Accuracy of endometrial length measurement in predicting IVF/ICSI outcome.

This study aimed to evaluate if endometrial length (EL) affects the likelihood of a positive pregnancy test in individuals who had in vitro fertilization/intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Between December 2020 and June 2021, 100 women from those referred to the High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University, for IVF/ICSI were selected. These women were 20-40 years old with primary type sub-fertility and met the inclusion criteria. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (antagonist protocol), followed by transvaginal sonography (TVS), was used to measure the endometrial length (EL) from the internal ostium to the fundus on the day of ovum collection. Afterwards, the association between endometrial length and the outcome was examined. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The data show an important link between EL and treatment success. Endometrial length of ≥39 mm was considered a good cut-off point for IVF/ICSI pregnancy rates with a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 68%, a positive predictive value of 57%, and a negative predictive value of 83, and area under the curve of 0.81. An endometrial length of 39 mm can be used as an appropriate cut-off point in IVF/ICSI to predict a greater pregnancy rate. Vaginal sonography could be used in the ART cycle to measure the endometrial length and thickness and to determine endometrial receptiveness.

Effect of early GnRH antagonist administration on assisted reproductive technique outcomes in normal responders.

One of the main questions in assisted reproductive techniques is how to prevent premature LH surge using a variety of protocols depending on either pituitary down-regulation, in GnRH agonist protocols, or by receptors blockage, in GnRH protocols. It is possible to say that GnRH protocols are most popular nowadays. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of early antagonist administration during days ≤6 and later antagonist administration on days >6 on assisted reproductive outcomes. Women admitted to the ART Department at the High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and ART, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq were included in the study. Reproductive outcomes were evaluated in early ≤6 and late >6 antagonist administration in a total of 44 normal responders, as follows. Sandwich protocols in 14 patients that received antagonists in the first 3 days of the follicular phase and conventional flexible antagonist protocol in 30 patients. We compared the outcomes between the two groups. There were no differences between early antagonist administration ≤6 and late >6 days in the number of MII oocytes, 2PN, the number of transferred embryos, grades of the embryos, and pregnancy rates. However, there were statistically significant differences between the duration of stimulation and the total Gonadotropin dose required. There was no effect of antagonist administration on days ≤6 and >6 on controlled ovarian stimulation on assisted reproductive outcomes.

Impact of letrozole versus clomiphene citrate on endometrial receptivity in Iraqi women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVES: Letrozole is widely known for its use as an ovulation inductor. This study aims to investigate the effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate in females with polycystic ovarian syndrome. METHODS: This is a randomized non-blinded controlled trial study that included 80 infertile females with polycystic ovarian syndrome receiving a standard dose of either clomiphene citrate or letrozole on day 2 of the cycle. An ultrasound was done to examine growth of the follicle, endometrial thickness on days 12-13, and a Doppler study to measure resistance index (RI), pulsatility index and ratio of systolic/diastolic velocity. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The mean levels of dominant follicle and oestradiol were significantly higher in the clomiphene citrate group than in the letrozole group. The letrozole group had a significantly greater endometrial thickness than the clomiphene citrate group. The resistance index and pulsatility index were lower in the letrozole group and in pregnant women than in the clomiphene citrate group and the non-pregnant group. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The use of letrozole for ovulation induction in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients has a better effect on endometrial receptivity markers when compared to clomiphene citrate.