Frequently asked questions

Our test provides us information on the presence and activity of immune cells which are needed for future embryo implantation. In effect, understanding the mechanisms which cause implantation failures (a fault or, on the contrary, a locally excessive immunological activity which can cause failure of an embryo implant) This test allows us to define precise and customised management of infertility in order to re-establish endometrial equilibrium, and support embryo implantation.

• Women presenting with repeated and unexplained implantation failures after several attempts at IVF/ICSI.
• Women with several unexplained miscarriages Couples who wish to use a donation of oocytes and would like to ensure beforehand that they are properly receptive in order to optimise attempts
• Women with unexplained infertility

We do not perform a biopsy in our laboratory. You need to set an appointment with your gynaecologist. The material needed for the biopsy is sent to your doctor upon his request by email. If your gynaecologist would not like to have this test performed, we can refer you to other gynaecologists who are near to you.

The biopsy should be performed during the implantation window (which begins after the embryo transfer window). The date of the biopsy must be scheduled with the doctor who will perform the sampling because it is fully dependent on your cycle.

We recommend performing the biopsy on a mock cycle regardless of your cycle’s regularity or type of transfer. The biopsy will be performed after at least 10 days of estrogen alone and 7 full days of estrogen and progesterone (or between 6 and 9 days after the start of progesterone). Your gynecologist will prescribe the treatment for you. Estrogens are to be started on the first day of the cycle (first day of the period). For those without a cycle, your doctor may prescribe you to take the pill for one month (in order to recreate a cycle) and then start the estrogens on the first day of the period.

The biopsy can also be performed in a natural cycle 8 to 11 days after the LH peak or 9 to 12 days after ovitrelle injection. It is important to monitor the cycle to be sure of the correct phase of the cycle, either by measuring progesterone levels 48 hours before the biopsy (>8ng/ml), or by measuring the LH peak, or by the date of ovitrelle injection. These details will need to be communicated on the report to be included with the biopsy.

If the biopsy is not performed according to the recommendations defined above, the analysis cannot be done. Therefore, we recommend performing the biopsy in a substituted cycle because nearly 3% of biopsies performed in a natural cycle cannot be analyzed because the biopsy was not done in the implantation window, which forces patients to repeat the biopsy.

It is not possible to drop off a sample at the laboratory as access is restricted to personnel and carriers.

The shipment must be made by post or specialized carriers (in the case of patients who have been cured of hepatitis B).

Please return the envelope as soon as possible (provide rapid shipping for biopsies taken outside of mainland France) so that the sample reaches us within 48 hours.

Avoid sending it on Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays or the eve of a public holiday. You can keep the biopsy in the refrigerator while waiting for shipment.

The “MatriceLAB Innove” envelope must contain:

• The box containing the small tube with the biopsy in its plastic bag
• The signed consent form
• The “MatriceLAB Innove” receptivity report
• The prescription signed by your doctor
• A copy of serology results from less than one year ago.

You will receive your results by mail within 3 weeks from the date of receipt of the biopsy, provided that payment has been made. This deadline is extended during Christmas, Easter and August holidays (information in the News section). A copy of this report with any therapeutic recommendations will be sent to your doctor. We advise you to contact your doctor for interpretation of the results and implementation of proposed therapeutic strategies.

The next IVF attempt can be considered at the earliest 2 months after the biopsy (time to obtain the results + any recommended treatment), but it should be performed within 6 months of the biopsy. The uterine immune state is likely to vary throughout life and can be influenced by many factors. Therefore, the present uterine immune profile is valid for the next 6 to 9 months in the absence of major intercurrent events (uterine surgery, pregnancy, pelvic infection). Beyond that, it will need to be updated to guide personalized attempts.

In some cases (<5%), it may happen that we cannot provide you with results because either:

• the quantity of the sample is insufficient
  the biopsy is degraded (RNA degradation) due to too long transportation time,
• improper packaging, etc.
• the biopsy was performed in the wrong phase of the cycle (proliferative or late secretory phase)

In this case, the analyses will not be invoiced. You will need to make a new appointment with your doctor to perform a new biopsy after a complete cycle has passed. This new biopsy cannot be done the following month: there must be two months between the first and second biopsy to avoid the effect of the first biopsy influencing the results of the second.