title: Diagnostic evaluation of women experiencing repeated in vitro fertilization failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to propose a set of tests to clarify the diagnosis of repeated implantation failure in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-nine patients with at least two unsuccessful IVF attempts were included in the study. Blood samples were evaluated for the presence of underlying thyroid abnormalities, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), increased levels of natural killer cells (NK), inherited thrombophilia and mouse embryo assay factor (MEA-f). The same tests were performed on 20 normal fertile control patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-six percent of IVF patients showed at least one abnormal result. This incidence was higher with respect to that found among control patients (45%). The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities, aPL and increased NK level was higher in IVF patients whereas no differences were observed in terms of prevalence of inherited thrombophilias and MEA-f.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better understanding of reproductive failure mechanisms should allow an effective diagnostic flow chart and a focused therapeutic option for patients experiencing repeated IVF failure. With this objective in mind, our data provide two important results: thyroid abnormalities, aPL and increased NK levels are more prevalent in women experiencing IVF failure. No evidence was found for an association between inherited thrombophilia and MEA-f and failure to achieve pregnancy after IVF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale Fatebenefratelli, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Isola Tiberina, 00168 Rome, Italy. elenavaquero@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vaquero
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lazzarin
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caserta
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Valensise
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscarini
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arduini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid