Abstract

In this study, we examined the efficacy of intrauterine insemination with washed spermatozoa from the husband (AIH/IUI) in the treatment of infertility. A total of 127 treatment cycles were completed (1.95 cycles per patient). The indications for AIH/IUI were male subfertility (group I: 53 couples), cervical factor (group II: four couples), male and cervical factor (group III: six couples) and unexplained infertility (group IV: two couples). Sperm washing caused a reduction of the sperm concentration from 52 × 106/ml to 44 × 106/ml (P < 0.08) and motility from 49% to 45% (P < 0.03). Twelve pregnancies were achieved (18.5% per couple and 9.5% per cycle): eight pregnancies in group I (15.1%), one in group II (25%) and three in group III (50%). Of the 12 pregnancies, eight occurred in the first insemination cycle, three in the second and one in the third (1.4 cycles/pregnancy). Sperm motility was significantly higher in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant group (65.5% versus 4.4%, respectively; P < 0.004), whereas no significant difference was observed in the sperm concentration between these two groups (39 × 106/ml and 54 × 106/ml, respectively). In conclusion, AIH/IUI is a technically easy and non-invasive procedure which offers a satisfactory pregnancy rate in selected couples with male subfertility and/or cervical factor infertility.

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