Human Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Trophoblastic Spheroid (BAP-EB) as a Predictive Tool for Endometrial Receptivity and Pregnancy Outcome of in Vitro Fertilization Treatment

Study Objectives and Purpose:

There are three objectives in this study:

1. To determine the predictive value of the attachment rate of BAP-EB onto EEC on success of IVF treatment. The attachment rate of BAP-EB onto EEC of subfertile women in a natural cycle preceding the IVF cycle will be determined and correlated with the cumulative live birth rate in a subsequent stimulated IVF cycle and the derived frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.
2. To identify the surface molecules on EEC responsible for attaching to BAP-EB. The biotin-labeled primary EEC surface proteins that bind onto BAP-EB will be purified and identified by mass spectrometry. The bound proteins from "receptive" and "non-receptive" endometrial cell lines will be compared. The expression of the surface proteins on endometrial samples obtained in Objective 1will be correlated with their BAP-EB attachment rate.
3. To compare the BAP-EB attachment rate and expression of the attachment-related "receptive" EEC surface molecules between pre-receptive and receptive endometrium and between women with repeated implantation failure (RIF) and subfertile women due to male factors. To identify women with endometrial defects, women with RIF and failed IVF after preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) will be recruited. The latter recruitment criterion excludes RIF due to embryo aneuploidy.

Subjects:

Patients will be recruited from the Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, the University of Hong Kong at Queen Mary Hospital (HKU-QMH CARE) and at University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH CARE), the Dr Stephen Chow Chun-kay Assisted Reproduction Centre, Kwong Wah Hospital (SCCARC).