The impact of endometriosis on embryo implantation in IVF procedures

Abstract

Embryo implantation is the most important event in the achievement of conception. In the presence of any endometrial disease, this process can be hampered. The endometriosis is linked to causing infertility. It is a chronic uterine disease that is dependent on estrogens and is associated with reduced fecundity. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of endometriosis on embryo implantation in patients undergoing IVF. This is a case-control study, with case to control ratio of 5:1. The study included 50 patients with endometriosis and 10 patients without endometriosis served as control. The endometriosis was diagnosed by symptoms, pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound examinations. The serum estrogen levels, fertilization rate and implantation rate were determined. Since the presence of a haemorrhagic cyst was suspected at the ultrasonographic finding of masses parallel to the ovaries, measurement of the CA 125 marker was carried out for differential diagnosis. The data were recorded in Excel sheets and analysed using statistical functions of Excel. The significance level was set at 0.05%. Most of the patients in endometriosis group (68%) had elevated CA125 Levels and 56 % had high E 2 level. In the control, only one patient had high E2 level. In the endometriosis group, 31.67% had positive pregnancy test, while 90% patients without endometriosis had positive pregnancy test. These differences were statistically significant. These data reveal that the patients with endometriosis had significantly higher levels of E2 and CA125 marker in blood and had significantly lower implantation rates as compared to those in the control group.