Endometrial scratching for poor responders based on the Bologna criteria in ICSI fresh embryo transfer cycles: a preliminary retrospective cohort study

Objective This study evaluated the effect of endometrial injury on pregnancy outcomes in patients with a poor ovarian response (POR), based on the Bologna criteria, who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Material and Methods Sixty-eight patients were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. All patients in the endometrial scratching group (group 1, n=32) and control group (group 2, n=36) underwent office hysteroscopy in the early follicular phase of the cycle before controlled ovarian stimulation. Group 1 also underwent endometrial scratching. The main outcome measure was the ongoing pregnancy rate. Results The study groups had similar baseline demographics, including age, body mass index, duration of infertility, number of ICSI cycles, and hormone levels. However, the antral follicle count was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (4.2±1.9 vs 3.3±1.8; p 0.05 for all). Conclusion Endometrial scratching did not improve pregnancy outcomes for patients meeting the Bologna criteria for a POR to ICSI cycles using fresh embryo transfer and the GnRH antagonist protocol.