Importance of Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) in IVF

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is a widely used procedure to treat infertility. It uses embryos, produced in the lab with the help of egg fertilized by sperms, for conception. Once embryos are formed, it is transferred to the mother’s uterus. That leads to conception and finally pregnancy.

It is also evident that not all transferred embryos in a cycle, ensure conception. Sometimes, none of the implanted embryos is capable to achieve pregnancy. Some couples may suffer from multiple implantation failures and may not get pregnant even after transferring the best quality embryos. In these cases, it is clear that embryo quality is not causing the failure. It is the endometrium non-receptivity (hostility) towards the embryos, which is causing multiple implantation failures.

For a successful conception, the uterus must be receptive (responsive) towards the transferred embryos. The responsiveness of the endometrium is checked by the Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) test. Earlier, doctors had to perform repetitive IVF cycles until the conception is achieved. ERA saves the time and efforts of the doctor and determines the exact time for implantation.

The endometrium is the internal lining of the uterus that becomes thicker during ovulation and the embryo must stick to it for conception. An ERA is a molecular diagnostic test that evaluates more than 238 genes to predict the ideal timeframe of embryo implantation.

Potential Candidates for this Test

Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour – the best IVF doctor in Delhi NCR explains the ideal candidates for this test.

• A woman undergoing an IVF treatment with more than 3 IVF cycle failures. It checks the responsiveness of the endometrium.
• If a woman is likely to go for IVF process and diagnoses with thin endometrium.
• If 2 IVF cycles with donor eggs have been failed.

 

Procedure of ERA Test

In this procedure, a mock cycle of embryo implantation is performed. The body is tricked and mocked similar to the implantation process. Progesterone hormones are responsible for preparing the uterus for the embryo to be transferred. The patient is kept on the progesterone supplements for 5 days. After 5 days, a sample of tissue is taken out from the endometrium through biopsy. The biopsy is done with a small pipelle that is injected into the vagina and scratches the uterine lining to receive a sample. Now, the genes in the tissue samples are examined for receptivity. This process is not painful at all. ERA uses the transcriptomic signature of Endometrial Receptivity during blastocyst adhesion. It involves testing the customized microarray data through the computer for better precision.

If the test suggests that the uterus is receptive, the IVF cycle is performed at the scheduled time. If the uterus is found non-receptive, the timing for progesterone doses is regulated until the right time of complete receptivity has reached.  An abnormal test report indicates that the uterus is not prepared to receive and implant the embryos.

This test must be performed 1 to 1.5 months before the actual IVF cycle. These test add-ons the extra cost in the IVF process; however, it enhances the success rate of IVF.

For the best infertility treatment, contact SCI IVF Hospital - the best infertility clinic in Delhi.