Using autologous intrauterine platelet-rich plasma to improve the reproductive outcomes of women with recurrent implantation failure

OBJECTIVE: Reproductive clinics are often faced with cases of repeated implantation failure (RIF). This study evaluated whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) might improve the implantation outcomes of patients suffering from RIF. METHODS: Thirty women with RIF submitted to frozen-thawed embryo transfers were included in the study. Intrauterine infusions of autologous purified platelet preparations were administered 48 hours prior to embryo transfer. Differences in implantation, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage rates of cycles with and without PRP infusions were analyzed. RESULTS: The implantation rate seen in the PRP group was 6.7%. No significant difference was found the between the implantation, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and miscarriage rates of frozen-thawed embryo transfers with and without PRP infusion. However, the effect size of PRP infusion (Cohen's d=0.39) on implantation rates revealed a relationship in medium strength. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich plasma might potentially yield beneficial effects as a safe therapeutic option offered alongside other treatments designed to improve the reproductive outcomes of women with repeated implantation failure.