Oxytocin antagonists may improve infertility treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To confirm the improvement of uterine receptivity following administration of oxytocin and vasopressin V1A antagonist atosiban.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Private reproductive medicine center.

PATIENT(S): A 42-year-old woman with a history of 15 years' infertility and seven failed in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF-ET) attempts.

INTERVENTION(S): Atosiban (mixed vasopressin V1A/oxytocin antagonist registered for the treatment of imminent premature birth) was administered on the 14th day of endometrial synchronization for oocyte donation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Uterine contractile activity (component of uterine receptivity) and success of treatment of infertility.

RESULT(S): Intense spontaneous uterine contractility was visualized by transvaginal sonography. After 1 hour of intravenous infusion of atosiban, a repeated scan showed a significant decrease in contractile activity (11 vs 7 contractions per 4 minutes, respectively). The ET was performed immediately after, and the infusion of atosiban continued for the next 2 hours. The treatment decreased the uterine contractile activity and resulted in successful embryo implantation and a normal twin diamniotic pregnancy.

CONCLUSION(S): Atosiban may improve uterine receptivity during ET and may increase success rates of advanced infertility treatment procedures.