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A narrative review of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in reproductive medicine

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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a novel treatment in various aspects of medicine including orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, and diabetic wound healing. PRP is now starting to become an area of interest in reproductive medicine more specifically focusing on infertility. Poor ovarian reserve, menopause, premature ovarian failure, and thin endometrium have been the main areas of research. The aim of this article is to review the existing literature on the effects of autologous PRP in reproductive medicine providing a summation of the current studies and assessing the need for additional research.

Methods

A literature search is performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Plus to identify studies focusing on the use of PRP therapy in reproductive medicine. Articles were divided into 3 categories: PRP in thin lining, PRP in poor ovarian reserve, and PRP in recurrent implantation failure.

Results

In women with thin endometrium, the literature shows an increase in endometrial thickness and increase in chemical and clinical pregnancy rates following autologous PRP therapy. In women with poor ovarian reserve, autologous intraovarian PRP therapy increased anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), with a trend toward increasing clinical and live birth rates. This trend was also noted in women with recurrent implantation failure.

Conclusions

Limited literature shows promise in increasing endometrial thickness, increasing AMH, and decreasing FSH levels, as well as increasing chemical and clinical pregnancy rates. The lack of standardization of PRP preparation along with the lack of large randomized controlled trials needs to be addressed in future studies. Until definitive large RCTs are available, PRP use should be considered experimental.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine, 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Suite 100, Reston, VA, 20190, USA

    Fady I. Sharara & Sara Rahman

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Fady I. Sharara & Gaby N. Moawad

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Central Florida–HCA Consortium, Orlando, FL, USA

    Latashia-Lika Lelea

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Main Line Health Wynnewood, Wynnewood, PA, USA

    Jordan S. Klebanoff

  5. The Center for Endometriosis and Advanced Pelvic Surgery, Washington, DC, USA

    Gaby N. Moawad

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  1. Fady I. Sharara
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  2. Latashia-Lika Lelea
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  3. Sara Rahman
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  4. Jordan S. Klebanoff
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  5. Gaby N. Moawad
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Correspondence to Fady I. Sharara.

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Sharara, F.I., Lelea, LL., Rahman, S. et al. A narrative review of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in reproductive medicine. J Assist Reprod Genet 38, 1003–1012 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-021-02146-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-021-02146-9

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