Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Evidence that the adverse effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on successful pregnancy outcome following embryo transfer may be related to premature trophoblast invasion
Purpose: To determine if premature trophoblast invasion may be a contributing factor to lower fecundity associated with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Blood samples were obtainned three-five days after ET to measure expression by lymphocytes of a 34 kDa protein known as the progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) using an immunocytochemistry technique. Clinical and viable pregnancy rates were determined according to whether PIBF was detected or not. Results: Progesterone-induced blocking factor was positive in 14 of 67 (21 %). Clinical pregnancy rates following fresh ET were 7.1 % for those positive for PIBF versus 43.4% for those negative for PIBF. Conclusions: Progesterone-induced blocking factor production requires allogeneic induction of progesterone receptors in gamma/delta T-cells. This suggests early detection of PIBF may be relate to premature invasion possibly into an endometrium not yet prepared for the trophoblast, thus possibly leading to early immune rejection of the fetus.