Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 2018
First data on in vitro fertilization and blastocyst formation after intraovarian injection of calcium gluconate-activated autologous platelet rich plasma
Platelets modulate clinically relevant yet incompletely understood tissue regeneration processes, and platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been previously used with some success in various non-reproductive medical contexts. Here, we extended PRP application to ovarian tissue with a view to document impact on ovarian reserve among women attending for infertility treatment. PRP was freshly isolated from patients (n= 4) with diminished ovarian reserve as determined by at least one prior IVF cycle canceled for poor follicular recruitment response or estimated by serum AMH and/or FSH, no menses for ≥1 year. Immediately following substrate isolation and activation with calcium gluconate, approximately 5 mL of autologous PRP was injected into each ovary under direct transvaginal sonogram guidance. For each study subject, AMH, FSH, and serum estradiol data were recorded at two-week intervals post-PRP and compared to baseline (pre-PRP) values. In this pilot group, mean (±SD) patient age was 42 ± 4 years with infertility duration reported as 60 ± 25 months. Following this protocol of intraovarian PRP administration, increases in serum AMH (p = .17), decreases in FSH (p < .01), or both, were observed in all cases, sufficient to permit retrieval of 5.3 ± 1.3 MII oocytes. IVF occurred 78 ± 22 (range = 59-110) days after activated PRP injection, and results appeared independent of patient age, infertility duration, baseline platelet concentration or pretreatment antral follicle count. Each patient had at least one blastocyst suitable for cryopreservation. While autologous PRP has been successfully applied therapeutically to various tissues to accelerate healing and wound repair, this is the first description of direct injection of activated PRP into the human ovary of poor prognosis IVF patients. Evidence of improved ovarian function was noted in all who received intraovarian PRP, possibly as early as two months after treatment. Additional research is needed to clarify (and enhance) which PRP components are responsible for altered ovarian function, and to identify predictive characteristics for patients most likely to benefit from this intervention.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) severely limits reproductive options. We report a successful live birth in a patient with POI following a combined approach of intraovarian platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, double ovarian stimulation (DuoStim protocol), and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). PRP treatment was performed to restore ovarian function, after which DuoStim was used to maximize oocyte yield. An embryo obtained underwent PGT-A, and transfer of a euploid blastocyst resulted in an uncomplicated pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child. This case highlights the potential of personalized and multidisciplinary strategies to overcome the traditional barriers in POI by integrating regenerative medicine (PRP), advanced ovarian stimulation (DuoStim), and genetic embryo selection (PGT-A). While this innovative approach appears promising for women with diminished ovarian reserve, further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.
Sanuie Farimani M et al., 2025·International journal of reproductive biomedicine
Female infertility, especially in those individuals with poor ovarian response (POR), is a challenge in the field of infertility and sterility. Recently, intra-ovarian platelet-rich plasma (IO-PRP) administration has been suggested as a possible co-treatment. This study aimed to investigate the biodemographic characteristics of individuals who experienced spontaneous pregnancy following IO-PRP. In this cross-sectional study, out of 1548 women diagnosed with POR who underwent IO-PRP, 596 individuals who completed their 2-yr follow-up period, were included. Different types of demographic and pre-intervention laboratory data (blood levels of anti-Müllerian hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, prolactin, and their spouses' sperm analysis results) were collected from the files. Each individual was classified into a certain group according to the POSEIDON criteria, and their data were compared. The results showed that 50 (8.39%) spontaneous pregnancies were observed. However, 8 were excluded from further analyses due to missing data in their critical variables. The most prevalent POSEIDON group was 4, with a prevalence of 17/42 (40.47%). Among the POSEIDON groups, covariates including the age of the individuals and their spouses, body mass index, anti-Müllerian hormone, and antral follicle/oocytes count following the latest IO-PRP significantly differed (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.039, p < 0.001, and p = 0.022, respectively). The spontaneous pregnancy rate following IO-PRP among women with POR was low. However, significant differences in biodemographic and hormonal characteristics were observed between the groups with and without spontaneous pregnancy which could be useful in leading future studies on this subject.
Nulianti R et al., 2025·International medical case reports journal
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) leads to the early loss of ovarian function before age 40, resulting in infertility and hormonal imbalance. Despite the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), success rates remain low in this population. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is emerging as a potential adjunct to enhance ovarian reserve. CASE ILLUSTRATIONCASE 1: A 25-year-old nulliparous woman with a history of ectopic pregnancy and an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level below 1 ng/mL received two PRP injections scheduled between days 7 to 12 of her cycle. After the first injection, her AMH level remained <0.5 ng/mL. Following the second PRP injection, her AMH level increased to >0.5 ng/mL. A frozen embryo transfer resulted in a successful term pregnancy and healthy newborn. CASE 2: A 36-year-old nulliparous woman, married for seven years, also presented POI and AMH levels <1 ng/mL followed the same PRP and IVF protocol. After two PRP sessions, her AMH levels improved similarly to Case 1. Despite an initial pregnancy, the patient experienced pregnancy loss. These findings suggest that PRP may improve ovarian response in women with POI undergoing IVF. Further studies are warranted.
restorative-reproductive-medicine/adjunct-and-emerging-therapies/platelet-rich-plasma-and-regenerative-approachesreproductive-endocrinology/ovarian-hormones/estrogeninfertility/ovulation-induction/gonadotropin-therapy
Open Access
Ovarian rejuvenation is an innovative procedure intended to restore ovarian fertility and development during the climacteric and has been used to enhance fertility in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). This retrospective study was conducted to determine the effects of an intraovarian platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on ovarian stimulation outcomes in women referred to an in vitro fertilisation centre. Methods- Population: This was a retrospective observational study, and the inclusion criteria included women of reproductive age with at least one ovary with a history of infertility, hormonal abnormalities, an absence of a menstrual cycle, and premature ovarian failure. During the patient's first consultation, a detailed reproductive history was recorded, a pelvic scan for ovarian size was conducted, and hormonal analysis for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol (E2), and luteinizing hormone (LH) was conducted. In the study, 469 women with a history of infertility, hormonal abnormalities, an absence of a menstrual cycle, and premature ovarian failure had hormonal levels recorded up to four months after treatment, and these were included in the study. The volume of peripheral blood required to prepare 6-8 mL of PRP for administration was 40-60 mL. The initial concentration of platelets in the peripheral blood sample was about 25000/µL, whereas the prepared PRP had a concentration of 900.000/µL. A volume of approximately 2-4 mL per ovary, depending on the ovarian volume, was used for the intraovarian injection. PRP intervention had significant effects on FSH concentration at the α = 0.05 level. Statistically significant increases in normal values of FSH and E2were observed for months three and four after the PRP intervention for all age groups. The results of our observational study revealed that a PRP intraovarian injection is associated with improved ovarian tissue and function. Future randomised clinical trials are needed to shed light on the use of PRP in ovarian rejuvenation before offering it routinely in clinical practice.