Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Colony Stimulating Factor -1 and Leukemia Inhibitor Factor expression from current -cycle 
cannula isolated endometrial cells are associated with increased endometrial receptivity and 
pregnancy  
 
Version: 0 Date: 21 Mar 2017  
 
Reviewer: Naguib Salleh  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
A study by  Camargo -Diaz et al, attempted to overcome the difficulties in determining with high 
accuracy the reliable markers for endometrial receptivity, which is an indicator of a successful 
embryo implantation which ultimately lead to establishment of pregnancy. T heir study is simple, 
yet interesting, drawn from adequate number of women which showed a strong association 
between significantly elevated expression of LIF and CSF -1 in endometrial cells with successful 
pregnancy rate in women underwent IVF due to variou s reasons.  
The rationales for identifying these 2 markers have been provided and the aims were well 
outlined. The methods were adequate. It would be interesting to stain the endometrial cells with 
antibodies against LIF and CSF -1, in order to confirm the ir mRNA findings. These would further 
strengthened the overall conclusions. However, if this is not possible, then can be put under 
further studies for validation.  
Limitations of this study should be further discussed. Were these cells only derived from the 
luminal epithelium, or did this include the glandular epithelium as well, in which the glands are 
known to be the main source for LIF?. What about the stromal / d ecidual cells? Could they 
secrete LIF and CSF -1 too?  
Can the author briefly described the IVF treatment regime received by these women? Would 
progesterone treatment causes increased in LIF and CSF -1? 
Or these women received different treatment based on t heir conditions?  
Authors concluded that determining the levels of LIF and CSF -1 can be used to predict 
endometrial receptivity development in women. Would these be too late to determine as the 
embryo is at the same time being transferred? Uterine flushing  prior to embryo transfer can be 
done and endometrial cells retrieved and assessed for their LIF and CSF -1 levels, if in case they 
were high, then embryo can be transferred. These would be more practical rather than 
transferring the embryo and at the same time determining the development of endometrial 
receptivity.  
I think all these limitations etc should be included prior publication in order to make the findings 
more meaningful.  
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 con trols 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.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recom mend 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  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
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