Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is used in many IVF/ICSI treatments to facilitate implantation of embryos. Researchers from Poissey Saint German Medical Center wondered if women with recurrent implantation failure shared a common form of polymorphism known as VEGF +405 G/C polymorphism.
The research group recruited 40 women for the test group and 131 women for the control group. The test group had experienced recurrent implantation failure with at least 10 transferred embryos. The control group had experienced at least one live birth in less than 10 transferred embryos. Both groups were tested for the presence of VEGF +405 G/C polymorphism via DNA screening.
Conclusion: VEGF +405 G/C polymorphism was found in about 18% of women with recurrent implantation failure. The control group tested positive 5% of the time. There is clearly a difference between the two groups. Testing for VEGF +405 G/C polymorphism may give doctors an idea regarding possible recurrent implantation failure, but positive test results would not be reason enough to stop treatment as some women with positive results achieve live birth.
Source: Boudjenah R, Molina-Gomes D, Wainer R, de Mazancourt P, Selva J, Vialard F. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) +405 G/C polymorphism and its relationship with recurrent implantation failure in women in an IVF programme with ICSI. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2012 Oct 27.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23104639