Sperm preparation and insemination on the clinical prengnacy rate of intrauterine insemination

Abstract

Introduction: The results of IUI depend on many factors including patient characteristics and the sperm preparation technique. In the sperm preparation technique, the time intervals between ejaculation and washing and time culture before insemination are adjustable and may affect the success rate of IUI.

Objective: To examine the influence of time intervals between ejaculation and sperm preparation (T0) and between sperm preparation and insemination (T2) on clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) of IUI.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at My Duc Hospital from April 2014 to July 2014. HMG or recombinant FSH was used for mild ovarian stimulation. After liquefaction, semen specimens were processed using a density gradient centrifugation method. Insemination was carried out 36-40 hours after ovulation triggering. The outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate /cycle (CPR).

Results: The total clinical pregnancy rate was 22.4% (98/437). CPR of two groups had T0≤60 mins and T0>60 mins weren’t significantly different (23.6% versus 13.7%, p=0.113). CPR of groups had T2≤15 mins, 16-60 mins and T2>60 mins weren’t different. However, in cycles with T2≤15 mins, CPR was significantly higher than cycles with T2>15 mins (28.8% versus 19.7%, p=0.036).

Conclusion: the time interval between ejaculation and sperm preparation has no influence on the clinical pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination. After preparation, sperm specimens are incubated in 37oC should be performed in the first 15 minutes to improve CPR.