IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL CRITERIA FOR ENDOMETRIAL RECEPTIVITY DURING IMPLANTATION WINDOW
Introduction. The one of the important ways of increasing the effectiveness of the methods of IVF is to study the mechanisms of regulation
of implantation. Implantation is a multicomponent and strictly specific system, any violation of it leads to a deterioration of pregnancy, as in
vivo, and in IVF cycles. Complex mechanisms of infertility and the individuality of the each patient require the development of the panel of
markers that enables the «personalized approach» in the preparing of women and treatment them with IVF.
The aim of the study. The objective was to evaluate the factors involved in key stages of the process of implantation and determine its
success, and the possibility to use them in clinical practice for an evidence-based treatment planning.
Methods. There were examined endometrial biopsies from 100 women under the age of 37 years, with various infertility factors. Biopsies
were obtained during the period of the alleged «window of implantation», planned for the cycle to IVF. The obtained material was investigated
with the use of immunohistochemical and histological methods. The study included biopsies containing endometrium at the middle stage of
the secretion phase as well as samples with negative values for markers of chronic endometritis (СD 138, CD 4, CD 8). Immunohistochemical
studies were performed with the use of monoclonal antibodies ER (Dako, 1:35), PR (Dako, 1:50), TGF-β1 (Novocastra 1:40), and polyclonal
antibodies to LIF (Abcam, 1:100).
Results. The study showed that the level of progesterone receptor expression in the stroma as well as the expression of TGF-β1 in the
glands allow to evaluate the endometrial receptivity.
Conclusion. Evaluation of the factors of endometrial receptivity with the use of immunohistochemical methods helps to the doctor-
reproductologist to make a decision about the worthwhileness of the embryo transfer in the current or subsequent cycles
Keywords:
endometrium, in vitro fertilization (IVF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), transforming growth factors, receptivity