Efficacy of double intrauterine insemination in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of double IUI and to determine the optimal timing of IUI in relation to hCG administration. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Infertility Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan. PATIENT(S): Patients with male factor and unexplained infertility undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and IUI. INTERVENTION(S): After COH with clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins, patients were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: group A received a single IUI 34 hours after hCG administration, group B received a double IUI 12 hours and 34 hours after hCG administration, and group C received a double IUI 34 hours and 60 hours after hCG administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of follicles > 15 mm in diameter on the day of hCG administration, number of motile spermatozoa inseminated, clinical pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Two hundred seventy-three patients underwent 449 treatment cycles: 90 patients were treated for 156 cycles in group A, 92 patients for 144 cycles in group B, and 91 patients for 149 cycles in group C. The overall pregnancies rates for groups A, B, and C were 13 (14.4% per patient and 8.3% per cycle), 28 (30.4% per patient and 19.4% per cycle), and 10 (10.9% per patient and 6.7% per cycle), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between group B and groups A and C. CONCLUSION(S): Our data indicate that two IUIs performed 12 hours and 34 hours after hCG administration is the most cost-effective regimen for women undergoing COH cycles with clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins. Although the second insemination adds up to a slightly higher cost, it significantly increases the chance of pregnancy.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger: the way to eliminate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome--a 20-year experience

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger instead of human chorionic gonadotropin in the context of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) prevention has been used for >20 years. In its first decade it did not gain popularity because it cannot work in GnRHa-based ovarian stimulation protocols. The introduction of GnRH antagonists has revolutionized our ability to eliminate OHSS completely because patients at high risk for OHSS can be triggered with GnRHa. This has been documented in randomized prospective studies, in which none of the patients randomized to the agonist trigger arm developed OHSS. In other words, GnRHa proved to be a potent tool that, truly remarkably, never fails. Although there is some debate concerning the clinical outcome of these cycles, data so far indicate that aggressive luteal support can ensure a good outcome. Moreover, the large number of frozen embryos in these cycles results in excellent per-oocyte retrieval pregnancy rates. In summary, GnRHa ovulatory trigger is the ultimate tool for complete OHSS prevention. GnRH antagonist-based ovarian stimulation protocols should be considered in OHSS high-risk patients so GnRHa trigger can be used if needed.     

Subcutaneous human menopausal gonadotropin administration for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination cycles

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of administering human menopausal gonadotropin subcutaneously for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination. Study Design: This was a prospective nonrandomized matched-group comparison. Study patients (n = 25) undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination infertility treatment between June 1998 and March 1999 self-administered human menopausal gonadotropin subcutaneously for ovulation induction. Cycles (n = 39) were analyzed for duration of human menopausal gonadotropin treatment, total number of ampules of human menopausal gonadotropin used, peak serum estradiol level, number of mature follicles (> or =15 mm), cycle fecundity, and acceptability of the subcutaneous route of human menopausal gonadotropin administration. Age-matched historical control subjects who followed the same protocol except for the route of human menopausal gonadotropin administration, which was instead intramuscular, were used for comparison. RESULTS: Study and control cycles did not differ with respect to duration of human menopausal gonadotropin treatment (7.49 vs 8.18 d), total number of ampules of human menopausal gonadotropin used (17.44 vs 19.55), peak serum estradiol level (881 vs 769 pg/mL), number of mature follicles (>/=15 mm; 3.39 vs 2.92), or cycle fecundity rate (15.4% vs 17.9%). Two study patients were switched from subcutaneous to intramuscular administration because of minor local injection site reactions. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous human menopausal gonadotropin administration for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination treatment cycles was generally well tolerated and yielded stimulation parameters and pregnancy rates similar to those associated with the intramuscular route. Patients subjectively preferred subcutaneous human menopausal gonadotropin administration because of the ability to self-administer the injections, the use of a smaller injection needle, and reduced muscular pain at the injection site.     

Minimal endometriosis and intrauterine insemination: does controlled ovarian hyperstimulation improve pregnancy rates?

Fifty normally menstruating women staged laparoscopically as having minimal endometriosis were given an option to be treated with intrauterine insemination with or without ovarian stimulation. Twenty-five patients had unmedicated natural cycles (ie, no medication for follicular stimulation), and 25 underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. All subjects received hCG to time ovulation, followed 36 hours later with intrauterine insemination. Sixteen pregnancies, eight in each group, resulted from a total of 132 cycles. The cumulative probabilities of conception for the first, second, and third cycles were 0.13, 0.26, and 0.38 in the natural-cycles group and 0.12, 0.25, and 0.34 in the medicated-cycles group, respectively (P greater than .05). Monthly fecundity was 0.14 for the natural-cycles group and 0.13 for the medicated-cycles group (P greater than .05). We conclude that there is no difference in pregnancy rates or monthly fecundity over a 3-month period with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation as opposed to natural cycles combined with intrauterine insemination.     

超排卵对宫腔内人工授精周期妊娠率的影响

目的分析超排卵对人工授精结局的影响，探讨超排卵对不同人群治疗的有效性。方法回顾性分析我院生殖科2000年3月-2007年12月期间女方有自发排卵的739个人工授精周期，比较不孕原因、女方年龄、有无子宫内膜异位症等因素下超排卵与自然周期妊娠率。结果739个人工授精周期中，超排卵周期233个，自然周期506个，妊娠率分别为21．6％和13．5％（P〈0.05），不孕因素中，宫颈因素为378个，男性因素为100个，盆腔输卵管因素44个，子宫内膜异位症85个，不明原因132个，其中宫颈因素和不明原因不孕周期超排卵周期妊娠率明显高于自然周期（22．40％，14．62％；27．03％，12．63％ P〈0.05）；男性因素、输卵管因素、子宫内膜异位症、女方年龄大于37岁周期，超排卵与自然周期妊娠率差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。超排卵周期中，氯米芬与促性腺素周期临床妊娠率无显著差异（P〉0.05）。结论因宫颈因素、不明原因不孕行人工授精夫妇超排卵周期妊娠率高，而男性因素、子宫内膜异位症、盆腔输卵管因素或年龄大于37岁妇女进行人工授精时慎重选择排卵诱导。     

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination for treatment of infertility

Empirical therapy for subfertility using assisted reproductive technologies recently has gained popularity; however, the cost-effectiveness of these therapies, compared with an untreated control group, has not been established. Similarly, there has been no comparative cost analysis of the utility of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and IUI in the management of the same condition. Significant PRs in untreated couples with subfertility mandate the design and execution of controlled trials to ascertain the role of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and IUI in infertility therapy. Various disorders of subfertility have been treated with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and IUI. The rationale for this therapy is the increase in gamete density at the site of fertilization, as with GIFT and IVF when used for management of the same problems. The live birth rate per initiated cycle and risk of complications are similar to results recently reported for GIFT and IVF. The utility of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and IUI still remains controversial. When the relatively low direct and indirect costs of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and IUI are considered, acknowledging the lack of prospective, controlled studies, this procedure appears to be at least as cost-effective as GIFT and IVF.     

Homologous intrauterine insemination in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles: a comparison among three different regimens

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the efficacy of double intrauterine insemination (IUI) over a single periovulatory IUI in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with low-dose recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) combined with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-four infertile women were randomly assigned to three groups; in group A (38 patients, 47 cycles) a single IUI was performed 36 h after HCG administration combined with timed intercourse the day of HCG administration; within group B (43 patients, 48 cycles) IUI alone was performed 36 h after HCG administration; in group C (39 patients, 43 cycles) a double IUI 12 and 36 h after HCG administration was performed. RESULTS: The mean age and the causes of infertility were similar between the three groups. The number of follicles greater than 15 mm on the day of HCG administration and the overall dose of rFSH required per cycle was not significantly different among the groups. The pregnancy rate (PR) per cycle and per patient was 14.9% and 18.4% in group A, 10.4% and 11.6% in group B, 20.9% and 23.1% in group C, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in PR among the three groups. CONCLUSION: In rFSH/HCG cycles, two IUIs performed 12 and 36 h after HCG administration do not significantly improve pregnancy rates over a single insemination performed 36 h after HCG administration combined with or without timed intercourse the day of HCG administration.     

Abnormal sperm morphology is highly predictive of pregnancy outcome during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of a modified form of Kruger's strict criteria for sperm morphology for pregnancy outcomes after intrauterine insemination (IUI) and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in the presence of normal sperm concentration and motility. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 42 couples undergoing COH/IUI was stratified by favorable or unfavorable sperm morphology. End points were pregnancy or failure of treatment as defined by four or more cycles of COH/IUI without pregnancy. Results: An unfavorable morphology (<4%) was highly predictive of failure during COH-IUI (94.45%; 17/18). A normal PIF was a sensitive indicator of those patients who became pregnant (93.8%; 15/16) and had a fair specificity for failure to achieve pregnancy after four cycles of treatment (65.4%; 17/26). Couples with a favorable sperm morphology were 28.3 times as likely to achieve a pregnancy within four cycles of treatment as those with unfavorable sperm morphology [95% confidence limits, 3.2 to 250.5; P<0.001]. Conclusions: Abnormal strict morphologic assessment is both sensitive and specific for pregnancy outcomes in couples undergoing COH/IUI. Couples with persistently unfavorable sperm morphology should be counseled appropriately and would be better served by more aggressive treatment with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.Presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, October 7–12, 1995, Seattle, Washington.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (leuprolide acetate) induced ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a woman undergoing intermittent hemodialysis

Moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred after LA was administered to control menorrhagia in an anephric woman who required hemodialysis. We postulate that women who require dialysis may be at special risk for the development of this syndrome.     

Pregnancy rate after ovulation triggering with gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist versus human chorionic gonadotrophin in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation/intrauterine insemination

BackgroundGnRHa is as effective as hCG for ovulation triggering, apart from LH surge, FSH surge is also induced.ObjectiveTo compare triggering of ovulation by inducing endogenous LH surge (GnRHa) or using hCG in hMG stimulated cycles for intrauterine insemination (IUI).SettingProspective randomized study.Materials and methodsOut of the three hundred and eighty patients scheduled for IUI, after exclusion of 28 women, 352 were assigned to two groups: hMG/GnRHa (study group, n = 176) were assigned for receiving HP hMG followed by triggering by GnRHa and hMG/hCG (control group, n = 176) were assigned for HP hMG followed by hCG for ovulation triggering. Intrauterine insemination was done using freshly prepared semen 36 h after triggering of ovulation. Luteal phase support was done by 1500 IU hCG, 12 h after the triggering of ovulation.ResultsLH levels significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the hMG/GnRHa group than in the hMG/hCG group. No significant differences were seen between the basal LH, progesterone levels before and 8 days after triggering in both groups. The duration of the luteal phase was similar in both groups. Pregnancy rates per cycle were 17.61% for GnRHa and 13.06% for hCG respectively (p = 0.23).ConclusionsThere is no difference between GnRHa and hCG as regards pregnancy rate in women undergoing hMG stimulation for IUI cycles.     

Predictive value of mid luteal progesterone concentration before luteal support in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination

BACKGROUND: There is no published data assessing whether higher mid luteal serum progesterone (P4) levels are associated with a higher cycle pregnancy rate (CPR) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with intrauterine insemination (IUI). Aims: To assess whether the mid luteal serum P4 level is predictive of pregnancy in COH with IUI. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all women with unexplained, minimal endometriosis or mild male factor infertility who underwent COH with IUI between October 1999 and December 2000 at our department was analysed. The COH was achieved with follicle stimulating hormone injections. All cycles were triggered with human chorionic gonadotropin when at least one follicle > or =15 mm was visible on ultrasound and IUI performed the following day. A serum P4 and beta human chorionic gonadotropin level was measured at 7 and 14 days post-trigger, respectively. RESULTS: There were 33 pregnancies in the 188 cycles analysed, giving a CPR of 18%. The median (range) mid luteal P4 level for all cycles was 51 nmol/L (1.8-234). This did not differ between the pregnant (55 nmol/L) and non-pregnant (50 nmol/L) cycles (P=0.282, Mann-Whitney U-test). There was also no difference in CPR between cohorts below or above the cut-off levels of 33 nmol/L (25th percentile) (13.3 vs 18.9%; P=0.39), 51 nmol/L (50th percentile) (16.0 vs 19.1%; P=0.57), or 69 nmol/L (75th percentile) (16.3 vs 21.3%; P=0.44), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increased mid luteal serum P4 levels are not associated with a higher CPR in women undergoing COH with IUI. However, a low mid luteal P4 level < or =25 nmol/L may help predict treatment failure.