P-294 Intrauterine infusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma(PRP) for patients with refractory thin endometrium in euploid frozen embryo transfer cycles improve pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Lee J  H , Ryu H  E , Choi G  H , Baek J  I , Shin M  Y , Lee S  H , Park S  J , Hur Y  J , Kim J  H , Kim H  O , Lee K  A , Kim M  J , Yoon T  K , Park E  A 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Can intrauterine infusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma(PRP) for patients with refractory thin endometrium in euploid frozen embryo transfer(FET) cycles improve pregnancy outcomes?

Summary answer

Intrauterine infusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma(PRP) for patients with refractory thin endometrium in euploid FET cycles improve pregnancy outcomes.

What is known already

Previous studies have reported a positive correlation between endometrial thickness and pregnancy rate, which has led to the common clinical practice of canceling embryo transfer in cycles where the patient’s endometrial thickness remains below 7mm.One of the novel and promising treatments to improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with refractory thin endometrium is intrauterine infusion of autologous PRP.Recent studies demonstrated that intrauterine infusion of PRP improve pregnancy outcomes in these patients.Thus, to better assess the efficacy of intrauterine PRP treatment, further studies involving euploid embryos are necessary to rule out failed implantation or pregnancy loss due to aneuploidy of the embryos.

Study design, size, duration

This retrospective study analyzed all cycles(n = 131) of euploid FET in women with refractory thin endometrium at the CHA Fertility Center in Seoul Station from January 2022 to August 2023.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received PRP intrauterine infusion before embryo transfer in euploid FET cycles.Group A(n = 88) received intrauterine infusion of PRP at least once before transfer of euploid FET,and Group B(n = 43) underwent euploid FET without PRP infusion.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Intrauterine infusion of autologous PRP was performed on patients who had more than two canceled FET cycles due to thin endometrial thickness(&lt;7mm). Endometrial preparation was executed according to a standardized protocol for hormone replacement therapy. Group A received the last autologous PRP infusion 48 hours before euploid FET. PRP preparation was carried using an aseptic PRP centrifuge kit (PROSYS PRP; Prodizen, Korea). All embryos transferred were tested for genetic abnormalities using next-generation sequencing.

Main results and the role of chance

There was no significant difference in mean age and maximum endometrial thickness between the two groups. (38.1±3.1 vs. 38.3±3.2, p = 0.986 and 6.6±1.1 vs. 6.0±0.8, p = 0.320, respectively) Group A had significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates and ongoing pregnancy rates than Group B. (51.1% vs. 30.2%, p = 0.024 and 44.3 vs. 16.3%, p = 0.0017, respectively) Implantation rate and beta HCG positivity were also higher in group A, but there was no statistical difference. (63.6% vs. 46.5%, p = 0.063 and 37.2 vs. 23.2%, p = 0.064, respectively)

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is a retrospective study and results must be confirmed on a well-designed randomized controlled study. Also, follow-up study consisting of larger number of patients is necessary.

Wider implications of the findings

Autologous PRP intrauterine infusion has shown positive effects in assisting implantation in patients with refractory thin endometrium. In particular, euploid frozen embryo transfer in these patients excludes failed implantation and pregnancy loss due to embryo aneuploidy, suggesting that intrauterine PRP treatment contributes to successful implantation and pregnancy.

Trial registration number

not applicable