title: Endometrial ultrasonography as a predictor of pregnancy in an in-vitro fertilization programme.
abstract: The endometrial pattern and thickness were analysed by ultrasonography in 139 cycles stimulated for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) on the day of administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). A semi-programmed schedule based on the pill + clomiphene citrate + human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) was used in all cycles. On the day of HCG administration, endometrial pattern and thickness were assessed with an Ultramark 4 (ATL) ultrasound equipped with a 5 MHz vaginal probe. Endometrial pattern I (a 'triple-line' multilayer) was observed in a total of 105 cycles (76%), and pattern II (fully homogeneous and hyperechogenic in relation to myometrial tissue) in 34 (24%). The incidence of clinical pregnancy did not differ (P = 0.52) between the groups with endometrial patterns I (23.8%) and II (29.4%). Endometrial thickness on the day of HCG administration in the group with pattern I (8.4 +/- 1.9 mm) was similar (P = 0.96) to that observed in the group with pattern II (8.4 +/- 2.0 mm). In addition, the endometrial thickness of the patients who became pregnant (8.0 +/- 1.7 mm) did not differ (P = 0.15) from that of women who did not achieve pregnancy (8.6 +/- 2.0 mm). The conclusion from the present data is that ultrasonographic analysis of endometrial thickness and refringency on the day of HCG administration had no predictive value for conception in IVF cycles.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Reproduction, Fundação Maternidade Sinhá Junqueira, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Baruffi
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin