R. Narayan et R. Goswamy, SUBENDOMETRIAL-MYOMETRIAL CONTRACTILITY IN CONCEPTION AND NON-CONCEPTION EMBRYO-TRANSFER CYCLES, Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology, 4(6), 1994, pp. 499-504
Citations number
NO
Categorie Soggetti
Acoustics,"Obsetric & Gynecology","Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
This study describes the characteristics of subendometrial-myometrial
contractions seen on transvaginal sonography on the day of embryo tran
sfer in assisted conception cycles and their significance for pregnanc
y outcome. A total of 112 cycles were studied where three embryos with
minimal or no fragmentation were transferred. Transvaginal sonography
was performed just prior to embryo transfer. A sagittal view of the u
terine cavity was obtained and the ultrasound probe was held steady fo
r 2 min. The video recorded image was analyzed at normal, three and fi
ve times normal speed. The frequency (contractions/min), direction (fu
ndally or cervically directed) and length (entire cavity or localized)
of contractions were noted. Conception and non-conception cycles were
compared by determining the standard error of difference between mean
s and proportions and the confidence intervals. The mean frequencies o
f contractions in the conception and non-conception cycles were 2.09 (
SD = 0.8) and 1.92 (SD = 0.85), respectively. A total of 57.6% of cycl
es in the conception group and 46% in the non-conception group had con
tractions directed towards the cervix. There was no statistically sign
ificant difference between the two groups in any of the parameters stu
died. However, when frozen embryo replacement cycles (n = 40) were stu
died separately, the incidences of fundally directed contractions were
28.6% and 66.7% in conception and non-conception cycles, respectively
. This was statistically significant. Comparison of cycles resulting i
n miscarriage with those leading to pregnancies beyond 16 weeks reveal
ed no statistical difference in the characteristics of the contraction
s. We concluded that subendometrial-myometrial contractions studied on
the day of embryo transfer (luteal day 2) do not predict the outcome
in in vitro fertilization cycles.