UTERINE JUNCTIONAL ZONE CONTRACTIONS DURING ASSISTED REPRODUCTION CYCLES VIDEO

This study was designed to assess junctional zone contractions (JZ) du ring cycles of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer in ooc yte donors exposed to a long protocol regime for ovarian stimulation. Real-time transvaginal ultrasound and advanced audio-visual and comput er technology were used to evaluate the contraction pattern, frequency and velocity. At the time of down-regulation JZ contractions were not observed. After 7 days of superovulation all patients displayed cervi co-fundal, fundo-cervical and random contractions. Cervico-fundal wave s dominated the picture at the time of human chorionic gonadotrophin i njection. However, the activity was strongest on the day of oocyte ret rieval. At that time the percentage of opposing waves increased and fu ndo-cervical waves disappeared. The highest wave frequency and velocit y (4.29 +/- 0.68 waves/min and 2.73 +/- 0.54 mm/s respectively) were o bserved at the time of oocyte retrieval. All patients had some JZ acti vity on days 2, 3 and 4 after oocyte retrieval but regular wavelike co ntractility gradually decreased and only single random movements were seen on day 4 after oocyte retrieval, In conclusion, JZ activity throu ghout the IVF cycle is more exaggerated when compared to the results r eported from observations of the natural cycle but follows a similar p attern, This fact can probably be explained by the vastly different ho rmone levels. Higher JZ activity and correspondingly increased mobilit y of the endometrium may impair its receptivity and affect implantatio n.