Authors: Neumann Brooke, Check Jerome, Wilson Carrie.
Background: Previous studies have found a lower live delivered pregnancy rate (LDPR) when women have a triple-line (TL) endometrial echo pattern in mid-luteal phase in natural cycles, but not specifically when a donor oocyte was used.
Objective: To determine if failure of progression of a triple line (TL) sonographic endometrial echo pattern despite supplemental progesterone (P) support in the luteal phase is associated with a LDPR following frozen embryo transfer (FET) where the embryos were derived from donor oocytes.
Study Design/Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed over a twenty-year period of all FET cycles performed in women ≤ age 42 and women ≥ age 43 when the oocyte source was a fresh donor oocyte. All women were on the same regimen of maximum P where 100 mg of P in oil plus vaginal P once there was adequate endometrial thickness. All FETs occurred on day three. The live delivered pregnancy rates were determined and compared according to whether a TL echo pattern, isoechogenic (IE), or homogenic hyperechogenic (HH) was found on the seventh day of taking P.
Results: No matter what age, the TL pattern was uncommon (<5%). Women aged > 43 showed a non-significant trend of about a 33% reduction in LDPRs if they continued with a TL pattern into mid-luteal phase.
Conclusion: Identifying a TL mid-luteal echo pattern may help to identify a potential correctable reason for failure to conceive following transfer of embryos derived from younger donors in a small minority of women aged > 43.
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