Endometrial Infertility in Patients of Late Reproductive age (a review)

Background. Endometrial infertility is a frequent cause of failure in assisted reproduction. Causes of endometrial infertility are manifold and require comprehensive assessment for a successful choice of treatment strategy.

Objectives. A review of infertility concepts accounting for endometrial infertility in women of late reproductive age.

Methods. Bibliographic analysis: sources for review were mined in the PubMed, MedLine, eLibrary and Cyberleninka databases at a depth of 10 years. Keyword queries were: endometrial factors of infertility, uterine infertility [маточные факторы бесплодия], causes of infertility. Selected articles related to female infertility and, particularly, endometrial factors of infertility. Low-informative articles were not considered.

Results. A total of 51 sources were analysed, with 36 selected in the review. The reviewed evidence suggests that endometrial female infertility in late reproductive age is associated with cumulative gynaecological pathology and age-related change adversely impacting endometrial receptivity and synchrony with embryo maturation in assisted reproductive protocols.

Conclusion. Determining the functional status of endometrium is prerequisite for the outcome prognosis in assisted reproduction due to feasible failures to conceive with a vital embryo but reduced endometrial receptivity. This observation warrants a timely diagnosis and treatment of endometrial disorders prior to having assisted reproductive interventions. Woman’s age is the main predictor of successful pregnancy in IVF/ICSI protocols. Among the main markers of successful implantation is endometrial thickness. Uterine infertility may relate to impaired local immunity and autoimmune responses in uterine cavity. The most common mechanisms of uterine infertility are associated uterine myoma, endometriosis and endometritis. Women with uterine infertility attempting IVF/ICSI procedures often exhibit asynchronous endometrial development relative to the embryo maturity for implantation.

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