Endometrial thickness is predictive of histologic endometrial maturation in women undergoing hormone replacement for ovum donation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if ultrasonographic endometrial pattern or thickness is predictive of histologic endometrial maturation in women undergoing hormone replacement for ovum donation.


METHODS
Ultrasonographic endometrial thickness and pattern were determined and compared with histologic assessment of endometrial maturation.


METHODS
Forty-six women underwent 52 preparatory cycles for ovum donation. Transvaginal ultrasound (US) was performed after 14 days of E2 replacement and, after 12 days of P, an endometrial biopsy was performed. In 12 cycles, a continuous dose of 2 mg/d E2 was administered. In cycles with out-of-phase biopsies (dated earlier than day 24) and in the last 34 cycles, all women received an escalating dose of E2 before initiation of P. Additionally, the 46 women underwent 55 ETs with USs performed on cycle day 15.


RESULTS
Six women had abnormal biopsies in their first preparatory cycle on the continuous E2 protocol, which normalized with the escalating protocol. All other women had normal biopsies. Women with abnormal biopsies had significantly thinner endometrium (< or = 6 mm) but similar endometrial patterns compared with women with normal biopsies. In women having US in preparatory and transfer cycles, there were no differences in endometrial thickness or pattern between examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
Endometrial thickness > or = 7 mm in hormone replacement cycles predicts in phase endometrial histology and can replace the endometrial biopsy.
Hofmann
G E
GE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bethesda Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206, USA.
Thie
J
J
Scott
R T
RT
Navot
D
D
D001706:Biopsy; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000379:methods*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone