Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Endometrial scratching in women with implantation failure after a first IVF/ICSI cycle; 
does it lead to a higher live birth rate? The SCRaTCH study: a randomized controlled trial (NTR 
5342)  
 
Version: 0 Date: 03 Dec 2016 
 
Reviewer:  Neelam  Potdar  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
This tr anslational research is well designed to investigate the role of Endometrial Scratch as an 
intervention to improve outcomes with Assisted reproduction. It will be extremely useful to 
understand the basic science behind the proven/assumed benefit of the int ervention from the 
embedded sub -study.  
 
In the UK, currently there is a multi -centre RCT ongoing to determine the role of endometrial 
scratch in first cycle IVF for women aged 18 -37 years. The results from both studies will be 
enlightening and add to the b ody of existing evidence on Endometrial Scratch.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in  the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Qualit y of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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