Improvement of Pregnancy Rate and Live Birth Rate in Poor Ovarian Responders by Intraovarian Administration of Autologous Menstrual Blood Derived- Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Phase I/II Clinical Trial

The study was aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cell therapy using autologous menstrual blood derived- mesenchymal stromal cells (Men-MSCs) in fertility potential of poor ovarian responders (PORs). POR women were divided into mesenchymal stroma cell (MSC) therapy (n = 15) and routine ICSI (n = 16) groups. The cultured Men-MSCs were autologously injected into left ovary of MSC group after approval by flow cytometry, karyotyping, endotoxin, sterility and mycoplasma tests. Changes in anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), antral follicles count (AFC), oocytes and embryos number, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were followed in both groups up to one year after treatment. 4 of 15 participants in MSC group got naturally pregnant during 3 months after cell administration, in contrast to no natural conception in control group (P = 0.04). The mean AMH level did not significantly differ with that of previous cycle or control group. Although mean AFC and oocytes number in MSC group did not indicate considerable difference with those of control group, raise of these parameters in comparison with previous cycle was significant (both P = 0.01). Nonetheless, oocyte fertilization rate and embryo number in MSC group were higher than control group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.008, respectively). Altogether, 7 of 15 women in MSC group and 2 of 16 women in routine ICSI group had clinical pregnancy that resulted in 5 live births in main group and one birth in control group. In conclusion, cell therapy using Men-MSCs could be considered as a potential treatment to restore fertility capability of POR women. The trial registration number (TRN): IRCT20180619040147N2. Date of registration: 2018-08-21.