The Role of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Endometrial Preparation for Embryo Implantation in In Vitro Fertilization
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been suggested as a supplementary approach for endometrial preparation in IVF. Clinical results continue to be inconsistent. This narrative review synthesises molecular and clinical information to elucidate the function of G-CSF in modifying endometrial receptivity and to identify patient categories most likely to benefit. A thorough assessment was conducted on published research on G-CSF administration in women with treatment-resistant thin endometrium, recurrent implantation failure, and unselected IVF populations. The research demonstrates that G-CSF has phenotype-dependent effects. Improvements in pregnancy and live birth rates are inconsistent and seem dependent on the reversibility of underlying tissue disease; nevertheless, G-CSF reliably increases endometrial thickness in instances of thin endometrium and may restore eligibility for transfer. G-CSF improves implantation and early pregnancy outcomes in repeated implantation failure patients without modifying endometrial morphology, indicating a functional mechanism linked to immune-stromal synchronisation rather than structural expansion. In contrast, randomised controlled studies show no therapeutic benefit in unselected IVF groups. Discrepancies in research outcomes may mostly be attributed to variations in patient phenotype, initial endometrial function, and the therapy setting. Thus, G-CSF should be considered a specific approach for endometrial conditioning rather than just a supplementary component of IVF.
Authors
- Athanasios Karpouzos
- Fotios Chatzinikolaou
- Ioannis Papapanagiotou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9723-5054)
- Nikolaos Thomakos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0962-3549)
- Aristotelis-Marios Koulakmanidis
- Charalampos Voros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9477-7619)
- Ioakeim Sapantzoglou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7760-0608)
- Vasiliki Kanaka
- Kyriakos Bananis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7563-4305)
- Maria Anastasia Daskalaki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6377-8379)
- N. Kanakas
- Aikaterini Athanasiou
- Antonia Athanasiou
- Diamantis Athanasiou
- Charalampos Tsimpoukelis
- Dimitrios Loutradis
- Vaitsis Dimitrios
- Marianna Theodora
- Georgios Papadimas
- Panagiotis Antsaklis
- Georgios Daskalakis
Institutions
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
- European University Cyprus (CY)
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (GR)
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Alexandra Hospital (GR)
- Center for Human Reproduction (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Life
- Published
- 2026-02-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/life16020351
- Primary Topic
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00