Comparison of the role of cervical and intrauterine insemination techniques on the incidence of multiple pregnancy after Artificial Insemination with Donor Sperm

Purpose: Our purpose was to investigate the role of the insemination technique used in an artificial insemination program with donor sperm (AID) in multiple pregnancy rates. Methods: We carried out a retrospective nonrandom analysis of 300 pregnancies corresponding to 300 cycles in women from our Artificial Insemination Donor Sperm Program. All cycles were stimulated with gonadotropins. Single and multiple pregnancy cycles and intracervical and intrauterine pregnant cycles were compared. Results: Intracervical insemination was performed in 173 cycles (58%), and intrauterine insemination in 127 (42%). Two hundred twenty-three pregnancies were single (74%), and 77 multiple (26%). In multiple pregnancy cycles, initial dose and mean total daily dose of gonadotropins, plasma estradiol levels, and number of follicles≥14 mm were significantly higher compared to those in single pregnancy cycles. Multiple pregnancy rate was significantly higher among pregnancies after intrauterine insemination (32%) than after intracervical insemination (21%). Conclusions: The intrauterine technique of insemination in AID-stimulated cycles with gonadotropins is related to multiple pregnancy risk.     

Success of intrauterine insemination using cryopreserved donor sperm is related to the age of the woman and the number of preovulatory follicles

Objective: Our objective was to assess parameters associated with a successful outcome of intrauterine insemination (IUI) using cryopreserved donor sperm. Design: We analyzed 750 consecutive donor IUI cycles undertaken by 363 women in an assisted conception clinic. The main outcome measure was clinical pregnancy. Results: IUI was performed in 94.7% of the 750 IUI treatment cycles commenced and 180 clinical pregnancies occurred. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 26.4%. The rate was significantly related to the patient's age (30.5% for age 35 years and 18.1% for age >35 years;P<0.006) and whether there was one or more than one preovulatory follicles [20.9, 34.4, and 31.5% for one, two, and three or four follicles with a mean diameter of 14 or more mm at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration;P=0.006]. Two to four preovulatory follicles were present in 12.6% of the natural cycles, 43.6% of clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen, and 59.9% of gonadotropin stimulated cycles. The difference in the number of preovulatory follicles between stimulated and unstimulated cycles was highly significant (P<0.0001). Pregnancy rates were 29.9% in gonadotropin-stimulated cycles, 23.6% in clomiphene citrate- or tamoxifen-stimulated cycles, and 20.1% in unstimulated cycles. The difference in pregnancy rates between gonadotropin-stimulated and natural cycles was significant (P=0.038). Cycle fecundity rates were not significantly affected by the number of previous treatment cycles, duration of infertility, gravidity and parity of the patient, presence of a spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge before the administration of hCG, or number of motile sperm in the insemination specimen. Conclusions: Success of IUI using cryopreserved donor sperm is related to the age of the women and whether there is one or more than one preovulatory follicles.     

Evaluation of predictive factors for multiple pregnancies during gonadotropin/IUI treatment

Purpose: Our purpose was to analyze factors for their predictability of multiple pregnancies in patients treated with a combination of human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Methods: The records of all patients conceiving through treatment with hMG/IUI were reviewed for factors predictive of multiple pregnancy. Results: Ninety-one pregnancies reviewed included 78 singleton (86%), 8 twin (9%), and 5 higher-order pregnancies (5%). The total number of follicles >10 mm was greater in the multiple-pregnancy group and there was a decreased number of postwash sperm in the multiple-pregnancy group. Otherwise there was no significant difference in the factors analyzed. Conclusions: No factor or combination of factors predicts multiple pregnancies to a degree that it would be helpful in managing or counseling patients.     

The Antral Follicle Count Predicts the Outcome of Pregnancy in a Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation/Intrauterine Insemination Program

Purpose: Our purpose was to test whether age-related changes in antral follicle counts can predict the pregnancy outcome in the early follicular phase of a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation/intrauterine insemination (COH/IUI) program. Methods: A selected group of 107 women (36 healthy women requesting child sex preselection, 52 women with unexplained infertility, and 19 with minimal endometriosis) who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with clomiphene citrate (CC) plus human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) and subsequent intrauterine insemination were enrolled in the study. Transvaginal ultrasonography (7.0 MHz) was used to determine the total number of antral follicles (2–8 mm) in the right and left ovaries. The association among the antral follicle count, age, dominant follicle, and estradiol (E ₂ ) level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was analyzed. The association of the pregnancy rate and OHSS with the antral follicle count, dominant follicle count, and age was also examined. Results: The total antral follicle number decreased with age (P<0.0001). Dominant follicle number increased with total antral follicle number in women who received CCplus hMG/ IUI (P<0.0001). The pregnant group had a higher number of antral follicle and dominant follicles in comparison with the nonpregnant group (P<0.01 and P<0.02, respectively). The E ₂ level on the day of hCG injection increased positively with the total number of antral follicles (P<0.0001) and the total number of dominant follicles (P<0.0001). In women aged younger than 35 years, the pregnancy rate and dominant follicle number rose as the number of antral follicles increased (P<0.03 and P<0.0001, respectively). The pregnancy rate was low (2/39) in women aged older than 35 years regardless of the number of antral follicles (P<0.05) and the extent of hMG administration (P<0.02). Women aged older than 35 also produced fewer dominant follicles (P<0.001). No pregnancy was achieved in a patient with an antral follicle number of less than five (17 cases). Conclusions: Age-related changes in antral follicle count significantly predicted the dominant follicle count and the pregnancy outcome. In women with antral follicle counts of less than five or who are older than 35 years, the application of COH/IUI may not be indicated.     

Measurement of serum estradiol/progesterone ratio on the day of embryo transfer to predict clinical pregnancies in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Is this of real clinical value?

Study objectiveTo assess the value of measuring serum estradiol/progesterone (E₂/P) ratio on the day of embryo transfer (ET) in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles to predict clinical pregnancies.DesignA prospective study.SettingThe assisted reproduction unit of a large University Maternity Hospital.Materials and methodsFifty seven women consecutively treated by ICSI for male factor infertility were included in the study. Early luteal serum E₂ and P were measured on the day of ET and serum E₂/P ratios were calculated for clinical pregnancies and non-clinical pregnancy cycles.Main outcome measureClinical pregnancy rate.ResultsThirty four women failed to have clinical pregnancy (Non-clinical pregnancy group) while 23 women had clinical pregnancies (Clinical pregnancy group). There were no statistically significant differences between the two outcome groups regarding the median values for E₂ levels, P levels and E₂/P ratios (655 pmol/l, 172.5 nmol/l and 2.8 for non-clinical pregnancy cycles versus 814 pmol/l, 180 nmol/l and 2.9 for clinical pregnancy cycles, respectively). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve for E₂/P ratio was constructed to predict clinical pregnancies, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.513 (95% confidence interval, 0.377–0.648; P, 0.865) and the best cut-off value was an E₂/P ratio of 2.5 (sensitivity of 69.57%, specificity of 44.12%, positive predictive value of 45.7% and negative predictive value of 68.2%).Major conclusionsMeasurement of E₂/P ratio on the day of embryo transfer in ICSI cycles is not of clinical value to predict clinical pregnancies.     

Ovarian response to gonadotropins after laparoscopic salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether laparoscopic salpingectomy compromises ovarian response in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in vitro fertilization (IVF).MethodsIn a retrospective study in Changsha, China, data from 76 women who underwent ovarian stimulation before and after laparoscopic salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy were compared with those from 80 women who underwent 2 IVF cycles without surgical intervention between 2004 and 2009.ResultsThere were no differences in basal serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or estradiol (E₂); length of stimulation; or numbers of follicles, retrieved and fertilized oocytes, or high-quality embryos between the cycles before and after salpingectomy; however, initial and total doses of gonadotropins were significantly increased after surgery (P < 0.05). IVF parameters were also comparable between the 2 cycles among women without surgical intervention, except for a significant increase in initial and total doses of gonadotropins at the second cycle (P < 0.05). IVF parameters did not differ between the cycle subsequent to salpingectomy and the second cycle in women without surgical intervention. There were no significant differences between patients with unilateral and those with bilateral salpingectomy, nor between the operated and non-operated ovary in the same individual.ConclusionLaparoscopic salpingectomy had no detrimental effect on ovarian response during IVF–embryo transfer treatment.     

Assessing the risk of multiple gestation in gonadotropin intrauterine insemination cycles

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze factors for their ability to predict multiple gestation in women who undergo controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone/human menopausal gonadotropin) and intrauterine insemination. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical and laboratory variables that are associated with multiple gestation. Data for 6 variables in 678 cycles of gonadotropin/intrauterine insemination between 1990 and 1999 were analyzed with survival analysis, Cox regression analysis, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 99 clinical pregnancies among 678 cycles (14.6% per cycle) in 306 women. Of the 14 women with multiple gestations (14.1% of pregnancies), 11 women had twins, 2 women had triplets, and 1 woman had quadruplets. Age, days of gonadotropin treatment, total dose of gonadotropin, and number of follicles that were >or=15 mm at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin administration were statistically significant predictors of multiple gestation in >or=1 of the statistical models. CONCLUSION: The risk of multiple gestation with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation/intrauterine insemination in this study was relatively low. In addition to age, several controllable variables that are associated with multiple gestation were identified.     

Individual implantation rate: proposal for a new index for evaluation of assisted reproduction results

Objective: To assess whether implantation in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles is a random event.Design: Retrospective analysis of results.Setting: Division for Reproductive Endocrinology and ART, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.Patient(s): A cohort of all cycles reaching ET from July 1, 1995, through June 30, 1996, and a cohort of all pregnancies recorded from January 1, 1995, through October 31, 1996.Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): Rate of multifetal pregnancy in relation to overall pregnancy rate. The number of gestational sacs observed by sonography, out of transferred embryos in conception cycles, was defined as the individual implantation rate.Result(s): Of 367 ETs, 75 (20.4%) yielded pregnancies, of which 31 (41%) were multifetal. Considering the mean number of embryos transferred (3.67), if implantation would have been random, multifetal gestation rate should have been only 14.8%, significantly less than the observed rate. In 110 pregnancies recorded between January 1995 and October 1996, individual implantation rate was 49.4% ± 27.1% in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles compared with 40.5% ± 20.4% in IVF cycles.Conclusion(s): Embryo implantation is not a random event. The index of individual implantation rate may help shed light on mechanisms underlying implantation.     

Low Multiple Pregnancy Rates and Reduced Frequency of Cancellation After Ovulation Induction with Gonadotropins, If Eventual Supernumerary Follicles Are Aspirated to Prevent Polyovulation

Purpose: Our purpose was to demonstrate the feasibility of the routine aspiration of supernumerary follicles in infertile patients with imminent polyovulation after ovulation induction with gonadotropins and to examine its effect on the frequency of cycle cancellation and on the (multiple) pregnancy rate. Methods: The data on 796 treatment cycles, performed between 1989 and 1996 on 410 infertile couples, were analyzed retrospectively. From October 1992, whenever necessary, supernumerary ovarian follicles were selectively aspirated transvaginally under ultrasound guidance to prevent the ovulation of more than three follicles. Thereafter, intrauterine insemination was performed. Results: After the adoption of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of supernumerary follicles into the treatment protocol in October 1992, the number of canceled cycles (P < 0.0001) and the multiple pregnancy rate (P < 0.01) were significantly reduced compared to those previously. The overall pregnancy rate remained stable. No ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome requiring hospitalization was noted, and no complications resulting from the follicle aspiration were registered. Conclusions: Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of supernumerary ovarian follicles increases both the efficacy and the safety of ovulation induction with gonadotropins. Because of the limited equipment required, this method represents an alternative for conversion of overstimulated cycles to more costly alternatives such as in vitro fertilization.     

Is intrauterine insemination a viable treatment option for women over 43 years old? An analysis by ovarian stimulation protocol and sperm source

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine how female age at the end of the reproductive spectrum effects success of natural cycle intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IUI in combination with ovarian stimulation.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of women 43 years of age and older at the time of IUI in a single academic fertility center between January 2011 and March 2018. Primary outcomes were both pregnancies and live births per cycle of IUI. Data are presented as percentage or mean ± SD. Fisher exact and chi-squared analyses were performed.ResultsThere were 9334 IUI cycles conducted during the study period. Of these cycles, 325 IUIs (3.5%) were for women aged 43 years and over at the time of insemination (43.6 ± 0.8, range 43 to 47 years). Analysis of these 325 IUI cycles revealed 5 biochemical pregnancies (1.5%) and only 1 live birth (0.3%). The pregnancy rate did not differ between IUIs using donor sperm (N = 1/49, 2.0%) compared to IUIs with partner sperm (N = 4/276, 1.4%). The pregnancy rate did not differ between IUIs with gonadotropins (N = 2/211, 0.9%), clomiphene or letrozole (N = 2/78, 2.6%), or natural cycle (N = 1/36, 2.8%).ConclusionsThe use of intrauterine inseminations in women 43 years of age and older is an ineffective treatment strategy. This is irrespective of the use of ovarian stimulation or donor sperm. Costly gonadotropin injections did not increase the chance of pregnancy nor did oral medication when compared to natural cycle IUIs.     

Ovarian stimulation length,number of follicles higher than 17 mm and estradiol on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration are risk factors for multiple pregnancy in intrauterine insemination

Aim  The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors, their prognostic value on multiple pregnancies (MP) prediction and their thresholds in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperStimulation (COH) with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Methods  A case-control study was carried out by identifying in our database all the pregnancies reached by donor and conjugal IUI (DIUI and CIUI, respectively), and compared cycle features, patients’ characteristics and sperm analysis results between women achieving single pregnancy (SP) versus MP. The number of gestational sacs, follicular sizes and estradiol levels on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration day, COH length and semen parameters were obtained from each cycle and compared. Student’st-tests for mean comparisons, receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis to determine the predictive value of each parameter on MP achievement and multiple regression analysis to determine single parameter influence were carried out. Results  Women with MP in IUI stimulated cycles reached the adequate size of the dominant follicle (17 mm) significantly earlier than those achieving SP. Also, the mean follicles number, and estradiol levels on the hCG day were higher in the CIUI and DIUI MP group. Nevertheless, only ROC curve analysis revealed good prognostic value for estradiol and follicles higher than 17 mm. Multiple regression analysis confirmed these results. No feature of the basic sperm analysis, either in the ejaculate or in the prepared sample, was different or predictive of MP. When using donor sperm, different thresholds of follicle number, stimulation length and estradiol in the prediction of MP were noted, in comparison with QUI. Conclusions  MP in stimulated IUI cycles are closely associated to stimulation length, number of developed follicles higher than 17 mm on the day of hCG administration and estradiol levels. Also, estradiol has a good predictive value over MP in IUI stimulated cycles. The establishment of clinical thresholds will certainly help in the management of these couples to avoid undesired multiple pregnancies by canceling cycles or converting them intoin vitro fertilization procedures.     

Follicle stimulating hormone levels on cycle day 3 predict ovulation stimulation response

Aim To determine the value of basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E₂) levels on cycle day 3 in predicting the ovulation stimulation response in patients receiving exogenous gonadotropins for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT).Methods One hundred eleven consecutive females with infertility due to various etiologies were investigated. Cycle day 3 serum levels of FSH, LH, and E₂ were determined prior to ovulation induction with a combination of clomiphene citrate and human gonadotropins. Follicular growth was monitored ultrasonically, and when appropriate, oocytes were recruited, counted, graded, and then used, as prearranged, for either IVF or GIFT. Basal hormone levels were compared to the peak E₂ concentration, the number of follicles aspirated, and the number of preovulatory oocytes recovered following drug therapy. Details of resulting pregnancies were also recorded.Results Patients with low basal FSH levels (<11.5 mIu/ml) yielded a higher mean number of preovulatory oocytes than those with high values (>11.5 mIu/ml), i.e., 6.7 oocytes per cycle vs 2.5 oocytes (P < 0.001). In the low group 97% of cycles yielded more than three fertilizable oocytes compared to 42% in the high group (P < 0.5). There were 16 term pregnancies (16%) in the low group and 1 (8.3%) in the high group. Basal LH and E₂ levels did not improve on the ability to distinguish between different populations of infertile females who responded differently to ovulation induction.Conclusion Cycle day 3 FSH levels are predictive of the ovulation response and probability of pregnancy in stimulated cycles and can be of value in patient selection and counseling in IVF and GIFT programs.     

Análisis de los factores de influencia sobre el resultado de 500 ciclos de inseminación intrauterina homóloga

Objective

To evaluate the results and analyse different factors influencing pregnancy rate using homologous intrauterine insemination.

Subjects and methods

Retrospective analysis of 500 homologous intrauterine insemination cycles in 183 infertile couples. Only one insemination per stimulated ovarian cycle was performed in patients with: mild endometriosis, ovulatory factor, male subfertility or unexplained infertility. We studied female age, duration of infertility, stimulation protocol, number of cycle, number of preovulatory follicles, motile sperm count and endometrial thickness related to pregnancy rate.

Results

Pregnancy rate per couple was 24% and per intrauterine insemination 9%, 11% was multiple pregnancies. Best outcome has been got in women younger than 37 years (P=.048) and in cycles with more than one preovulatory follicle. Other studied factors did not have influence in homologous intrauterine insemination outcome.

Conclusions

Female age is a prognostic factor for homologous intrauterine insemination with poor outcome in women older than 38 years. Cycles with more than one preovolatory follicle have better outcome. No differences in pregnancy rate have been achieved with motile sperm count over 1.5 millions/0.3 ml.     

Efficacy of microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in obstructive azoospermia

Purpose: Our purpose was to test whether micromanipulation using subzonal insemination and intracytoplasmic sperm injection could improve the poor fertilization and pregnancy rates obtained when attempting in vitro fertilization in patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens and unreconstructable obstructive azoospermia with microsurgically retrieved epididymal spermatozoa. Results: Conventional in vitro fertilization (group A; 14 cycles), subzonal insemination (group B; 13 cycles), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (group C; 28 cycles) were carried out in 55 treatment cycles. Fertilization rates for groups A, B, and C were 16.1, 31.4, and 48.6%, respectively (P<0.05). Clinical pregnancy rates for groups A, B, and C were 7.1, 7.7, and 32.1% (P<0.05), respectively. In five cycles, intracytoplasmic sperm injection using epididymal sperm from alloplastic spermatoceles was performed and two clinical pregnancies (40%) were obtained. Conclusions: The combined microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration and intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedure is highly effective in improving the fertilization and pregnancy rate in congenital absence of the vas deferens and unreconstructable obstructive azoospermia. Furthermore, alloplastic spermatoceles may be useful for repeat sperm aspirations.Presented in part at the IXth World Congress on In Vitro Fertilization and Alternate Assisted Reproduction, Vienna, Austria, April 3–7, 1995.     

Multiple pregnancies conceived with intrauterine insemination during superovulation: an evaluation of clinical characteristics and monitored parameters of conception cycles

The use of human menopausal gonadotropins to induce superovulation in conjunction with intrauterine insemination as treatment for infertility is associated with an increased incidence of multiple gestation. Identification of clinical characteristics and/or monitored parameters of the stimulation cycles highly associated with multiple gestation would enable cancellation of these cycles. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical profiles and conception cycle characteristics of 48 infertile women undergoing the induction of superovulation and intrauterine insemination. We compared 14 of these women who conceived multiple gestations (eight twins and six triplets) with 34 who conceived singleton gestations. We found no differences between the groups in age, parity, cause or duration of infertility, duration or amount of human menopausal gonadotropin administration, serum estradiol concentrations on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection, number of preovulatory-sized follicles, or number of motile sperm inseminated. We conclude that neither the patients' clinical characteristics nor the parameters evaluated in monitoring human menopausal gonadotropin cycles provide information helpful in predicting which superovulation cycles will result in multiple pregnancy.     

Heat-Induced Hyperactivation

Purpose: The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the sperm hyperactivation and related kinematic parameters at 40°C after using four sperm wash procedures and (2) to correlate the heat-induced hyperactivation data with cases of clinical pregnancies from either artificial insemination or standard in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Semen samples (n = 51) were collected by ejaculation, and semen analyses were carried out to determine the pretreatment data. Sperm kinematic measurements were performed using the Hamilton Thorn HTM-C computer-aided sperm analyzer. Hyperactivation was determined using the sort module on the HTM-C. Membrane integrity was assessed using the hypoosmotic sperm swelling procedure. Sperm morphology and acrosomal status were also determined using the Spermac stain. Each semen specimen was divided and processed through either the swim-up wash, the 1-h test-yolk buffer (TYB) wash, the 1 mg/ml pentoxifylline stimulant procedure, or the two-layer 90:47% gradient colloidal solution procedure. The washed sperm were incubated at 25 or at 40° C for 4 hr. After incubation, kinematic parameters were assessed for the posttreatment data. Semen specimens were obtained on different occasions for artificial insemination or standard IVF. Data from intracytoplasmic sperm injection cases were not included to avoid confounding factors. Live births and/or pregnancies with fetal heartbeat examined by ultrasound were considered clinical pregnancies. Results: Heat-induced hyperactive motility was significantly higher in sperm of the male partner of pregnant (n = 7) patients compared with nonpregnant (n = 44) patients (mean ± SE, 10.0 ± 3.3 versus 5.5 ± 0.8%) after TYB processing fallowed by 4 hr of incubation at 40°C. This was also observed after colloid (Percoll) processing (11.6 ± 4.6 versus 5.8 ± 0.8%). There were no differences in hyperactivation after 4 hr at 23°C between pregnant and nonpregnant cases. Parameters such as count, volume, motility, viability, and acrosomal status were not different for the groups. However, the percentage of sperm with normal morphology (WHO classification) was twice as high in the pregnant group versus the nonpregnant group. Conclusions: Heat-induced hyperactivation was associated with fertile sperm and was predictive of pregnancy obtained after artificial insemination or IVF. The association was evident only after TYB or Percoll sperm processing. The study could not confirm the finding of significant decreases in motility after heat treatment of sperm derived from infertile males. The mechanism for heat-induced hyperactivation did not involve membrane integrity or the sperm acrosome, although an involvement of heat shock proteins was postulated. Interestingly, there were no pregnancies when sperm did not exhibit heat-induced hyperactivation.     

Intrauterine insemination as treatment for antisperm antibodies in the female

Ninety-one women with long-standing infertility in the presence of humoral antisperm antibodies (ASA) underwent 473 cycles of intrauterine insemination of washed sperm (IUI), resulting in 26 pregnancies. Nine pregnancies were achieved in 67 women who underwent 285 IUI during unstimulated cycles (13% pregnancy rate; 3% pregnancy/cycles of treatment). Twenty women underwent 86 IUI after clomiphene citrate (CC) stimulation, resulting in 6 pregnancies (30%; 7% per cycle), while 28 underwent 102 cycles of IUI after human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) stimulation, resulting in 11 pregnancies (39%; 11% per cycle). Twenty-one of the 26 pregnancies (81%) were achieved in the first 2 IUI cycles. During unstimulated and CC IUI cycles, all pregnancies occurred in the first two cycles of treatment, while with hMG stimulation pregnancies also occurred in the third, fourth, and fifth IUI cycles. Nine of these 91 women subsequently conceived spontaneously, and three others conceived through in vitro fertilization. Only 6 of the 38 pregnancies resulted in spontaneous abortion (16%). Thus, pregnancies achieved in women with ASA have no increased risk of abortion.     

Predictors of twin pregnancy after ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination in women with unexplained infertility

Multi-foetal gestation is a well-known, adverse outcome of infertility treatment. Maternal and obstetrical complications are more frequent in multiple pregnancies compared to singletons. The aim of this study was to determine parameters that affect the risk for multiple pregnancies after ovarian stimulation (OS) with intrauterine insemination (IUI). We retrospectively evaluated all cases of OS with IUI cycles that ended with successful clinical pregnancy. A total of 259 pregnancies were analysed (175 singletons, 63 twins and 21 triplets). Significant parameters predicting multiple pregnancies were gravidity and number of follicles at least 15?mm in diameter on day of hCG. A previous pregnancy increased the risk for multiple gestation by a factor of 1.86 (95% CI 1.03–3.37, p?=?0.04). Each follicle ≥15?mm increased the odds ratio for multiple gestation by 1.3 (95% CI 1.03–1.65, p?=?0.027). In conclusion, women with more than one previous pregnancy and three or more than three follicles ≥15?mm at hCG are at risk for multi-foetal pregnancy after OS and IUI.     

Comparison of the response to ovarian stimulation between women with one ovary and those with two ovaries,in a program of ICSI/ET

BACKGROUND: Women with a single ovary form a group of special interest in assisted reproduction. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles between women with one and two ovaries. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with women with a single ovary. METHODS: Sixty-three intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in 24 women with a single ovary were compared with 191 intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in 109 women with both ovaries. All cycles were stimulated with triptorelin-long protocol. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the following parameters between women with a single ovary and women with two ovaries: total number of administrated gonadotropins (63.22 +/- 45.03 vs. 44.72 +/- 21.92), number of follicles (8.29 +/- 5.02 vs. 14.45 +/- 7.94), estradiol peak levels (1695.05 +/- 1177.34 vs. 2728.51 +/- 1852.67), number of retrieved metaphase II oocytes (6.95 +/- 3.78 vs. 11.72 +/- 6.11) and number of 2 PN oocytes (4.07 +/- 2.85 vs. 6.53 +/- 4.14). There were no differences in duration of stimulation, number of transferred embryos, and cumulative embryo score. In the group of women with a single ovary 14 pregnancies were achieved (22.2%), whereas 33 pregnancies were achieved in the group of women with two ovaries (17.28%). CONCLUSIONS: Women with a single ovary have a decreased response to external ovarian stimulation than women with both ovaries, but they present a higher, although not statistically significant, pregnancy rate.     

Superovulation with buserelin and gonadotropins dramatically improves the success rate of intrauterine insemination with husband's washed semen

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of intrauterine insemination with husband's washed semen during stimulated cycles using a combined treatment of GnRH agonist (buserelin) and gonadotropins. 47 infertile couples were studied; 25 couples were treated with buserelin and gonadotropins (study group) and 22 (control group) received clomiphene citrate alone. Indications for treatment, in both groups, were male subfertility, cervical factor or unexplained infertility. For sperm preparation, the same swim up technique in both groups was used. In the study group, 15 pregnancies were achieved (pregnancy rate: 60%) whereas only 5 pregnancies were achieved in the control group (pregnancy rate: 22.7%) (p less than 0.01). The pregnancy rate per cycle was 17.6 and 4.8 respectively (p less than 0.01). The mean number of follicles per cycle (+/- SEM) was 3.6 +/- 0.2 and 1.7 +/- 0.07, respectively (p less than 0.0005). Comparing successful and unsuccessful cycles a difference was observed only among the levels of 17 beta E2, both per cycle and per follicle/cycle (1075 +/- 165.4 vs 721 +/- 57.6 and 319.8 +/- 42.6 vs 219.9 +/- 17.8; p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.0005 respectively). The authors conclude that intrauterine insemination with washed sperm during stimulated superovulatory cycles is a successful mode of therapy in all couples with infertility not associated with anatomic damage of the adnexa or with chronic anovulation.