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.

Platelet Transfusion Strategies for MASPAT-Matched Platelet Transfusion Failed Patient with Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the causes of ineffectiveness of platelet transfusion with monoclonal antibody solid phase platelet antibody test (MASPAT) matching in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and explore the strategies of platelet transfusion.@*METHODS@#A case of donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA) induced by transfusion which ultimately resulted in transplantation failure and ineffective platelet transfusion with MASPAT matching was selected, and the causes of ineffective platelet transfusion and platelet transfusion strategy were retrospectively analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The 32-year-old female patient was diagnosed as acute myeloid leukemia (high risk) in another hospital with the main symptoms of fever and leukopenia, who should be admitted for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after remission by chemotherapy. In the course of chemotherapy, DSA was generated due to platelet transfusion, and had HLA gene loci incompatible with the donor of the first transplant, leading to the failure of the first transplant. The patient received platelet transfusion for several times before and after transplantation, and the results showed that the effective rate of MASPAT matched platelet transfusion was only 35.3%. Further analysis showed that the reason for the ineffective platelet transfusion was due to the missed detection of antibodies by MASPAT method. During the second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the DSA-negative donor was selected, and the matching platelets but ineffective transfusion during the primary transplantation were avoided. Finally, the patient was successfully transplanted and discharged from hospital.@*CONCLUSIONS@#DSA can cause graft failure or render the graft ineffective. For the platelet transfusion of patients with DSA, the platelet transfusion strategy with matching type only using MASPAT method will miss the detection of antibodies, resulting in invalid platelet transfusion.

Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Erzhi Tiangui Prescription in Treatment of Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure of Kidney Deficiency Syndrome Based on sPD-1 and Th17/Treg Cytokines / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and possible mechanism of Erzhi Tiangui prescription on repeated implantation failure （RIF） of kidney deficiency syndrome. MethodSeventy patients with RIF of kidney deficiency syndrome who underwent natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer （FET） in the Reproductive and Genetic Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were enrolled and randomly divided into a treatment group （35 cases） and a control group （35 cases）. Patients in the treatment group took oral Erzhi Tiangui prescription from the third day of each menstrual cycle two months before the FET cycle and continued to take it until the day of transplantation from the third day of the menstrual cycle in the month of transplantation. Those in the control group did not accept traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. In addition，10 patients who successfully achieved clinical pregnancy after the first natural cycle FET were screened from the reproductive medical record bank of this hospital and assigned to the normal group. Peripheral blood samples of patients in the three groups on the day of embryo transfer were collected from the specimen bank of the Reproductive and Genetic Center. Serum soluble programmed death molecule-1 （sPD-1），soluble programmed death molecule-ligand 1 （sPD-L1），transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β），interleukin-17 （IL-17）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in kidney deficiency syndrome scores， the final biochemical pregnancy rates， clinical pregnancy rates， and embryo implantation rates of the treatment group and the control group before and after treatment were observed. ResultCompared with the normal group，the model group showed increased serum levels of sPD-1 and IL-17（r=0.347，P<0.05），decreased levels of IL-10 and TGF-β （P<0.01），and non-significant change in sPD-L1 level. Serum sPD-1 was positively correlated with IL-17 （P<0.05） and negatively correlated with IL-10（r=-0.521，P<0.01） and TGF-β（r=-0.457，P<0.01） in RIF patients with kidney deficiency syndrome. After TCM treatment，compared with the control group， the treatment group showed improved TCM syndrome score （P<0.05） and increased clinical pregnancy rate and embryo transfer rate（P<0.05），but there was no statistically significant difference in the biochemical pregnancy rate between the two groups. ConclusionAbnormal expression of sPD-1 in patients with RIF of kidney deficiency syndrome breaks the balance of T helper 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg），which is not conducive to embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance. Erzhi Tiangui prescription，a TCM for tonifying the kidney，can significantly improve the symptoms of kidney deficiency in patients with RIF of kidney deficiency syndrome，reduce the concentrations of sPD-1 and IL-17 in the peripheral serum，increase the levels of TGF-β and IL-10，regulate the peripheral Th17/Treg immune balance，and increase the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate，which has a high clinical value.

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,

El defecto inherente del endometrio causa fallo de implantación en Técnica de Reproducción Asistida / Inherent defect of the endometrium causes implantation failure in Assisted Reproductive Technique

Introduction. Implantation failure appears to be a significant factor in Assisted reproductive technique (ART) procedures. Even a mature endometrium may be non-receptive, preventing implantation or rejection of implanted embryo in early months of pregnancy, resulting in miscarriage or unexplained infertility with or without other associated factors. Objective. To investigate causes of failed implantation inspite of uneventful Grade I embryo transfer in ART procedure Material and Method. 90 women aged range between 25-40 yr old who visited Department of Reproductive Medicine at Calcutta Fertility Mission, over a period of 24 months(January 2017 to December 2019) , satisfying the inclusion criteria, were enrolled in this observational study. Endometrial aspirate histopathology was done along with ∞5ß3 integrin expression. They were treated with natural micronized progesterone (NMP) or oral dydrogesterone and results of endometrial changes were statistically analyzed. Results. 28.89% and 31.11% of women were seen to have mid-secretory changes of the endometrium after being treated with NMP and dydrogesterone respectively. Integrins were expressed in only 59.26% of women with mid-secretory endometrium and 5.41% of early secretory endometrium, which was statistically significant (p value <0.001). Conclusion. About 70% patients even after treatment with estrogen and progestin did not have adequate response in endometrial maturation. Not all patients with mid-secretory endometrium had integrin positive, when tested. NMP and oral Dydrogesterone have similar effect in endometrial maturation as well as in yielding successful pregnancy in some patients with previously failed In-vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Low-molecular-weight Heparin Combined with Progesterone in the Treatment of Repeated Implant Failure in Embryo Transfer Patients / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of low-m olecular-weight heparin combined with progesterone in the treatment of repeated implant failure （RIF）in embryo transfer patients ，and to provide reference for clinical use of it. METHODS ：Retrieved from Cochrane library ，PubMed，Embase，CNKI and Wanfang database ，randomized controlled trail （RCT）or observational study about low-molecular-weight heparin combined with progesterone （trial group ）versus progesterone（control group ）for RIF patients were collected during the inception to Jul. 2020. After data extraction of studies met included criteria ，the Cochrane 5.1.0 bias risk assessment tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale evaluation scale were used to evaluate the quality of RCTs and observational studies. Rev Man 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis. RESULTS ：A total of 15 studies were included ，including 10 RCTs and 5 observational studies ，with a total of 2 353 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed that the implantation rate [RR ＝1.41，95％CI（1.24，1.60），P＜0.01]，pregnancy rate [RR ＝1.38，95％CI（1.23，1.56）， P＜0.01]，live birth rate [RR ＝1.41，95％CI（1.19，1.67），P＜0.01] of trial group were significantly higher than those of control group，with statistical significance ；while the abortion rate [RR ＝0.54，95％ CI（0.33，0.86），P＝0.01] of trial group was significantly lower than that of control group ，with statistical significance. The results of subgroup analysis showed that the implantation rate [RR ＝2.38，95％CI（1.31，4.31），P＝0.004] and pregnancy rate [RR ＝2.58，95％CI（1.62，4.11），P＜0.001] of patients over 35 years old in trial group were higher than control group ，with statistical significance. The main ADR of 2 groups were a small amount of bleeding and ecchymosis at the injection site. No severe ADR was observed. CONCLUSIONS： Low-molecular-weight heparin combined with progesterone can improve the embry o implantation rate ， pregnancy rate and live birth rate of RIF patients ，reduce the abortion rate ，with good safety.

A prospective randomized controlled trial showing efficacy of luteal phase low molecular weight heparin in fresh non-donor IVF/ICSI cycles in women with previous implantation failures

Background: Implantation failure is a major challenge in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The present study was undertaken to determine the immunomodulatory effects of heparin in patients with previous implantation failures undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART).Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial with sample size of 100 patients who had history of at least one previously failed IVF/ICSI. Study group of 50 patients received heparin and 50 patients in control group received routine luteal phase support.Results: Primary outcome of the study was implantation rate (IR) which was 11.03% in the study group was and 5.48% in the control group (p=0.08). Biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate in the study group was 18% and 12% in the control group (p=0.401). Calculated live birth was 5.15% and 3.42% in the study and control groups respectively (p=0.562). 11 babies were taken home from the study group and 6 from the control group (p=0.18).Conclusions: The result of this pilot study showed relative increase in implantation rates (IR) suggesting beneficial effects of heparin in patients with repeated implantation failures. Although these changes are not statistically significant, the presence of an increasing trend in all the outcome parameters signify the possible benefits of heparin proving for the present study hypothesis.

An intronic polymorphism of the gene Plakophilin-3 is associated with IVF failure

Background: Implantation failure is determined when transferred embryos fail to implant following in vitro fertilization (IVF). In recent years, many studies suggest that implantation failure could be related to several genetic factors. In the current study, authors aimed to investigate the association of PKP3 rs10902158 (G>A) polymorphisms with the risk of implantation failure after ICSI treatment.Methods: 97 women, who underwent ICSI treatment owing to male factor infertility, were prospectively recruited in this cross-sectional study. Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood samples in order to analyze the polymorphism (rs10902158) at the PKP3 gene by PCR-RFLP. The Results were presented as a genotype (GG, GA, and AA), and their relationship to IVF outcome was analyzed.Results: The patients were divided into two groups according to clinical pregnancy: the pregnant group included 51 patients (53%) and the non-pregnant group included 46 patients (47%). The clinical pregnancy outcome was significantly different between genotypes, which was 0%, 45.8% and 58.8% in the patients having the genotype AA, GA and GG respectively (p-value = 0.03).Conclusions: The presence of the allele A of the PKP3 SNP rs10902158 is associated with a reduced clinical pregnancy outcome in the patients undergoing ICSI treatment and may be helpful predictor for implantation failure.

Effect of Yangjing Zhongyu Tang in Treating Kidney-Yin Deficiency Due to Repeated Implantation Failure and on LIF,VEGF,IL-1β,MCP-1 Levels / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Yangjing Zhongyu Tang in treating kidney-Yin deficiency due to repeated implantation failure (RIF). Method:Totally 70 patients with kidney yin deficiency due to repeated implantation failure (RIF) who received the periodic Frozen thawed embyo (FET) after in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo cryopreservation were selected from the Integrative Medicine Reproductive and Genetics Center of Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). They were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 35 cases in each group. All patients were received long protocol controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Observation group was given Yangjing Zhongyu Tang from the 5th day to the 14th day of the menstrual cycle 1 month before transplantation, and continued to take it on the 5th day of the menstrual cycle in the month of the transplantation. Control group did not given TCM. After treatment, TCM syndrome scores, endometrial thickness, typing, uterine artery pulsation index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of HCG, endometrial secretion leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), blood vessels endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), number of eggs obtained, fertilization rate and embryo transfer results were observed. Result:After treatment, the scores of TCM syndromes in observation group were significantly improved, with statistically significant difference (PPPβ and LIF of observation group were higher than those of control group, and the MCP-1 was lower than that of control group (PPConclusion:Yangjing Zhongyu Tang can significantly alleviate the clinical symptoms of patients with kidney-Yin deficiency due to RIF, effectively improve the type A endometrial morphology of RIF patients, reduce the uterine artery blood flow resistance, optimize endometrial implantation, and significantly improve the clinical pregnancy rate.

Sirtuin 1 Levels in Recurrent Implantation Failure / Níveis de sirtuína 1 em falhas recorrentes de implantação

Abstract Sirtuin 1 has an important role in cellular processes, including apoptosis and cellular stress. The purpose of this study was to assess serum sirtuin 1 levels in women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). In this cross-sectional study, we included 28 women with RIF, 29 healthy women who had conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF), and 30 women with a 1-cycle failure of IVF as controls. Human serum nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1/SIRT2L1) levels were detected using a commercial colorimetric kit. Recurrent implantation failure patients have higher sirtuin 1 levels than non-pregnant women and healthy pregnant women, but this difference did not reach statistical significance due to the low number of patients in our study. These higher sirtuin 1 levels may result from the inflammation imbalance of RIF patients. The only statistically significant correlation found was between age and sirtuin (r = 0.277, p = 0.009).

Resumo A sirtuína 1 tem importante função nos processos celulares, incluindo a apoptose e o estresse celular. O objetivo deste estudo é o de avaliar níveis de sirtuína 1 em mulheres com falhas recorrentes de implantação (FRI). Neste estudo cruzado, incluímos 28 mulheres com FRI, 29 mulheres saudáveis que deram à luz por fertilização in vitro (FIV) bem-sucedida, e 30 mulheres com 1 ciclo de FIV malsucedido como controle. Os níveis de sirtuína 1 em soro humano de desacetilase dependente de dinucleotídeo de nicotinamida adenina (DNA) (SIRT1/SIRT2L1) foram detectados usando um kit colorimétrico comercial. Pacientes com FRI tiveram níveis de sirtuína 1 superiores às pacientes grávidas e aos controles, mas esta diferença não atingiu significância estatística devido ao baixo número de pacientes envolvidos. Estes níveis mais altos de sirtuína 1 podem ser resultado da inflamação desigual em pacientes com FRI. A única correlação estatisticamente significante encontrada foi entre idade e sirtuína (r = 0,277, p = 0,009).

Influence of atoxiban on pregnancy outcome in patients with repeated implantion failure in Blastcyst Thawed Embryo Transfer / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of atosiban on the pregnancy outcome in patients with repeated implantation failure(RIF)in blastcyst thawed embryo transfer(bTET) Methods From January 2014 to December 2015,a total of 262 RIF patients undergoing bTET were retrospectively studied. They were divided into study group with a single bolus dose (6.75 mg/0.9 mL,iv) of atosiban before bTET (n = 94),and control groupwithout atosiban(n = 168). Results The clinical pregnancy rate(57.41%),implantation rate(38.41%) and living-birth rate(46.81%) of study group were significantly higher than those of control group (41.12%, 28.32% and 33.93% respectively;P 0.05). Conclusion Atosiban treatment before embryo transfer may improve pregnancy outcomes of RIF patients in bTET.

Comparación de la tasa de embarazo con embriones desvitrificados transferidos por ciclo natural vs ciclo con preparación endometrial / Comparison of pregnancy rate for embryos transferred in natural cycle vs cycles with endometrial preparation

Resumen OBJETIVO: comparar la tasa de embarazo en ciclos de transferencia de embriones vitrificados versus ciclos naturales y con preparación endometrial. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio comparativo, observacional y retrospectivo efectuado mediante la revisión de expedientes clínicos de procedimientos de fertilización in vitro efectuados entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2013. Los casos se dividieron en dos grupos: ciclo natural y preparación endometrial. Se analizaron las variables de edad, IMC, FSH, LH y estradiol al inicio del ciclo, progesterona el día del inicio del soporte lúteo, LH, y estradiol el día de transferencia, supervivencia embrionaria, número de embriones transferidos, calidad embrionaria y tasa de embarazo. Posterior al análisis principal los grupos se dividieron, nuevamente, de acuerdo con la calidad embrionaria. RESULTADOS: se revisaron 951 expedientes clínicos en los que se identificaron y analizaron 75 ciclos que reunieron los criterios de inclusión. No se encontraron diferencias en porcentaje de supervivencia embrionaria o número de embriones transferidos, ni en la tasa de embarazo entre los grupos. En el grupo con embriones de calidad regular se observó una diferencia significativa en las tasas de embarazo en transferencia en ciclo natural (15%) versus ciclos con preparación endometrial (33.3%) con una p significativa de 0.02. CONCLUSIONES: cuando la calidad embrionaria es regular, la tasa de embarazo es mayor que cuando la transferencia se efectúa en un ciclo con preparación endometrial.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Compare pregnancy rates of thawed embryo transfer between natural cycle and endometrial preparation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a comparative, retrospective, observational study. 951 medical files where reviewed in the from January 2010 to January 2014. 75 files met with the inclusion criteria. The cycle where divided into two groups. The first group, thawed embryos where transferred during a natural cycle without any hormonal therapy. The second group, thawed embryos where transferred to a prepared endometrium with GnRH agonist and exogenous estrogen. Two embryos where transferred if the patient had two or more viable thawed embryos and one in all other cases. Variables analyzed in both groups where, age, body mass index, FSH, LH, and estrogen at the beginning of the cycle, progesterone on the day of initiating luteal support, LH and estradiol the day of embryo transfer, post-thaw embryo survival rate, number of embryos transferred, embryo quality and pregnancy rate. Groups where then divided according to the embryo quality forming a good quality cohort and a regular quality cohort. In both groups transfers during a natural cycle where compared with embryo transfer to a prepared endometrium. RESULTS: There was no difference observed in embryo survival or number of embryos transferred between both groups. Embryo quality was statistically better in the group with prepared endometrium. There was no statistical significant difference in pregnancy rate between the two groups. In cycles with good quality embryos there was no statistical difference in pregnancy rate when embryos where transferred during a natural cycle versus those transferred to a prepared endometrium. In cycles with regular quality embryos there was a statistical significant difference in pregnancy rate. Pregnancy rate for thawed-embryo transfer during a natural cycle was 15% and 33.3% when the transfer was to a prepared endometrium (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Endometrial preparation increases de pregnancy rate when regular quality thawed-embryos are transferred.

Mixed double-embryo transfer: A promising approach for patients with repeated implantation failure / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of frozen mixed double-embryo transfer (MDET; the simultaneous transfer of day 3 and day 5 embryos) in comparison with frozen blastocyst double-embryo transfer (BDET; transfer of two day 5 blastocysts) in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF). METHODS: A total of 104 women with RIF who underwent frozen MDET (n=48) or BDET (n=56) with excellent-quality embryos were included in this retrospective analysis. All frozen embryo transfers were performed in natural cycles. The main outcome measures were the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, multiple pregnancy rate, and miscarriage rate. These measures were compared between the patients who underwent MDET or BDET using the chi-square test or the Fisher exact test, as appropriate. RESULTS: The implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were significantly higher in patients who underwent MDET than in those who underwent BDET (60.4% vs. 39.3%, p=0.03 and 52.1% vs. 30.4%, p=0.05, respectively). A significantly lower miscarriage rate was observed in the MDET group (6.9% vs. 10.7%, p=0.05). In addition, the multiple pregnancy rate was slightly, but not significantly, higher in the MDET group (27.1% vs. 25.0%). CONCLUSION: MDET was found to be significantly superior to double blastocyst transfer. It could be regarded as an appropriate approach to improve in vitro fertilization success rates in RIF patients.

The Application of two Endometrial Mechanical Stimulation Methods in Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the clinical application of two endometrial mechanical stimulation methods in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle. Methods A total of 127 women with RIF who planned to perform FET again were included. They were separated into 3 groups: Group A (45 cases) with endometrial scratching and group B (42 cycles) with endometrial sucking within menstrual period in FET cycle, while in control group C (40 cases), no endometrial mechanical stimulation was performed. The outcomes of pregnancy were compared. Results The endometrial types of endometrial scratching group were mainly type A. The embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in group A (27.27%, 46.67%) were significantly higher than those in group B (12.75 %, 21.43%) and group C (11.46%, 20.0%) (P <0.05). Conclusion The endometrial mechanical stimulation can improve the endometrial receptivity, compare with endometrial sucking, endometrial scratching can improve the clinical pregnancy rate of RIF patients more obviously.

Analysis of quantity and function of dendritic cells in peripheral blood of patients with repeated implantation failure / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the quantity and function changes of dendritic cells ( DC) in peripheral blood of patients with repeated implantation failure ( RIF).Methods:30 patients with RIF and 15 normal controls were enrolled in this study,and the peripheral blood was collected during the mid-luteal phase.The percentage of DC subsets and the expression levels of functional molecules were assessed by flow cytometric analysis.Results:Compared with normal controls,the percentage of lin-HLA-DR+DC cells accounting for leukocytes in patients with RIF was not significantly different ( P>0.05).There were also no significant differences in the expression levels of co-stimulatory molecules ( CD80 and CD86) and immune tolerant molecules CD200 on DC cells surfaces between patients with RIF and normal controls ( all P>0.05).In addition,the percentage of CD11c+CD123-mDC accounting for DC cells was significantly increased in patients with RIF (P0.05). Conclusion:The percentage of mDC accounting for DC cells was significantly increased in patients with RIF, which may be one of factors affecting pregnancy outcomes.

Effect of laser-assisted hatching on outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer for patients with previous repeated implantation failure / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To determine whether laser-assisted hatching (LAH) can improve the clinical outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfers (FET) for patients with previous repeated implantation failure. Methods A total of 97 infertility patients with previous repeated failure, who received assisted reproductive therapy in our in-vitro fertilization(IVF) center from May 2012 to December 2013, were included in this study. A total of 124 FET cycles were randomly divided into LAH group (LAH was performed before embryo transplantation, n=61) and non-assisted hatching group (LAH was not performed before embryo transplantation, n=63). The clinical pregnancy rate,implantation rate, abortion rate and multiple pregnancy rate were compared between the two groups. Results The pregnancy rate (47.5% vs 30.2%,P0.05). Conclusion The LAH can increase the pregnancy and implantation rates and improve the outcome of IVF-ET in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles for patients with previous repeated failure.

Pituitary suppression before frozen embryo transfer is beneficial for patients suffering from idiopathic repeated implantation failure / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Long-term gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) administration before in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in infertile women with endometriosis or adenomyosis significantly enhanced the chances of pregnancy in both fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles. We hypothesized that long-term GnRHa treatment might also be beneficial for the idiopathic repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients. In the 21 patients receiving GnRHa and hormone replacement therapy (G-HRT) protocols for frozen embryo transfer, their data were compared with those of the 56 of frozen/fresh cycles they had previously undergone (previous protocols). Comparison showed that the finial results were significantly better with G-HRT protocols than with their previous protocols, with pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and on-going pregnancy rate being 70%, 60%, 40% and 38% respectively with G-HRT protocols, against 17%, 11%, 6.3% and 5% with previous protocols. The results showed that hormonally controlled endometrial preparation with prior GnRHa suppression could be used for patients who had experienced repeated failures of IVF treatment despite having morphologically optimal embryos, and the treatment may help increase the receptivity of the endometrium in these patients.

Chronic endometritis and infertility / 대한생식의학회지

Chronic endometritis (CE) is a condition involving the breakdown of the peaceful co-existence between microorganisms and the host immune system in the endometrium. A majority of CE cases produce no noticeable signs or mild symptoms, and the prevalence rate of CE has been found to be approximately 10%. Gynecologists and pathologists often do not focus much clinical attention on CE due to the time-consuming microscopic examinations necessary to diagnose CE, its mild clinical manifestations, and the benign nature of the disease. However, the relationship between CE and infertility-related conditions such as repeated implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage has recently emerged as an area of inquiry. In this study, we reviewed the literature on the pathophysiology of CE and how it may be associated with infertility, as well as the literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of CE. In addition, we discuss the value of hysteroscopic procedures in the diagnosis and treatment of CE.

Clinical Application of Endometrial Scratching in Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure / 华中科技大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the clinical application of endometrial scratching in patients with repeated implantation failure(RIF).Methods A total of 189 women with RIF who planned to undergo in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF‐ET)once again at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Tongji Hospital ,Huazhong University of Science and Technology ,be‐tween October 2013 and August 2014 ,were prospectively examined.These women were infertile due to tubal factors ,with their male partners having normal semen measurements.According to the case numbers ,the 189 patients were randomly divided into experimental group(n=96)and control group(n=93).In the experimental group ,endometrial scratching was conducted within 6 h of one menstrual cycle one month before oocyte retrieval ,while in control group ,no endometrial scratching was performed at that time.The outcomes of pregnancy were compared between the two groups after embryo transplantation.Results There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the patient age ,infertility duration ,body mass index(BMI) ,basal levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone(FSH) ,luteinizing hormone(LH) ,and progesterone(P) ,gonadotropin‐releasing hormone(Gn‐RH) injection days and doses ,the number of retrieved oocytes ,the number of transferred embryos ,the endometrial thickness and lev‐els of estradiol(E2 )and P on the day of HCG injection(P>0.05).The embryo implantation rate ,the clinical pregnancy rate and the ongoing pregnancy rate in the experimental group were much higher than those in the control group ,with statistically signif‐icant difference noted(P<0.01).Conclusion The endometrial scratching can improve the endometrial receptivity and enhance the clinical pregnancy rate of RIF patients.