title: Endometrial nerve fibre density in patients undergoing IVF: a pilot study.
abstract: The presence of nerve fibres in the functional layer of the endometrium has been strongly associated with endometriosis. Presence of nerve fibres in the endometrium of women undergoing IVF has not been previously assessed. This prospective pilot study assessed the presence of nerve fibres in endometrium of women undergoing IVF due to various causes and examined the correlation between the presence of nerve fibres and IVF success. A total of 32 IVF patients underwent endometrial biopsy during days 21-23 of the menstrual cycle. Nerve fibres were identified by immunohistochemical staining. Correlations between the presence and density of nerve fibres and aetiology of infertility and IVF success were measured. Nerve fibres were identified in the endometrium of 10/31 (32.3%) women with a satisfactory biopsy. Presence of nerve fibres was not correlated with cause of infertility. Clinical pregnancy was achieved in 12/32 (37.5%) patients, without correlation to presence of nerve fibres in the endometrium. Nerve fibres were identified in a substantial percentage of women undergoing IVF, possibly reflecting underdiagnosis of endometriosis in this population. The presence of nerve fibres does not appear to interfere with implantation. The significance of nerve fibres in the endometrium of IVF patients warrants further research. The presence of nerve fibres in the functional layer of the endometrium has been strongly associated with endometriosis. The presence of nerve fibres in the endometrium of women undergoing IVF has not been previously assessed. Our aim was to assess the presence of nerve fibres in endometrium of women with various causes of infertility undergoing IVF and to examine the association between the presence of nerve fibres in the endometrium and IVF success. In a prospective study, 32 IVF patients underwent endometrial biopsy during days 21-23 of the menstrual cycle. Nerve fibres were identified by immunohistochemical staining. Associations between the presence and density of nerve fibres and the aetiology of infertility and IVF success were measured. Nerve fibres were identified in the endometrium of 10/31 (32.3%) women with a satisfactory biopsy. No association was found between the presence of nerve fibres and the cause of infertility. Clinical pregnancy was achieved in 12/32 (37.5%) patients, without association with the presence of nerve fibres in the endometrium. Nerve fibres can be identified in a substantial percentage of women undergoing IVF, possibly reflecting underdiagnosis of endometriosis in this population. Their presence does not interfere with embryo implantation. The significance of nerve fibres in the endometrium of IVF patients warrants further research.
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Suzanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wand
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: a_w@zahav.net.il.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sagiv
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Research Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boaz
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ravhon
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Sarit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seadia
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barkat
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golan
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lavran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000473:pathology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: IVF; endometrial biopsy; endometriosis; endometrium; implantation; nerve fibres