title: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and reproductive medicine: A review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been proposed to improve pregnancy outcomes in reproductive medicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A systematic review of the current use of G-CSF in patients who have difficulty conceiving and maintaining pregnancy was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two electronic databases (PubMed/ Medline and Scopus) were searched. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. The subject codes used were granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, G-CSF, recurrent miscarriage, IVF failure, and endometrium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search of electronic databases resulted in 215 citations (PubMed/ Medline: 139 and Scopus: 76), of which 38 were present in both databases. Of the remaining 177 publications, seven studies were included in the present review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with G-CSF is a novel proposal for immune therapy in patients with recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure following cycles of IVF. However, a larger number of well-designed studies are required for this treatment to be established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Borges
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cavalcante
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pregnancy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Fabrício DA Silva
authors.initials: Fda S
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barini
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Araujo Júnior
keywords: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; Immunotherapy; Recurrent miscarriage; Reproductive medicine; Review