KARYOTYPE
This is a study of the number and the structure of the chromosomes present in the nuclei of cells. It involves extraction of blood.
Each cell of the body should have a total of 46 chromosomes, organised into 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of allosomes, which determine gender. The only cells of the body that contain half the chromosomes (23) are eggs and spermatozoa, because when they join to form the embryo, together they add up to a total of 46 chromosomes.
An alteration in a patient’s karyotype increases the risk of gametes (eggs) with an anomalous genetic load. This increases the production of embryos with genetic problems and prompts cases of sterility or recurrent miscarriages.
HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAPHY
This technique is used to evaluate Fallopian tube permeability.
It involves injecting a radio-opaque material into the cervical canal while taking serial X-rays to observe how it flows through the uterine cavity, from the Fallopian tubes to the abdominal cavity.
This study allows for the diagnosis, for example, of uterine pathologies (malformations, synechaie or adhesions, tumour masses), tubal pathologies (obstructions, stenosis, polyps, hydrosalpinx) and peritoneal adhesions.
Whenever the Fallopian tubes are affected, the first-choice treatment is in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
LAPAROSCOPY
This technique is used to observe the interior of the abdominal cavity using fibre optic cables that are inserted through the abdomen. This surgery involves a general anaesthetic and admission to hospital for a few hours, even though it is a minimally invasive technique.
This surgical technique offers a direct view of the external surface of the uterus, the ovaries, the pelvic cavity and the Fallopian tubes, which may be moved using special forceps, and to detect the existence of adhesions that are preventing them from moving. It also allows for evaluation of their permeability using a positive contrast medium.
Its use is limited to cases involving factors of risk and in which hysterosalpingography is not conclusive.
In some cases, the examination may also be used to treat and to repair some pathologies observed.
HYSTEROSCOPY
This technique is used to evaluate the uterine cavity and the endometrium.
It entails introducing a fibre optic cable into the uterine cavity through the cervical canal to yield a direct view of the endometrial lining and allows for diagnosis of any anomaly in the walls of the uterine cavity such as polyps, myomata, synechaie, etc.
ENDOMETRIAL RECEPTIVITY ARRAY (ERA)
The endometrium is receptive when it is ready for embryo implantation to occur. This usually takes place around day 21 of all the menstrual cycles of a fertile woman.
An ERA involves molecular-level evaluation of the status of endometrial receptivity. This molecular tool makes it possible to diagnose whether or not there is a receptive endometrium through analysis of the expression of a group of genes responsible for this function. This requires the performance of an endometrial biopsy, usually on an outpatient basis, as it does not require sedation.