Objective: To determine whether endometrial activity is related to the occurrence of pregnancy in spontaneous menstrual cycles.
Design: Prospective observational ultrasound evaluation of endometrial activity during fertility screening cycles.
Setting: University hospital-based infertility clinic.
Patient(s): Fifty-nine fertility screening cycles (ultrasound monitoring of follicle growth and ovulation, postcoital test, semen analysis, midluteal P, Chlamydia antibody determination, and tubal patency testing) were performed in 47 couples complaining of infertility. In 33 couples (37 cycles), no fertility impairing factors were found. Endometrial activity was analyzed in these cycles.
Intervention(s): Ultrasound examination was performed transvaginally throughout the cycle.
Main outcome measure(s): Endometrial activity, wave pattern, pregnancy.
Results(s): Nine women conceived within the cycle studied. Conception cycles showed less-activity compared with nonconception cycles. Endometrial wavelike activity increased throughout the follicular phase and decreased after ovulation in conception and nonconception cycles.
Conclusion(s): Endometrial activity is related to fecundability in a spontaneous cycle.