Scarring womb lining could increase IVF success
Researchers in Brazil have stated that carrying out a small biopsy of the endometrial wall prior to embryo implantation increases the chance of a resulting pregnancy from 38 to 63 per cent.The findings have been presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), this year held in Stockholm.
The procedure leaves a tiny scar in the womb wall and be carried out without the need for a local anaesthetic.
The study was led by Dr Fernando Prado Ferreira at Santa Joana Maternity Hospital in Sao Paulo.
In a trial conducted with 144 women with an average age of 33, 46 were given the treatment and 98 did not receive the new treatment.
Doubled success rate
Dr Ferreira commented, “Having a biopsy prior to IVF treatment almost doubled the chances of pregnancy over those who did not. The results are very consistent and could mean that the endometrial biopsy is routinely used in all future treatments."
Dr Ferreira went on to say, “The endometrial biopsy appears to lead to scarring in the uterus that provides better adhesion of the embryo, either through the scarring itself or through substances called cytokines released when the wound is caused in the womb.”
False hopes
However, others have stated that the results should be treated with a degree of caution and should not raise false hopes, this is partly because the study was relatively small.
Read more at: telegraph.co.uk