Expression of endometrial protein markers in infertile women and the association with subsequent in vitro fertilization outcome

Endometrial biopsies were performed during the luteal phase just before an IVF cycle in 104 infertile women, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate expression patterns of hCG-LH receptor, leukemia-inhibitory factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, HOXA-10, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and their relation to subsequent IVF pregnancy. Only glandular expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A in early luteal endometrium was significantly higher in the pregnant group compared with the nonpregnant group (6.0 ± 3.9 vs. 2.9 ± 3.4) and thus could be a predicting marker for subsequent IVF pregnancy.