What is Endometrial Immunology?

The endometrial immunology test allows the detection of immune alterations that may prevent embryo implantation and interfere with the development of the pregnancy.

The endometrial immune system is essential in the process of embryo nesting and pregnancy development. When pregnancy occurs, there must also be a dialogue between the maternal immune system and the embryo. This molecular relationship interferes with implantation for the pregnancy to progress. An unbalanced immune system can lead to implantation failure and repeated miscarriages.

With this immunological test we will be able to know if there are functional failures in the endometrium, identify the presence of immune cells in the endometrium, especially NK cells (Natura Killers Cells) and their receptors called KIR, which recognize and bind to the HLA-C molecules, which are responsible for the recognition between self and foreign, and which can cause the rejection of the embryo.

For whom is it?

The endometrial immunological test is useful in IVF treatments, Ovodonation, Embryo donation and ROPA method in which embryo transfer is performed. Generally, this test will be indicated in the following cases:

  • Implantation failures in previous treatments with good quality embryo transfer.
  • Repeated miscarriages.
  • Infertility of unknown origin.

With a complete evaluation of your case, the Vida Fertility Institute team will guide you on which tests are necessary to identify fertility problems. The immunological test can be completed with the Endometrial Receptivity test.

How the is Endometrial
Immunology test process?

This immunological test consists of the endometrial preparation of the patient and a biopsy of the endometrial tissue at a specific time in the cycle.

When the sample has been obtained, it is sent to the molecular laboratory and we proceed to study the expression of endometrial immune cells. With this study, we evaluate whether the endometrium is ready to receive the embryo and whether implantation is correct from an immunological point of view.

The technique used is flow cytometry, which helps us to determine the state of the patient’s immune balance and to assess whether immunotherapy is required to restore this cellular balance.