The significance of dating an endometrial biopsy for the prognosis of the infertile couple.

Two hundred and thirty-two women with primary or secondary infertility were divided into four groups according to their endometrial biopsy result: 114 (49%) with no delay of the secretory phase, 36 (16%) with a secretory phase with a delay of 2 days, 26 (11%) with a secretory delay of 3 days or more, and 56 (24%) with an endometrium which could not be dated because of inadequate material. The cumulative pregnancy rate of all patients was 53% within 2 years and the pregnancy rates of the four groups did not differ significantly. In our department the histological dating of an endometrial biopsy as part of the initial investigation of the infertile couple is not worthwhile.