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Effect of Autologous Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Transplantation on Endometrial Regeneration in Patients of Asherman’s Syndrome: a Pilot Study

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the transplantation of autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (AD-SVF) containing adipose stem cells (ASCs) in regenerating functional endometrium in patients with severe Asherman’s syndrome (AS). This was a prospective clinical study involving six infertile women aged 20–44 years who were diagnosed with severe AS by hysteroscopy. Autologous AD-SVF were isolated from patient’s adipose tissue obtained by liposuction and then transplanted into uterus by transcervical instillation using an embryo transfer catheter followed by estrogen hormone therapy. Endometrial growth and pregnancy outcomes were assessed after fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Of the five patients who remained in the study, two women who had amenorrhea resumed their menstruation with irregular scant bleeding. Three women with oligomenorrhea had increased menstrual amount. Before therapy, the maximum EMT measured ultrasonographically was 3.0 ± 1.0 mm (range: 1.7 to 4.4 mm), which significantly increased to 6.9 ± 2.9 mm (range: 5.2 to 12.0 mm, p = 0.043) after cell transplantation and hormone therapy. Five women had embryo transfer after therapy: one fresh and four frozen-thawed. One woman conceived but aborted spontaneously at 9-week gestation. AD-SVF is a safe and easily available cell product containing adipose-derived stem cells. Autologous transplantation of AD-SVF may regenerate damaged human endometrium and increase endometrial receptivity. Our study showed the feasibility of AD-SVF in restoring endometrial function and increasing endometrial thickness. This cell therapy may become a promising treatment for infertile women with endometrial dysfunction and needs further investigation.

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Funding

This research was supported by a grant of the Research Driven Hospital R&D project, funded by the CHA Bundang Medical Center (grant number: BDCHA R&D 2015-47).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center of CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea

    Se Yun Lee, Ji Eun Shin, Hwang Kwon, Dong Hee Choi & Ji Hyang Kim

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  1. Se Yun Lee
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Correspondence to Ji Hyang Kim.

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Lee, S.Y., Shin, J.E., Kwon, H. et al. Effect of Autologous Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Transplantation on Endometrial Regeneration in Patients of Asherman’s Syndrome: a Pilot Study. Reprod. Sci. 27, 561–568 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-019-00055-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-019-00055-y

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