Endometrial receptivity in an in vitro fertilization program as assessed by spiral artery blood flow, endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, and uterine artery blood flow

Objective: To investigate the role of sonographic parameters in assessing e ndometrial receptivity in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: University setting. Patient(s): One hundred thirty-five patients in our IVF program, selected p rospectively on the day of oocyte retrieval. Intervention(s): Transvaginal ultrasound examination was performed before o ocyte collection. Main Outcome Measure(s): Association between implantation rate and spiral a rtery blood flow (primary outcome measure) and between implantation rate an d endometrial measurements as well as uterine artery blood flow (secondary outcome measures). Result(s): Overall implantation rate was 23.7% per cycle. Subendometrial bl ood flow was detected in 113 (83.7%) cases, with pregnancy occurring in 21. 2%. Mean spiral artery pulsatility index values were 1.12 +/- 0.28 and 1.21 +/- 0.27 for nonconception and conception cycles, respectively. Nondetecta ble spiral artery blood flow was not associated with a lower implantation r ate. Neither endometrial thickness nor endometrial volume was correlated wi th the likelihood of successful implantation. Minimum endometrial thickness and volume associated with pregnancy were 6.9 mm and 1.59 mL, respectively . Conclusion(s): Neither Doppler sonography of the spiral or uterine arteries nor measurement of the endometrial thickness or volume allowed a reliable prediction of subsequent IVF outcome. (Fertil Steril((R)) 2001;75: 361-6. ( C)2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).