The effect of G-CSF on infertile women undergoing IVF treatment: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Evidence for the effect of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of G-CSF on infertile women undergoing IVF. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched before August 2016. Comparing the transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF and placebo or no treatment, the available studies were considered. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used in the analysis and six studies were included. Transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF was significantly associated with a higher clinical pregnancy rate versus the placebo (RR=1.563, 95%CI: 1.122, 2.176), especially for the Asian population. Among patients with a thin endometrium or repeated IVF failure, the implantation and biochemical pregnancy rates were also significantly increased in patients with the use of G-CSF (implantation rate: RR = 1.887, 95% CI: 1.256, 2.833; biochemical pregnancy rate: RR = 2.385, 95% CI: 1.414, 4.023). However, no statistical significance in increasing endometrial thickness was detected. Transvaginal perfusion of G-CSF for infertile women may play a critical role in assisting human reproduction, especially for patients with a thin endometrium or repeated IVF failure in the Asian population.

KEYWORDS:

• G-CSF
• granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
• infertility
• in vitro fertilization
• IVF

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jie Li

Took part in the formation of preliminary idea and selection of this topic and wrote the “Introduction” and “Discussion” sections: JL, SM; Wrote the “Materials and methods” and “Results” sections and participated in summarizing and systematically assessing the effect of G-CSF on IVF outcomes in infertile women: JL, YC. All authors were responsible for writing and modify the draft and final paper.