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Thanks to the endometrial immunology test, we know that in addition to the quality of the embryo and the endometrium, many other factors are involved in the success of a fertility treatment. Among the causes of failure, we have discovered that immunology, i.e. the way in which the woman’s body reacts to pregnancy, is decisive for the embryo implantation and the proper development of the pregnancy.
Endometrial Immunology and pregnancy
Immunological tests in case of implantation failures
Thanks to the endometrial immunology test, we know that in addition to the quality of the embryo and the endometrium, many other factors are involved in the success of a fertility treatment. Among the causes of failure, we have discovered that immunology, i.e. the way in which the woman’s body reacts to pregnancy, is decisive for the embryo implantation and the proper development of the pregnancy.
What is the endometrial immunology test used for?
To achieve an on-going pregnancy, there must be a dialogue between the immunological system of the endometrium and the embryo. This molecular relationship plays a role in implantation and in the development of the pregnancy. An unbalanced immune system can lead to repeated implantation failures and miscarriages.
With this immunological test, we will be able to identify functional defects in the endometrium, as well as the presence of immune cells in the endometrium, especially NK cells (Natural Killers Cells) and their receptors called KIR, which recognise HLA-C molecules responsible for identifying foreign bodies that may cause the embryo to be rejected.
Who is it for?
The endometrial immunological test is useful in IVF treatments, Egg donation, Embryo donation and ROPA method, whenever there is an embryo transfer. Generally, this test will be indicated in the following cases:
History of implantation failure in previous treatments after transfer of good quality embryos.
Repeated miscarriages.
Unexplained infertility.
After a full assessment of your case, Vida Fertility specialists will direct you towards the necessary tests to identify your fertility problems. The immunological test can be combined 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 during the cycle.
When the sample has been collected, it is sent to the molecular laboratory which studies the expression of endometrial immune cells. With this study, we evaluate whether the endometrium is ready to receive the embryo for a successful implantation 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.
FAQs about endometrial immunology
At Vida Fertility, we are a pioneering clinic in the immunological approach to infertility. We have a specialised medical team and work with leading laboratories to study immunological alterations in the endometrium, such as uterine NK cells, KIR receptors, HLA-C and the implantation window. If you have had implantation failures, recurrent miscarriages or unsuccessful IVF cycles, studying your immunological profile may be key.
KIR-HLA-C analysis studies the immunological compatibility between the mother and the embryo, evaluating KIR receptors (present in uterine NK cells) and HLA-C antigens inherited from the embryo.
If there is an incompatibility between the two, an immune response may occur that prevents implantation. This study allows us to identify patients with high immunological risk and design personalised treatments with immunomodulatory support.
KIR-HLA-C analysis is an advanced genetic test that has an additional cost to fertility treatment, and varies slightly depending on the laboratory that processes it.
At Vida Fertility, we will provide you with a detailed quote and will only recommend it if there is a clear medical justification, such as a history of recurrent miscarriages, implantation failures or previous treatments with no apparent cause of failure.
Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the natural immune system. In the uterus, these cells help control the implantation process and regulate placental development.
When their quantity or function is altered, they can produce an inflammatory environment that hinders embryo implantation or triggers a miscarriage. That is why it is important to study their behaviour in women with unexplained infertility or repeated failures.
A high number or deregulated activity of NK cells can be detrimental to fertility, as they could attack cells in the embryo or endometrium.
In these cases, we design specific protocols that include immunomodulatory treatments, such as corticosteroids, heparin, immunoglobulins or colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), depending on each profile.
NK cells are immune system cells, while KIR receptors are proteins on their surface that recognise signals from the embryo (HLA-C).
What is important is not only the number of NK cells, but how these receptors interpret the information from the embryo. An unfavourable combination can cause an excessive or insufficient immune response, hindering implantation. The combined KIR-HLA-C analysis gives us a more complete picture.
Yes. When NK cells are hyperactive or poorly regulated, they can interfere with embryo implantation or cause an immune reaction that prevents the pregnancy from developing, leading to early miscarriages.
Studying the endometrial immune environment allows us to design targeted treatments that reduce this risk and improve the chances of reproductive success.
Specialists in endometrial receptivity testing
I am Beatriz Lozano, director of the Vida Fertility laboratory, and for years we have been studying the immunological factors that can affect embryo implantation. Alterations in NK cells, displaced implantation windows or KIR-HLA-C incompatibilities can explain many cases of unexplained infertility, recurrent miscarriages or IVF failures.
At Vida Fertility, we analyse your immunological profile on an individual basis and work with specific protocols to help you achieve what you desire most.
Patient experiences in Vida Fertility
It is incredible how, from absolute resignation, these doctors have lifted my spirits. They got me pregnant and gave me my life back. They live up to their name.
I had to find a way to become a mother if I wanted to pursue my career and not settle for just any partner. I made the right choice.
From the very first moment I felt I was being listened to, understood, and above all, I felt that my treatment was finally going in the right direction.
Hello dear Mrs Ortega,
you and the whole team of Vida fertility make us so happy. Finally a relief that we can be helped! Many thanks to you and all the others for the great care and exceptional quality work. This high quality means a lot to us. We hope that in 2024 we can take a healthy baby full of love into our arms.❤️
Thanks to Dr. Kathi’s support and by following all her advice, the best moment of the treatment came: I got pregnant.
I didn’t know if I would ever be able to get pregnant and now I’m in my 5th month of pregnancy.
It hasn’t been an easy journey. After the second attempt, I am happy to say that in two months I will be meeting my little girl.
Being able to experience this shared motherhood has been a gift for the two of us.
THANK YOU to this great team for everything!
We highly recommend Vida Fertility to anyone who has already given up hope and wants to give it one last try.
A huge thank you to the entire Vida Fertility team, especially to Sophie and Dr. Spies, who helped us achieve the wonderful project of expanding our family. We met a very competent team who perfectly guided and advised us on the medical choices to make at each stage of our journey. 🫶
I recommend Vida Fertility for their professionalism, humanism, and availability.
Our wonderful baby is the proof that the results are there!
Thank you!
Thanks to Vida fertility, we are now mums. Mums!!
It’s the greatest gift of all, we’re so happy!
The good feeling will certainly have contributed to the success of the treatment.
When we first contacted the clinic, I didn’t expect to become a mum so quickly, and now I even have hope that we might be able to create a sibling for our son with the remaining blastocysts.
Thank you!
I chose Vida Fertility because it’s a clinic that offers human support from the very beginning. I’m convinced that my state of mind, so influenced by the unconditional support they gave me, was key to the success of my treatment.
At the first consultation, I felt heard, understood, and full of hope again. The final transfer, our last chance, took place in February 2024… and it worked. Our little girl has brought immense joy to our whole family.
Being a single parent brings challenges, but I’d recommend anyone thinking about it to go for it. Vida Fertility made my dream come true with my first IVF.
