Assessment of endometrial receptivity in unexplained infertility by Doppler ultrasound and interleukin-1

Objective: to estimate endometrial receptivity in women with unexplained infertility. Design: prospective clinical trial Setting: Suez canal and Cairo University hospitals Materials and Methods: The study included 63 women with unexplained infertility and a control group = 31 normal fertile women. All women had transvaginal Doppler imaging of the uterine and spiral arteries on the same day of interleukin assay. 39 patients of the study group were monitored during natural cycles, while the remaining 24 patients were monitored through stimulated cycles using clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins, and a combination of both. Outcome measures: The resistance index (RI) and the pulsatility index (PI) were evaluated in uterine and spiral arteries. All women had a serum assay of IL-1b using the ELISA technique on cycle day 21 -24. Results: The PI and the RI of the uterine arteries were significantly higher in the study group (3.8 ± 0.61, 0.96 ± 0.04) compared to the control group (2.82 ± 0.10, 0.83 ± 0.07). The endometrial thickness was significantly higher in stimulated cycles compare to natural cycles. The PI and the RI of spiral arteries were significantly higher in the study group (1.4 ± 0.39, 0.67 ± 0.06) compared to the control group (0.96 ± 0.10, 0.58 ± 0.05). When a cut of value of 15 pg/ml was considered, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding serum IL-1b.Conclusion: Doppler study of endometrial blood flow can be an important tool in evaluation of uterine receptivity in women with unexplained infertility. Serum IL-1b appears of less value in this respect. Copyright © Middle East Fertility Society.