Correlation of uterine scoring system for reproduction with pregnancy rate among infertility patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection and frozen-thawed embryo transfer

Authors

  • Yashila Prithika U. Department of Reproductive Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Mahalakshmi Saravanan Department of Reproductive Medicine, ARC International Fertility and Research Centre, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Nidhi Sharma Department of Reproductive Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20222974

Keywords:

Uterine scoring system, Pregnancy, Frozen embryo transfer

Abstract

Background: Successful implantation requires presence of a good quality embryo and receptive endometrium. Endometrial receptivity is ability of endometrium to successfully attach embryo, nourish and keep it alive. Sonographic findings are weighed according to uterine scoring system for reproduction (USSR) or uterine biophysical profile (UBP) by Applebaum. It has become absolute necessity to evaluate uterus and endometrium prior to embryo transfer, so that optimum results are obtained in favourable uteri.

Methods: It is a prospective observational study which includes 100 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment followed by frozen embryo transfer. The Applebaum scoring system was done on the day of thawing scan, using ultrasonography (USG) and Doppler studies, assessing endometrial thickness, endometrial motion, endometrial layering, myometrial contractions, uterine artery doppler flow, endometrial blood flow in zone 3 and myometrial blood flow – the scores of each parameter was noted, the final score calculated.

Results: Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve total score in Applebaum scoring system for predicting pregnancy has a cut-off- 13 with sensitivity- 90.10%, specificity- 89.5%, positive predictive value (PPV)-97.34%, and negative predictive value (NPV)- 67.95. The above should be incorporated into routine practice. This was suggested by our study results in addition to endometrial patterns.

Conclusions: Applebaum’s USSR scoring system is a simple and non-invasive method for prediction of pregnancy rate in ICSI and frozen embryo transfer cycle. Uterine scoring system will help to perform embryo transfers in only favourable uteri and postpone or cancel those cycles in which poor uterine score is demonstrated.

 

Author Biographies

Yashila Prithika U., Department of Reproductive Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Tamil Nadu, India

Postgraduate, department of reproductive medicine

Mahalakshmi Saravanan, Department of Reproductive Medicine, ARC International Fertility and Research Centre, Tamil Nadu, India

HOD, Department of reproductive medicine

Nidhi Sharma, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam, Tamil Nadu, India

Associate Professor, Department of Reproductive medicine

References

Demir R, Kayisli UA, Cayli S, Hupperzt B. Sequential steps during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in the very early humanplacenta. Placenta. 2006;27:535-9.

Nardo LG. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle, implantation window and early pregnancy. Curr Opin Obstetr Gynecol. 2005;17:419-23.

Sherer DM, Abulafia O. Angiogenesis during implantation, and placental and early embryonic development. Placenta. 2001;22:1-13.

Singh N, Bahadur A, Mittal S, Malhotra N, Bhatt A. Predictive value of endometrial thickness, pattern and sub-endometrial blood flows on the day of hCG by 2D doppler in in-vitro fertilization cycles: a prospective clinical study from a tertiary care unit. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2011;4:29-33.

Weissman A, Gotlieb L, Casper RF. The detrimental effect of increased endometrial thickness on implantation and pregnancy rates and outcome in an in vitro fertilization program. Fertil Steril. 1999;71:147-9.

El-Zenneni H, Moustafa R, Abdel-Hafeez M, El-Salally H, Abdel-Kader A, Elnaggar A, et al. Assessment of uterine, subendometrial blood flows and endometrial gland vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) in women with unexplained infertility. Middle East Fertil Soc J. 2015;20(2):119-26.

Ng EH, Chan CC, Tang OS, Yeung WS, Ho PC. The role of endometrial and subendometrial blood flows measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the prediction of pregnancy during IVF treatment. Human Reprod. 2006;21:164-70.

Ng EHY, Chan CCW, Tang OS. The role of endometrial and subendometrial vascularity measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the prediction of pregnancy during frozen thawed embryo transfer cycles. Human Reprod. 2006;21:1612-7.

Downloads

Published

2022-11-25

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles