[Sonographic aspects in the study of endometrial receptivity in women undergoing in vitro fertilization]

The embryo implant is the limiting step of the reproductive process about the phenomena involved in the determinism of endometrial receptivity. Some aspects of ultrasound could help us in this regard. The aim of this study was to test the relationship between three ultrasound parameters such as endometrial pattern, subendometrial vascularization, and uterine artery pulsatility index with success rates of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and with pregnancy rates.

Twenty-four women candidates for IVF in 2009 were enrolled. A transvaginal ultrasound was performed two-four hours before the embryo transfer to assess differences in the endometrial pattern, subendometrial vascularization, and uterine artery pulsatility index with reference to the group of pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Pregnant women most often reveal a trilaminar pattern, a subendometrial vascularization with vessels that penetrate the outer hyperechoic edge of endometrium, and a low-medium uterine artery pulsatility index compared to the group of non-pregnant patients.

All three studied parameters seem to correlate in the determinism of endometrial receptivity. This leads us to conclude that a trilaminar pattern supported by a correct vascularization and by uterine artery pulsatility index of less than three are good predictors of implant. Their evaluation before subjecting the patient to the embryo transfer may help to increase the pregnancy rate.