Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and reproductive medicine: a review

ABSTRACT

Recently, the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF] has been proposed to improve pregnancy outcomes in reproductive medicine. A systematic review of the current use of G-CSF in patients who have difficulty conceiving and maintaining pregnancy was performed. Two electronic databases [PubMed/ Medline and Scopus] were searched. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. The subject codes used were granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, G-CSF, recurrent miscarriage, IVF failure, and endometrium. The search of electronic databases resulted in 215 citations [PubMed/ Medline 139 and Scopus 76], of which 38 were present in both databases. Of the remaining 177 publications, seven studies were included in the present review. Treatment with G-CSF is a novel proposal for immune therapy in patients with recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure following cycles of IVF. However, a larger number of well-designed studies are required for this treatment to be established