P-306 GnRH agonists exert a positive influence on regulatory immune cells in the endometrium of women with adenomyosis
Authors: Seeber B , Zippl A , Kyvelidou C , Reiser E , Braun A  S , Toth B 
Published: July 2024

Study question

How does treatment with GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) prior to frozen embryo transfer (FET) in women with adenomyosis affect immune cell populations in endometrium and peripheral blood?

Summary answer

GnRH-a induces a decrease in monocytes and an increase in CD4+T-cells in peripheral blood and a decrease classical monocytes and T-regulatory cells in the endometrium

What is known already

Adenomyosis is associated with lower implantation and higher miscarriage rates. Observational studies have reported improved pregnancy outcomes in women with adenomyosis after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and pre-treatment with GnRH-a prior to FET. However, the specific mechanisms of GnRHa action beyond central hormonal suppression remain unclear, but may be mediated through local and/or systemic immunomodulation.

Study design, size, duration

Prospective cohort study including infertile women with adenomyosis and GnRH-a treatment ≥3 months prior to FET. Pre- and post-treatment analysis of blood and endometrium samples were compared. Recruitment is ongoing with n = 30 women included thus far, 16 of whom have completed the study, while the remaining are still undergoing GnRH-a therapy.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Adenomyosis was diagnosed sonographically if ≥ 2 criteria published by the MUSA group were met. Peripheral blood and endometrial samples were obtained before and after treatment with GnRH-a. Plasma cells and uterine Natural Killer (uNK) cells in endometrial biopsies were quantified with immunhistochemistry (IHC), and leukocyte populations in all samples were analysed using flow cytometry (FC). Pre- and post-treatment levels of immune cells and percentage of leukocyte populations were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests (p &lt; 0.05 significant)

Main results and the role of chance

Interim analysis of immune cell populations in peripheral blood and endometrium of the 16 women who already completed the study was performed. At baseline, IHC showed elevated plasma cell concentrations indicating chronic endometritis in 3/30 patients (10%), while uNK cells were elevated (&gt;300/mm2) in 13/30 patients (43.3%). FC analysis of peripheral blood showed a significant decrease in percentage of monocytes (p = 0.01) and increase in percentage of T-cells (p = 0.03), specifically concentration of CD4+T-cells (p = 0.03), after treatment with GnRH-a as compared to pre-treatment levels. In the endometrium, following GnRH-a therapy, we observed a decrease in both the percentage of classical monocytes (p = 0.03) and T-regulatory cells (p = 0.03). All 16 participants who completed the study already underwent FET, resulting in ten pregnancies (62.5%), although four resulted in miscarriage, while the outcome of the remaining pregnancies is still pending.

Limitations, reasons for caution

These are preliminary results whose generalizability needs to be confirmed in a larger study population. No correction for multiple comparisons was performed and significant findings have to be interpreted with caution.

Wider implications of the findings

Elevated uNK on IHC cells seen at baseline may be associated with implantation failure, miscarriage. CD4+ and DN T-cells are important mediators of reproductive immune tolerance. In women with adenomyosis, GnRH-a may have a positive impact on these regulatory immune cells in peripheral blood as well as in the endometrium.

Trial registration number

Not applicable