Tests of endometrial receptivity
Endometrial receptivity is the ability of the endometrium to successfully attach the blastocyst, to nourish it and keep it alive. This can only be achieved after the endometrium underwent a number of histological changes while also increasing in thickness.
Blastocyst/embryo can implant in the so called IMPLANTATION WINDOW. The implantation window is usually between days 19 and 21 of the menstrual cycle. As a result of certain inflammatory, anatomical or hormonal abnormalities, this window may be narrowed or shifted. Consequences are infertility or pregnancy loss.
ERA: Endometrial receptivity analysis
The lining of the uterus (endometrium) plays a key role in the implantation of the embryo. Many studies have shown that the receptivity of the endometrium is time-limited and very individual.
In our center, we enable personalized embryo transfer with the help of endometrial biopsy and genetic examination (ERA: Endometrial Receptivity Analysis), which determines the optimal time window for transferring the embryo into the uterus.
EMMA: Analysis of the Endometrial Microbiome
Recent studies have shown that the lining of the uterus is not sterile, but is inhabited by many non-pathogenic bacteria that create endometrial microbiome. It is a population of microbes that create a normal endometrial environment. Disturbed balance e.g. lactobacilli in the uterus has been proven to be the cause of fertility problems.
In our center, we enable patients to examine the microflora of the uterine mucosa with a simple endometrial biopsy procedure and the advanced NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) method. In this way, the DNA profile and thus the type of bacteria that are genuine in the lining of the uterus is precisely determined.
ALICE: Analysis of chronic endometritis
Chronic endometritis (inflammation of the uterine lining) is a relatively common, but often underestimated cause of poor implantation results or frequent miscarriages. It is caused by pathogenic bacteria that are not normally present in the mucous membrane (Streptococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus, Mycoplasma and Ureoplasma sp.).
In exactly the same way as for EMMA or ERA (only one biopsy can be used for all three tests), the presence of pathogenic bacteria is determined and, based on the result, antibiotic therapy or probiotics are prescribed (in case of dysbiosis detected by EMMA).