A STUDY OF ENDOMETRIAL MORPHOLOGY IN WOMEN WHO FAILED TO CONCEIVE IN A DONOR INSEMINATION PROGRAM

Objective To examine the morphology of endometrium in women who failed to conceive after nine or more cycles of donor insemination treatment . Design Prospective study. Setting Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffie ld. Subjects Two groups: twenty-six infertile women and a control grou p of eight fertile women. Intervention Endometrial biopsy specimens we re obtained in the mid-luteal phase, timed precisely by the luteinisin g hormone surge. Main outcome measure Morphological study of endometri al biopsy specimens by the use of traditional dating criteria and esta blished morphometric techniques. Results Twelve biopsy specimens (42%) were found to be retarded. In addition, morphometric analysis reveale d significant differences in the glandular component of the endometriu m between the infertile and fertile groups. Conclusion Endometrial def ect leading to implantation failure may be an important underlying cau se of failure to conceive after repeated attempts at donor inseminatio n. The endometrium should be investigated in this group of women, and further attempts at donor insemination treatment should be offered onl y in conjunction with attempts to restore the normality of the endomet rium.