI), endometrial thickness, endometrial type, uterine blood perfusion, the recovery time of sufficient uterine blood flow, the endomentrial receptivity (ER) during the implantation window period and the clinical pregnancy rate were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the endometrial thickness was increased and PI decreased obviously in the two groups (<0.05) and PI in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the proportion of type a and type A of endometrium was increased markedly in the two groups (<0.05) and the proportion in the observation group was higher than the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the case proportion of sufficient uterine blood flow was increased obviously in the two groups (<0.05) and the value in the observation group was higher than the control group [83.3% (30/36) vs 69.4% (25/36), <0.05]. After treatment, the proportion of ER during the implantation window period was increased remarkably in the two groups (<0.05) and the value in the observation group was higher than the control group [72.2% (26/36) vs 50.0% (18/36), <0.05]. The recovery time of sufficient uterine blood flow in the observation group was shorter than the control group (<0.05) and the clinical pregnancy rate was higher than the control group [47.2% (17/36) vs 33.3% (12/36), <0.05].@*CONCLUSION@#Warming acupuncture enhances uterine blood perfusion and improves uterine endometrial receptivity so that the clinical pregnancy rate is increased after re-transfer in the patients with failed high-quality freeze-thawed embryo transfer.

Research Progress of Non-coding RNA and Endometrial Receptivity / 中国医学科学院学报

Endometrial receptivity has become the main cause of fertilization and pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients,bringing large psychological damage and economic loss to the patients and their family. In recent years,the role of non-coding RNA has increasingly been recognized. The relationship between non-coding RNA and endometrial receptivity is reviewed in this article.

Effect of combined treatment with acupuncture, moxibustion and medication on endometrial receptivity and expression of serum HOXA10 in polycystic ovary syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stagnation / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect of the combined treatment of acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine and western medication and simple western medication on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) of kidney deficiency and blood stagnation pattern and explore the effect on endometrial receptivity and the expression of serum homeobox gene A10 (HOXA10).@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with PCOS of kidney deficiency and blood stagnation pattern were randomized into a combined treatment group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the western medication group, on the fifth day of menstruation, clomiphene citrate tablets were taken orally, 50 mg each time, once daily, consecutively for 5 days. On the day when the follicle diameter was ≥ 18 mm, chorionic gonadotrophin for muscular injection, a dose of 10 000 U was given. Before sleep, the aspirin enteric-coated tablets were taken orally, 50 mg (except during menstruation). In the combined treatment group, on the base of the treatment as the western medication group, acupuncture and moxibustion were adopted and the Chinese herbal for tonifying the kidney and activating blood circulation was taken orally. The acupoints were Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zigong (EX-CA 1), etc. Acupuncture was remained for 30 min each time, once every two days and discontinued during menstruation. Chinese herbal was given from the 3rd day of menstruation till the onset of the next menstruation, one dose each day. After consecutive treatment for 3 menstrual cycles in the two groups, the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was adopted to determine the expression of serum HOXA10 before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The endometrial thickness at ovulatory phase, uterine arterial flow 7 days after ovulation [including uterine arterial pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PSV)/end diastolic velocity (EDV), meaning S/D], pregnancy rate and the score of Chinese medicine symptoms before and after treatment were compared in the patients between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#① After treatment, the expression of serum HOXA10 was higher than that before treatment in the patients of the two groups (@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment with acupuncture, moxibustion and medication effectively improves endometrial receptivity and uterine arterial flow in the patients with PCOS of kidney deficiency and blood stagnation pattern and increases pregnancy rate. The therapeutic effect is better than the simple western medication and its mechanism is probably related to the regulation of serum HOXA10 expression.

Intrauterine platelet rich plasma versus injection G-CSF for treatment of thin endometrium in infertility

Background: For success in IVF treatment, it is essential that the patient has a responsive endometrium together with many other factors. Inspite of numerous treatments available today for growth of endometrium, there is lack of any ideal drug or protocol for increasing endometrial thickness. The study is an attempt to evaluate the role of two drugs for increasing endometrial growth before embryos transfers.Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study including 50 patients with previously diagnosed as thin endometrium patients who may or may not have failed previous cycles of IVF. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. First group-Group A (n=25) are patients randomly selected to undergo intrauterine PRP instillation for increase in endometrial thickness before embryo transfer. Second group-Group B (n=25) are randomly selected from a retrospective cohort of thin endometrium to take injection GCSF  as intrauterine infusion (total dose 300mcg) on day of trigger or day 11 of cycle followed by 60 units subcutaneously after embryo transfer. The difference in endometrial thickness during transfer and the pregnancy outcomes were compared.Results: Injection GCSF was found to be more effective than intrauterine PRP in improving endometrial thickness in patients with thin endometrium with a p-value of <0.0001.  It was found that the chemical and clinical pregnancy rates were comparable as the p values were 0.77 and 0.37 respectively and hence statistically not significant. Although patients given injection GCSF had a slightly higher clinical pregnancy rate (44%) as compared to patients given intrauterine PRP which was 28%. All other variables were comparable.Conclusions: In the study it was proven that injection GCSF, is more effective for the treatment of thin endometrium patients as compared to intrauterine PRP infusion. Though the clinical and chemical pregnancy rates were comparable, a higher percentage of women were clinically pregnant in the group given injection GCSF.  Intrauterine PRP can also be a good alternative for thin endometrium.  More studies and RCTS are needed for comparison to prove the effectiveness of these drugs for treatment of thin endometrium.

Repairing effect of wheat-grain moxibustion on thin-type endometrium in rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the repairing effects of estrogen and wheat-grain moxibustion on thin-type endometrium in rats and to explore its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#Forty healthy SPF-grade adult female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an estrogen group and a moxibustion group according to random number table method, 10 rats in each group. The model of thin-type endometrium was established during estrous period in all the groups except for the normal group. No intervention was given in the normal group. The intragastric administration of 2 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution was applied the next day after modeling in the model group. The intragastric administration of 2 mL of estradiol was given the next day after modeling in the estrogen group. The wheat-grain moxibustion was given at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) the next day after modeling in the moxibustion group, 7 moxa cones for each acupoint. The treatment in 3 groups was given once a day. After three estrous cycles, the samples were collected during estrous period; the thickness and morphology of endometrium were observed by HE staining; the expressions of vimentin, keratin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endometrium tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry; the expressions of HOXA10 and LIF in endometrium tissue were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#The endometrial thickness in the model group was significantly thinner than that in the normal group (0.05). The expressions of keratin, vimentin and VEGF in endometrium in the model group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (0.05). The expressions of HOXA10 and LIF in endometrium in the model group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (<0.01); compared with the model group, the expressions of HOXA10 and LIF in endometrium in the estrogen group and moxibustion group were significantly increased (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The wheat-grain moxibustion could up-regulate the expressions of keratin, vimentin and VEGF in endometrium to improve the endometrial thickness; in addition, it could increase the levels of factors related to endometrial receptivity including HOXA10, LIF, which improves endometrial receptivity and play a repair role.

Expression of integrin β3 in the endometrial implantation window of patients with cesarean section scar infertility and its correlation with endometrial receptivity / 中国基层医药

Objective@#To investigate the expression of integrin β3 in the endometrial implantation window of patients with cesarean scar and infertility, and its correlation with endometrial receptivity.@*Methods@#A total of 40 patients with previous cesarean scar defect (PCSD) secondary infertility treated in Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from April 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled as the observation group.The natural cycle of 40 normal women who were examined in our hospital at the same time were selected as the control group.The two groups were enrolled in the endometrium of the glandular epithelial cells for MMP-9, TIMP-1 and LIF immunohistochemical staining, and statistical analysis was performed.The serum E2 and P levels of the implantation group were compared.The E2/P ratio was measured and compared, and the expression level of integrin β3 endometrial planting window was compared.@*Results@#The MMP-9, TIMP-1 and LIF in the observation group [(175.31±56.36), (201.46±51.34), (209.23±45.23)] were significantly lower than those in the control group [(252.35±78.43), (257.23±74.13), (298.34±72.35)] (t=5.334, 5.766, 6.023, all P<0.05), but the E2, P and E2/P in the observation group [(515.31±56.36)pmol/L, (53.71±8.34)pmol/L, (13.23±5.23)] were higher than those in the control group[(352.35±78.43)pmol/L, (33.13±4.13)pmol/L, (8.17±2.91)] (t=7.334, 4.251, 3.241, all P<0.05). The level of beta 3 in the observation group (0.163±0.013) was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.253±0.031) (t=4.342, P<0.05). The thickness of endometrium in the observation group [(9.12±2.03)mm] was significantly thinner than that in the control group [(12.24±2.45)mm] (t=3.226, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The expression of integrin β3 in the endometrial implantation window of patients with cesarean section scar infertility has a certain influence on endometrial receptivity.

Relationship between fallopian tube abnormality and repeated failure of IVF / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

Repeated IVF failure has been a pain pointin the assisted reproductive process.The fallopian tubehas long been considered as a conduit for transporta-tion,ignoring its important role in embryo implantation.The main reasons for the repeated failure of IVF areembryonic factors,endometrial receptivity and otherfactors.The article mainly focuses on the effects ofvarious types of fallopian tube lesions on the abovethree factors,and analyzes the relationship betweenvarious oviduct chronic inflammatory lesions and IVFfailure.IVFfallopian tube obstructionendome-

Clinical effects of clomiphene citrate combined with low molecular weight heparin calcium in the treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome infertility / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical effects of clomiphene citrate combined with low molecular weight heparin calcium in the treatment of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS)infertility. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with PCOS infertility who were admitted to the Outpatient Department of Women and Children's Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2016 to April 2018 were taken as research subjects.They were randomly divided into observation group(57 cases)and control group(48 cases).The control group received clomiphene citrate for ovulation treatment,the observation group was given clomiphene citrate combined with low molecular weight heparin calcium for ovulation treatment,and the endometrial receptivity changes,pregnancy rate and the incidence of adverse reactions of patients were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: In the observation group,the endometrial thickness,blood flow index(FI),endometrial spiral arterial blood flow resistance index(RI)and pulsatility index(PI)decreased,and the pregnancy rate was better than that in the control group;the difference was statistically significan(t P0.05).CONCLUSION: Clomiphene citrate combined with low molecular weight heparin calcium in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome infertility can improve the treatment efficiency,and is safe and reliable.It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Combined Chinese and western medicine for endometrial receptivity: A meta analysis of clinical trials / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To systemically evaluate the effects of combined Chinese and western medicine in improving endometrial receptivity. Methods A search for relevant articles ran on the CNKI, WanFang, VIP, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library. The randomized controlled trails of combined Chinese and western medicine therapy versus western medicine alone for improving endometrial receptivity were retieved The Revman 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis according to Cochrane system evaluation method. Results A total of 7 randomized controlled trails involving 499 patients were included. There was statistically significant difference in the growth of clinical pregnancy rate [RR=1.78, 95％ CI (1.41, 2.26)], the increase of patients with endometrial thickness [MD=1.42, 95％ CI(1.27, 1.58)], the raise of the proportion with type A endometrium [RR=1.25, 95％ CI (1.07, 1.45)], the reduction of the patients with endometrial PI [SMD=-1.41, 95％ CI (-2.18,-0.64)]. There was no statistically significant difference in the reduction of endometrial RI [SMD=-1.11, 95％ CI (-2.52,0.30)]. Conclusions The therapy integrated Chinese and western medicine for endometrial receptivity is better than simple western medicine. But there is less literature on the high quality, suggesting that the methodology of clinical research should be further improved in the future.