The ART journey is a trying one, and repeated failures can be difficult for patients and couples. While some cases can be explained by science, thanks in particular to new tools such as the MatriceLab uterine receptivity test, others can seem magical.
Following a call for testimonials that we relayed on social networks, Margaux’s story might seem unique and incredible. Here is the message she sent to our team a few weeks ago:
After 3 years of unexplained infertility, 6 unsuccessful intrauterine inseminations, 2 IVF cycles with 2 failed embryo transfers, and 2 early miscarriages following 2 additional transfers, I decided to take the MatriceLab test, it was the only test we hadn’t tried yet.
For the first time in 3 years of unexplained failures, we finally received a diagnosis: I had a mixed immune profile. We were advised to test the recommended treatment on a new biopsy to confirm its effectiveness, but we didn’t have time to do so because I became pregnant naturally in the cycle following the biopsy.
I took the pregnancy test on the very day I thought I would have to start injections for another IVF cycle. I couldn’t believe it. Now, 2 months pregnant, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly until the end! Thank you for putting a name to real issues.
Margaux
This testimonial was given on a personal basis; every fertility treatment journey is different and results are not guaranteed.
But in medicine, there are very few miracles that are truly incomprehensible, so to help us understand, we asked Dr Nathalie Lédée, PhD in reproductive immunology and co-founder of the laboratory, to explain.
Quite simply, what could have happened in this patient’s case?
Performing a uterine local injury (in this case, a biopsy) very precisely during the implantation window resulted in better maturation of immune cells for the following cycle. This potentiated the expression of adhesion-promoting molecules in the uterus. This is exactly the effect we aim for when we recommend scratching after detecting immune dysregulation in a patient.
Does it happen a lot?
Yes, according to our data, 8% of patients with uNK cell immaturity (cases of under-activation and certain mixed profiles) will have a spontaneous pregnancy!
We have also observed spontaneous pregnancies during the cycle following therapeutic testing in certain cases of over-activation. So yes, it can happen!
On a more general note, do many patients who have undergone and failed at IVF become pregnant naturally?
Around 5% of women become pregnant naturally during a course of an ART process, which is not insignificant. Until we had this information on uterine receptivity, the mechanism was not well understood. The immunological test has enabled us to understand and identify these cases more precisely.
The ART process can be full of surprises, as Margaux’s story shows. As you can see, the difference between failed implantation and pregnancy is not necessarily due to complicated medical treatments or procedures.
The study of endometrial receptivity and biomarkers identified by the MatriceLab team enables us to understand these phenomena, to explain them when they seem extraordinary, but above all to optimize the success rates of the next embryo implantation in the IVF pathway for patients who have failed to implant or who have suffered repeated miscarriages.