title: Predicting factors for endometrial thickness during treatment with assisted reproductive technology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discover the factors contributing to endometrial thickness, and to assess the impact of endometrial thickness on pregnancy rates (PRs) according to these factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro fertilization unit in a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  All women with primary infertility and no previous pregnancies who underwent IVF treatment at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, between August 9, 2001-December 31, 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurement of endometrial thickness by the use of transvaginal ultrasound probe on the day that hCG was administered during an IVF cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Factors influencing endometrial thickness and the relationship between endometrial thickness and PRs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean endometrial thickness decreased as a function of the patient's age. The thickest endometrium was found in patients <25 years of age (11.9 +/- 2.5 mm), and the thinnest endometrium was found in patients >40 years of age (9.6 +/- 2.3 mm). Other factors, such as E(2) levels, etiology of infertility, induction of ovulation protocol, and type of gonadotropin used, were also found to contribute to endometrial thickness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data support the case for an "aging" of the endometrium. The chances of achieving a thick endometrium for patients >40 years of age are lower than for younger patients. Furthermore, a thicker endometrium is correlated with a higher PR only for patients >35 years of age.
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. wiserniv@netvision.net.il <wiserniv@netvision.net.il>
authors.forename: Wiser
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.forename: Baum
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Micha
authors.forename: Hourwitz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ariel
authors.forename: Lerner-Geva
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Liat
authors.forename: Dor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jehoshua
authors.forename: Shulman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adrian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004958:Estradiol