Updates in Endometrial
Receptivity
Hesham Al-Inany, PhD, M.D
- dynamic tissue
- changes during the menstrual cycle
- Decidualization is the most imazing
- E.R : balance between adhesion, invasion, growth differentiation, immuno-
modulation.
Endometrium
Endometrial receptivity & Age
70%
Conception needs a receptive endometrium and a competent blastocyst. (Kim
SM et al.,2017)
It usually occurs between day 20-24 of the menstrual cycle or day 6-10 post
ovulation. (Bruce Lessey ., 2011)
Window of Implantation (WOI) : Max receptivity
1
5
2 4
3
6
1. Pre-receptive endometrium
2. Initial embryo attachment
3. Continuing embryo attachment
4. Signaling between embryo, epithelium and stroma
5. Stromal invasion
6. Desidualization
8
7
Implantation
5
Fatemi et al., 2008, Human Reproduction Update
How to Diagnose E.R
1st Part
- Endometrial biopsy at time of OPU
- Ultrasound markers
- Biochemical markers
- OMICS
Markers of Endometrial Receptivity
• Noyes et al 1950 established morphological criteria to evaluate endometrial
development and receptivity. The use of Noyes criteria to predict the WOI
accurately has been questioned and randomized studies have invalidated
their use.(Coutifaris C .,2004)
• It needs biopsy !!
Histological Markers
Endometrial pinopods 2010
Normal endometrial secretory
epithelial cells. Most secretory cells
bears a fully developed pinopodes
which may protrude beyond the length
of ciliated cells
(Marina Aunapuu et al .,2018)
Again require biopsy
IVF & Endometrial receptivity
High
Estradiol
Up-regulates
PR-rec
Progesterone
rise
Advanced
endometriu
m
Implantation
failure
OPU If advancement > 3days No pregnancy!!!
(Ubaldi,1997; Kolibianakis, 2002)
HCG
B B
High estradiol
up-regulates
PR
Day-3
Day-5
14
Other Factors
CD
56
Il-1
• Stimulates Il-6, Il-8, LIF, TNFa,
PGE2, COX-2, MMP, Integrins
• Knockouts not infertile
Gp 130 cytokines
• Il-6, increases MMP-9
• Il-11, decidualization of stroma
• LIF, decidualization,
cytotrophoblast anchoring
Il-15
• Cell-cell interaction decidua-Nkcell
CRH
• Decidualization
• Inhibit immune response with Fas-
ligand
MUC-1
Natural Killer
Leucocytes
• endometrial thickness and pattern
• Endometrial volume
• sub-endometrial vascularization index
• Not reliable as a diagnostic marker for endometrial receptivity
Ultrasound markers
Biochemical Markers
Biochemical
markers
Endometrial
adhesion
molecules
Endometrial
anti-adhesion
molecules
Endometrial
cytokines
Endometrial
growth factors
• Integrins
• Cadherins
• Selectins
• immunoglobulin
superfamily
• mucin 1(MUC-1) • Leukaemia inhibitory factor
• interleukin-1
• interleukin-11
• colony-stimulating factor
• Heparin binding-
epidermal growth
factor (HBEGF)
• Insulin like growth
factor binding
protein1(IGFBP-1)
Cavagna M et al.,2003
Biochemical markers
E-tegrity test
E-tegrity Plus test
Endometrial
function test (EFT)
based on Beta-3 integrin expression
Which is a glue-like protein, necessary for implantation to take
place
combines Beta-3 integrin, with a newly discovered biomarker,
BCL6 which is a gene repressor and accurate predictor for the
presence of inflammation caused by endometriosis,
adenomyosis, or tubal disease
is based on alterations in cyclin E and on p27 expression
(Kliman HJ et al.,2006) (Germeyer A et al., 2014) (Chelsea Fox et al .,2016)
- lack accuracy and a predictive value.
- All fades away
Unfortunately
biological samples
- genomics (study of genes),
- transcriptomics (study of gene expression),
- proteomics (quantification of proteins),
- metabolomics
Currently, transcriptomics are considered the most established technology
available for evaluation of E.R (Messaoudi S et al.,2019)
OMICS
The age of (OMICS)
Bissonnette et al., 2016
How it works
Amplification & labelling
Hybridization on chip
Endometrium cells
RNA extraction
Affymetrix GeneChip®
Operating Software
(GCOS)
- Require frozen embryo transfer (FET)
Commercially available
the ERA test (Endometrial
Receptivity Array) :
a customized array based on the
expression of 238 genes coupled
to a computational predictor
capable of diagnosing a
functionally receptive
endometrium.(Diaz-Gimeno P et
al.,2011)
- Recurrent implantation failure
- Single embryo transfer (sET). (Barzilay Eran et al.,2018)
- endometrial biopsy must be performed at P+5 (hormone replacement
therapy cycle) or at LH+7 (natural cycle)
Invasive
But
• No RCT have been conducted
• Commercially propagated without clear evidence
EMMA
ALICE
EndomeTRIO
Coming soon
• Recent research has identified the existence of an endometrial microbiome,
• pathogenic variations of endometrial Lactobacilli levels could play a role in
RIF. (Moreno et al., 2016).
• EMMA can determine if the uterine microbial environment is optimal for
embryo implantation.
• Percentage of Lactobacilli in the endometrial sample
Endometrial microbiome metagenomic Analysis
(EMMA)
the aim of improving the clinical management of patients with this silent
disease. (Moreno et al.,2018)
Analysis of chronic infectious endometritis
(ALICE)
A combination of ERA,EMMA and ALICE tests
EndomeTRIO
Conclusion I : E.R can not be accurately predicted
How to Improve ?
2nd Part
what to do ?
• Increase vascularity
• Reducing Gn dose
• Immunomodulaion
• Endometrial scratch
• PRP
Increase Endometrial Vascularity
• Aspirin
• Viagra
• Nitric oxide donor
• All no beneficial effects
Gn effect on endometrium ( September 2020)
• Reducing dose of Gn in COH
• Max dose is 300 Iu
• Preferable starting dose is 150 IU for those with AMH 1-4
Immune system
• NK cells assay
• Intralipid infusion
• No evidence of effectiveness
Many papers in favor
Evidence is clear : 2020
PRP : Feb,2020
• Intrauterine infusion of autologous PRP in women undergoing IVF: A
meta-analysis
• 625 women
• clinical pregnancy (RR: 1.79, 95 % CI: 1.37, 2.32; P < 0.001)
• endometrial thickness increased (SMD: 1.79 mm, 95 % CI: 1.13, 2.44;
P < 0.001
Endometrial compaction (May, 2020)
• (Decreased Thickness) in Response to Progesterone : Results in
Optimal Pregnancy Outcome in Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfers.
Fresh cycles ?
• No answer yet
• Needs RCT
• Sample size : 1400 participants
Requires only
• U/S on day of hCG
• U/S before ET
• Calculate the difference
• If more than 15% reduction : good prognosis
Advantages
• Non invasive
• Cheap
• Available
• Respect the concept : Dynamic
Conclusion II
• Three factors could be of help to improve endometrial receptivity
• Reducing Gn dose
• PRP
• Check for endometrial compaction
Thank you

Updates in endometrial receptivity

  • 1.
  • 2.
    - dynamic tissue -changes during the menstrual cycle - Decidualization is the most imazing - E.R : balance between adhesion, invasion, growth differentiation, immuno- modulation. Endometrium
  • 3.
  • 4.
    Conception needs areceptive endometrium and a competent blastocyst. (Kim SM et al.,2017) It usually occurs between day 20-24 of the menstrual cycle or day 6-10 post ovulation. (Bruce Lessey ., 2011) Window of Implantation (WOI) : Max receptivity
  • 5.
    1 5 2 4 3 6 1. Pre-receptiveendometrium 2. Initial embryo attachment 3. Continuing embryo attachment 4. Signaling between embryo, epithelium and stroma 5. Stromal invasion 6. Desidualization 8 7 Implantation 5 Fatemi et al., 2008, Human Reproduction Update
  • 6.
    How to DiagnoseE.R 1st Part
  • 7.
    - Endometrial biopsyat time of OPU - Ultrasound markers - Biochemical markers - OMICS Markers of Endometrial Receptivity
  • 8.
    • Noyes etal 1950 established morphological criteria to evaluate endometrial development and receptivity. The use of Noyes criteria to predict the WOI accurately has been questioned and randomized studies have invalidated their use.(Coutifaris C .,2004) • It needs biopsy !! Histological Markers
  • 9.
    Endometrial pinopods 2010 Normalendometrial secretory epithelial cells. Most secretory cells bears a fully developed pinopodes which may protrude beyond the length of ciliated cells (Marina Aunapuu et al .,2018) Again require biopsy
  • 10.
    IVF & Endometrialreceptivity High Estradiol Up-regulates PR-rec Progesterone rise Advanced endometriu m Implantation failure
  • 11.
    OPU If advancement> 3days No pregnancy!!! (Ubaldi,1997; Kolibianakis, 2002) HCG B B High estradiol up-regulates PR Day-3 Day-5 14
  • 12.
    Other Factors CD 56 Il-1 • StimulatesIl-6, Il-8, LIF, TNFa, PGE2, COX-2, MMP, Integrins • Knockouts not infertile Gp 130 cytokines • Il-6, increases MMP-9 • Il-11, decidualization of stroma • LIF, decidualization, cytotrophoblast anchoring Il-15 • Cell-cell interaction decidua-Nkcell CRH • Decidualization • Inhibit immune response with Fas- ligand MUC-1 Natural Killer Leucocytes
  • 13.
    • endometrial thicknessand pattern • Endometrial volume • sub-endometrial vascularization index • Not reliable as a diagnostic marker for endometrial receptivity Ultrasound markers
  • 14.
    Biochemical Markers Biochemical markers Endometrial adhesion molecules Endometrial anti-adhesion molecules Endometrial cytokines Endometrial growth factors •Integrins • Cadherins • Selectins • immunoglobulin superfamily • mucin 1(MUC-1) • Leukaemia inhibitory factor • interleukin-1 • interleukin-11 • colony-stimulating factor • Heparin binding- epidermal growth factor (HBEGF) • Insulin like growth factor binding protein1(IGFBP-1) Cavagna M et al.,2003
  • 15.
    Biochemical markers E-tegrity test E-tegrityPlus test Endometrial function test (EFT) based on Beta-3 integrin expression Which is a glue-like protein, necessary for implantation to take place combines Beta-3 integrin, with a newly discovered biomarker, BCL6 which is a gene repressor and accurate predictor for the presence of inflammation caused by endometriosis, adenomyosis, or tubal disease is based on alterations in cyclin E and on p27 expression (Kliman HJ et al.,2006) (Germeyer A et al., 2014) (Chelsea Fox et al .,2016)
  • 16.
    - lack accuracyand a predictive value. - All fades away Unfortunately
  • 17.
    biological samples - genomics(study of genes), - transcriptomics (study of gene expression), - proteomics (quantification of proteins), - metabolomics Currently, transcriptomics are considered the most established technology available for evaluation of E.R (Messaoudi S et al.,2019) OMICS
  • 18.
    The age of(OMICS) Bissonnette et al., 2016
  • 19.
    How it works Amplification& labelling Hybridization on chip Endometrium cells RNA extraction Affymetrix GeneChip® Operating Software (GCOS)
  • 20.
    - Require frozenembryo transfer (FET) Commercially available the ERA test (Endometrial Receptivity Array) : a customized array based on the expression of 238 genes coupled to a computational predictor capable of diagnosing a functionally receptive endometrium.(Diaz-Gimeno P et al.,2011)
  • 21.
    - Recurrent implantationfailure - Single embryo transfer (sET). (Barzilay Eran et al.,2018) - endometrial biopsy must be performed at P+5 (hormone replacement therapy cycle) or at LH+7 (natural cycle) Invasive
  • 22.
    But • No RCThave been conducted • Commercially propagated without clear evidence
  • 23.
  • 24.
    • Recent researchhas identified the existence of an endometrial microbiome, • pathogenic variations of endometrial Lactobacilli levels could play a role in RIF. (Moreno et al., 2016). • EMMA can determine if the uterine microbial environment is optimal for embryo implantation. • Percentage of Lactobacilli in the endometrial sample Endometrial microbiome metagenomic Analysis (EMMA)
  • 25.
    the aim ofimproving the clinical management of patients with this silent disease. (Moreno et al.,2018) Analysis of chronic infectious endometritis (ALICE)
  • 26.
    A combination ofERA,EMMA and ALICE tests EndomeTRIO
  • 27.
    Conclusion I :E.R can not be accurately predicted
  • 28.
    How to Improve? 2nd Part
  • 29.
    what to do? • Increase vascularity • Reducing Gn dose • Immunomodulaion • Endometrial scratch • PRP
  • 30.
    Increase Endometrial Vascularity •Aspirin • Viagra • Nitric oxide donor • All no beneficial effects
  • 31.
    Gn effect onendometrium ( September 2020) • Reducing dose of Gn in COH • Max dose is 300 Iu • Preferable starting dose is 150 IU for those with AMH 1-4
  • 33.
    Immune system • NKcells assay • Intralipid infusion • No evidence of effectiveness
  • 34.
  • 35.
  • 36.
    PRP : Feb,2020 •Intrauterine infusion of autologous PRP in women undergoing IVF: A meta-analysis • 625 women • clinical pregnancy (RR: 1.79, 95 % CI: 1.37, 2.32; P < 0.001) • endometrial thickness increased (SMD: 1.79 mm, 95 % CI: 1.13, 2.44; P < 0.001
  • 37.
    Endometrial compaction (May,2020) • (Decreased Thickness) in Response to Progesterone : Results in Optimal Pregnancy Outcome in Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfers.
  • 38.
    Fresh cycles ? •No answer yet • Needs RCT • Sample size : 1400 participants
  • 39.
    Requires only • U/Son day of hCG • U/S before ET • Calculate the difference • If more than 15% reduction : good prognosis
  • 40.
    Advantages • Non invasive •Cheap • Available • Respect the concept : Dynamic
  • 41.
    Conclusion II • Threefactors could be of help to improve endometrial receptivity • Reducing Gn dose • PRP • Check for endometrial compaction
  • 42.

Editor's Notes