Autologous platelet-rich plasma promotes endometrial growth and improves pregnancy outcome during in vitro fertilization

Abstract

Introduction: This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PRP in the therapy of infertile women with thin endometrium (≤ 7 mm).

Material and methods: Five women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) with poor endometrial response still had thin endometrium (< 7 mm) after standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and had to cancel embryo transfer cycle. In addition to HRT, intrauterine infusion of PRP was performed. PRP was prepared from autologous blood by centrifugation, and 0.5-1 ml of PRP was infused into the uterine cavity on the 10(th) day of HRT cycle. If endometrial thickness failed to increase 72 h later, PRP infusion was done 1-2 times in each cycle. Embryos were transferred when the endometrium thickness reached > 7 mm.

Results: Successful endometrial expansion and pregnancy were observed in all the patients after PRP infusion. Intrauterine PRP infusion represent a new method for the thin endometrium with poor response.

Conclusion: This article reported that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was able to promote the endometrial growth and improve pregnancy outcome of patients with thin endometrium.

Keywords: Thin endometrium; in vitro fertilization; platelet-rich plasma.

Figures

Figure 1

Ultrasonography in patient 1. A. Quite thin endometrium (only 5 mm) on the day of progesterone administration in traditional treatment. B. Remarkable improvement in endometrial thickness after first infusion ofPRP (7 mm on day 5 before progesterone administration). C. After second infusion of PRP, the endometrial thickness reachednear 8mm on day2 before progesterone administration. D. An intrauterine gestational sac was confirmed by transvaginal ultrasonography at approximately 6 weeks.