Expression of H19 imprinted gene in patients with repeated implantation failure during the window of implantation.

PURPOSE: To detect the expression level of imprinted gene H19 in the endometrium of patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) who were undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or frozen embryo transfer (FET).

METHODS: Patients who underwent IVF/FET in Reproductive Medicine Center of Xiangya Hospital during April 1, 2015 to October 31, 2015 were chosen. The endometrium was collected from patients with repeated implantation failure during mid-luteal phase. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to determine the expression of H19 lncRNA and integrin β3 protein. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0.

RESULTS: When compared with the control group, decreased expression of H19 was detected in the RIF group (P = 0.04). The expression of integrin β3 protein was also decreased in the RIF group compared to that in the control group (P = 0.04). The expression of H19 lncRNA was positively correlated with the expression of integrin β3 protein (R = 0.477, P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS: The expression of H19 lncRNA and integrin β3 protein were down-regulated in the RIF patients.