title: Quantitative Assessment of Endometrial Volume and Uterine Vascularity and Pregnancy Outcome in Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the usefulness of the endometrial volume and vascular indices in the endometrial region as an effective predictor for pregnancy outcome in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 131 embryo transfer cycles in 73 infertile women. After controlled ovarian stimulation all embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage, and the blastocysts with good quality were vitrified for elective FET. On the day of FET, endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index of uterine artery and endometrial-subendometrial vessels (ESVs) with zonal discrimination were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography in each patient. These variables were compared between pregnant and nonpregnant cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The endometrial volume was significantly higher in the pregnant group (2.32 ± 0.86, 1.96 ± 0.62 mL, p = 0.007). Also, PI of ESVs was significantly higher in the pregnant cycle (2.58 ± 1.32 and 2.05 ± 1.08, p = 0.016). The other variables were not different between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggested that endometrial volume and the vascular indices measured in endometrial region are useful predictors of pregnancy outcome.
authors.forename: Jong-Kil
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Ju-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Chang-Won
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyu-Sup
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging