Effect of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Intrauterine Infusion on the Clinical Outcomes of Freeze-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles in Patients With Atypical Recurrent Implantation Failure
Jie Song , Yuanjiao Liang , Jinchun Lu , Fang Yang , Li Ling
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (12) : 43161
Atypical recurrent implantation failure (RIF) poses a challenge for freeze-thawed embryo transfer (FET) as current interventions showing limited efficacy. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may improve the pregnancy outcomes, but its value before FET in such patients remains unclear.
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of patients with atypical RIF (a history of one or two prior failed embryo transfers) who underwent another FET in Reproductive Medicine Center of Zhongda Hospital between January 1, 2022, and June 1, 2024. Patients who received autologous PRP intrauterine infusion before FET were designated as the PRP group (n = 59), while matched patients from the same period who did not receive PRP served as the control group (n = 79). The two groups were compared for endometrial thickness on the day of embryo transfer, biochemical pregnancy rate, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and early miscarriage rate.
No statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between the control and PRP groups (all p > 0.05). The PRP group had a significantly higher biochemical pregnancy rate (66.10% vs. 45.57%), embryo implantation rate (43.75% vs. 30.83%), and clinical pregnancy rate (57.63% vs. 39.24%) compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
For patients with atypical RIF, intrauterine infusion with autologous PRP can increase the embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in subsequent FET cycles.
autologous platelet-rich plasma / freeze-thawed embryo transfer cycle / intrauterine infusion / atypical recurrent implantation failure / embryo implantation rate / clinical pregnancy rate
| • | • GnRHa (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist) downregulation hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cycle: On days 2–4 of the menstrual cycle, 3.75 mg of leuprorelin acetate (Livzon, H20090299, Shanghai, China) was administered via subcutaneous injection for pituitary downregulation. After 28–30 days, and once downregulation was confirmed to be satisfactory, oral estradiol valerate (Femoston red tablets) was started at 4 mg/day (Abbott Healthcare Products BV, H20110208, Weesp, Netherlands). One week after estrogen administration, endometrial thickness was measured by ultrasound, and the estradiol dose was adjusted accordingly. The maximum duration of estrogen administration was 20 days. When ultrasound indicated the endometrial thickness was 8 mm, or if it was 8 mm but had reached the patient’s maximal endometrial response, endometrial transformation was induced by progesterone applied vaginally at 90 mg/day (Merck Serono, H20140552, Geneva, Switzerland) and dydrogesterone (Femoston yellow tablets) taken orally at 40 mg/day. On the 4th day after progesterone exposure, one or two D3 embryos were thawed and transferred. Alternatively, on the 6th day after progesterone exposure, one or two blastocysts were thawed and transferred. |
| • | • HRT cycle (no downregulation): Femoston (red tablets, 4 mg/day) was started directly from D2–4 of the menstrual cycle. One week later, endometrial thickness was measured by ultrasound, and the dose of red tablets was adjusted according to the endometrial response. Estrogen administration continued for a maximum of 20 days. When ultrasound revealed an endometrial thickness of 8 mm (or 8 mm but with optimal thickness achieved), progesterone support was initiated to induce endometrial transformation (progesterone at 90 mg/day applied vaginally, and Femoston yellow tablets at 40 mg/day taken orally). On the 4th day after progesterone exposure, one or two D3 embryos were thawed and transferred. Alternatively, on the 6th day after progesterone exposure, one or two blastocysts were thawed and transferred. |
| • | • Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycle: 2.5–5 mg of letrozole (Hengrui, H19991001, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China) was taken orally for 5 days from D4 of the menstrual cycle. Ultrasound was used to monitor the follicular size, and 75–150 U HMG (Livzon, H10940097, Shanghai, China) was administered to support follicle growth when necessary. When the serum estradiol level reached 200–300 pg/mL, or the follicle diameter was 18 mm, an ovulation trigger of 10,000 IU of HCG (Livzon, H44020672, Shanghai, China) was given. After ovulation was confirmed, endometrial transformation was induced by progesterone at 90 mg/day applied vaginally and Femoston yellow tablets taken orally at 40 mg/day. On the 3rd day after ovulation, one or two cleavage-stage embryos were thawed and transferred, or on the 5th day after ovulation, one or two blastocysts were transferred. |
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