“Out-Of-Phase” Endometrium in Infertile Ghanaian Women

Abstract

To establish baseline data on “out of phase” endometrial development or luteal phase defect in Ghana, the morphology of the endometrium in 10 fertile and 87 infertile women was compared. Mid-luteal phase endometrial biopsies obtained by dilatation and curettage at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi, Ghana) were processed for light microscopical examination. Results present for the first time, baseline data on luteal phase defect in infertile Ghanaian women. In 63.2% of infertile women, the histologic appearance of endometrium was “out of phase” with their menstrual cycle. This suggests defective luteal phase development of the endometrium, which may have made it non-receptive around the peri-implantation period. In 36.8%, of infertile women studied the endometrium was morphologically “in phase” with the menstrual cycle, suggesting that their
condition was not directly the result of non-receptive uterus.

Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 122-131