Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
Establishment of an Embryo Implantation Model In Vitro
Published on: June 21, 2024
Increased endometrial placenta growth factor (PLGF) gene expression in women with successful implantation
Alessandro Santi1, Rahel S Felser, Michael D Mueller
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inselspital, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
Objective:
To analyze the vascularization of the endometrium via hysteroscopy and to assess its correlation with angiogenic factor gene expression and embryo implantation rate.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Public university hospital.
Patient(S):
Patients undergoing hysteroscopy for supposed infertility.
Intervention(S):
Endometrial quality assessment according to Sakumoto-Masamoto, performed in the early secretory phase of the cycle. Collection of an endometrial tissue biopsy.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and determination of gene expression of angiogenesis- and implantation-relevant factors using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Retrieval of pregnancy information from the medical records.
Result(S):
Good quantity/quality RNA with infertility history was obtained from 63 participating women. Those with a "good" endometrium and subsequent pregnancy showed increased gene expression for placenta growth factor when compared with patients with a "bad" endometrium and who did not succeed with pregnancy to date. Nonpregnant women with a "good" endometrium presented an intermediate result. No significant differences were observed for several other genes tested, but trends in the same direction were observed.
Conclusion(S):
This study demonstrates for the first time that endometrial PLGF expression corresponds to the hysteroscopic appearance of the endometrium, and therefore has potential as a clinically relevant prognosticator for infertility treatment success.
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