Endometrial evaluation is not predictive for in vitro fertilization treatment

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate ovarian function by clomiphene citrate (CC) challenge test in a group of tubal infertile women and to study endometrial morphological maturation in the early luteal phas e of CC-stimulated cycles as compared to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treat ment outcome. Methods and Results: Four women presented with strongly retarded, prolifera tive endometrium in the luteal phase. Of these, three presented with impair ed ovarian function, high basal follicle-stimulating hormone, and high-foll icle-stimulating hormone levels after clomiphene stimulation on cycle day 1 0. In the remaining 30 women, showing an in-phase endometrium after CC stim ulation, a comparison of six morphological characteristics did not reveal a ny significantly differences between the 14 women who did become pregnant a nd the 16 who did not. Na significant differences in endometrial thickness were observed between the groups. Significant differences were found when c omparing estradiol and progesterone area under the curve during the luteal phase (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) between those who did and thos e who did not become pregnant. Conclusions: Luteal endometrium morphology was not a sharp instrument to de tect differences between women who did and women who did not become pregnan t following NF treatment, while ovarian function, as measured by hormonal m arkers, seemed to be a more reliable prognostic factor for IVF treatment ou tcome.