EVALUATION OF INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION WITH WASHED SPERMATOZOA FROM THE HUSBAND IN THE TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY

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 x 10(6)/ml to 44 X 10(6)/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 46.4%, respectively; P < 0.004), whereas no significant difference was observed in the sperm concentration between these two groups (39 x 10(6)/ml and 54 x 10(6)/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.