Endometrin for luteal phase support in a randomized, controlled, open-label, prospective in-vitro fertilization trial using a combination of Menopur and Bravelle for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of a vaginal progesterone (P(4)) insert (Endometrin) for luteal support for assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Design: Multicenter, randomized, open-label (assessor-blinded) phase III clinical trial.

Setting: Twenty-five U.

Expression of L-selectin ligand MECA-79 as a predictive marker of human uterine receptivity.

Problem: Patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) represent a subgroup of couples who suffer from unexplained infertility. Human blastocysts utilize L-selectin to initiate implantation by binding to endometrial ligands composed of oligosaccharide moieties on the surface glycoproteins. The absence of these ligands could lead to recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in some of these couples.

Trophoblast L-selectin-mediated adhesion at the maternal-fetal interface.

Trophoblast adhesion to the uterine wall is the requisite first step of implantation and, subsequently, placentation. At the maternal-fetal interface, we investigated the expression of selectin adhesion systems that enable leukocyte capture from the bloodstream. On the maternal side, human uterine epithelial cells up-regulated selectin oligosaccharide-based ligands during the window of receptivity.