Endometrial biopsy at the time of embryo transfer: correlation of histological diagnosis with therapy and pregnancy rate.

Biopsy to assess the state of the endometrium was performed in 27 patients prior to embryo transfer. Of the 24 classifiable biopsies, 15 (63%) were secretory and 9 (37%) were proliferative. In the nine women in the latter category, in vitro fertilization (IVF) resulted in four preclinical pregnancies and five failures. In the 15 women with secretory endometrium there were 11 pregnancies (3 preclinical, 6 abortions, and 2 term). This study demonstrates that endometrial biopsy at the time of embryo transfer does not exclude viable pregnancy. The presence of a proven secretory endometrium may also be an important factor in determining the successful outcome of IVF.