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Infertility is a complex and emotionally challenging problem faced by many couples around the world. Despite this, modern reproductive medicine is evolving constantly, offering increasingly effective solutions that help couples to fulfil the dream of raising a family. Northway Clinic is proud to offer a new and promising option to its patients – a special environment for embryo culture and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), enriched with the cytokine GM-CSF. This innovative solution can significantly increase the likelihood of successful embryo implantation and pregnancy, especially for patients who have experienced repeated miscarriages or who have previously had unsuccessful IVF fertilisation attempts.

What is GM-CSF, how does it help to improve the effectiveness of medical fertilisation and which patient groups is this solution appropriate for? Read on.

What is GM-CSF and how is it used in infertility treatment?

GM-CSF or the Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor is a special cytokine – a protein that regulates a number of vital biological processes, including the functioning of the immune system, cell regeneration and defence. GM-CSF also performs an embryo-supportive function, namely, providing the embryo with the necessary nutrients, growth factors and an optimal environment for development.

In a normal pregnancy, GM-CSF is synthesised and secreted by the epithelial cells of the fallopian tubes and uterine lining (endometrium) after fertilisation, and is found in the fluid surrounding the embryo. It promotes embryo growth and implantation, providing it with the necessary nutrients and protection from adverse factors. However, in women who have had unsuccessful IVF attempts or spontaneous abortions, as well as in patients with certain immune system disorders, GM-CSF synthesis or functionality may be reduced, which can adversely affect the reproductive process. Therefore, scientists are investigating GM-CSF as a potentially effective addition to IVF fertilisation procedures to improve embryo viability and implantation rates. Adding GM-CSF to embryo culture media in the laboratory can help replicate the natural environment and protect cells from stress factors, creating optimal conditions for embryo development and implantation.

Advantages and expected results

According to a range of studies, the use of GM-CSF in embryo cultivation and Frozen Embryo Transfer provides several significant advantages, which can significantly improve the results of infertility treatment, increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant, and help its successful development.

1. Improved embryo viability

GM-CSF helps to create a conducive environment for embryo development by regulating the interaction between the embryo and the maternal immune system, promoting cell viability and growth, and protecting against stress factors that may occur in the laboratory. This is especially important for patients with previous failed IVF procedures, as they often have insufficient receptivity of the uterine lining or immune system disorders that can affect embryo implantation.

2. Higher probability of implantation and pregnancy

Studies show that GM-CSF positively influences embryo implantation in the uterus by improving cell interactions and strengthening the embryo’s ability to adapt to the uterine environment, as well as promoting the preparation and receptivity of the uterine lining. This ensures that the embryo receives the required nutrients, oxygen and growth factors, and helps to prepare the uterine lining to better accept and support the embryo.

3. Reduced cell damage and infection risk

GM-CSF plays an important role in regulating inflammation, helping to protect the embryo from unwanted immune system reactions that can interfere with implantation. This is especially important for patients with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome, which can complicate the implantation process and cause miscarriages. GM-CSF may also help improve the uterine microenvironment and increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy in women who have other health conditions that interfere with a normal immune response, such as inflammatory diseases or chronic infections.

4. Improved Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) effectiveness

Frozen Embryo Transfer is sometimes less successful than fresh embryo transfer, because the embryos may suffer cellular damage during the thawing process, which affects their viability and development. GM-CSF helps restore the functional stability of cells and increase their chances of survival after thawing, supporting cellular energy production and metabolic processes and protecting them from oxidative stress, which is especially important for patients undergoing IVF using the FET method.

These advantages make GM-CSF a promising adjunct to embryo culture and FET, offering new options for patients for whom standard methods do not provide the desired results.

In which cases is GM-CSF used?

The use of GM-CSF in IVF fertilisation is particularly suitable for:

  • patients with repeated implantation failures. In women with repeated unsuccessful IVF fertilisation attempts, GM-CSF can help create a more conducive environment for successful implantation and development of the embryo in the uterine lining;
  • patients with spontaneous abortions. GM-CSF can reduce inflammatory processes and help stabilise the early stages of pregnancy, which is important for women with repeated spontaneous abortions;
  • patients of higher reproductive age. In women after 35-40 years of age, the quality of embryos and implantation success often decrease. GM-CSF can improve embryo viability and increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy;
  • patients with an adverse immune response. In some women, the immune system may perceive the implanted embryo as a foreign body, making it difficult for it to attach to the uterine wall. GM-CSF helps regulate the activity of the immune system, creating a more conducive environment for successful implantation and development of the embryo;
  • patients with reduced endometrial receptivity (the ability to accept and support embryo implantation). If the uterine lining is not sufficiently prepared for implantation, GM-CSF can help improve its receptivity, increasing the chance of pregnancy;
  • patients undergoing FET. There is a risk of cell damage when thawing embryos. GM-CSF helps maintain embryo viability and improve their ability to adapt after transfer.

The inclusion of GM-CSF in embryo culture and FET procedures opens up new possibilities for couples facing infertility. Scientific studies and clinical evidence show that this method can help improve embryo quality, increase implantation success rates and promote successful pregnancy. If you are also looking for effective solutions on the way to growing your family, contact Northway Clinic and find out if GM-CSF can help you.

Sources used:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10601098/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17512774/ https://fertility.coopersurgical.com/art-scientific-edition-4-gm-csf-in-ivf-embryo-culture/ https://raf.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/raf/5/3/RAF-24-0020.xml https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7181539 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0263793