[Experience with intrauterine insemination]

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) was performed on sixty eight couples with a total of 126 cycles between July 1984 and December 1986. 14 pregnancies (20.5% per couple, 11.1% per cycle) were obtained with this therapeutical approach. In 39 couples a male factor was cause of infertility. In this group six pregnancies were obtained in 71 treatment cycles (15.1% per couple, 8.4% per cycle). Sterility due to a cervical factor was treated through IUI in 18 couples during 34 cycles. Six pregnancies (33.3% per couple 17.6% per cycle) were obtained in this group. Unexplained infertility found in 11 couples was treated with IUI in 21 cycles; two pregnancies (18.2% per couple, 9.5% per cycle) were obtained. Most pregnancies in all causes of infertility were obtained in the two first insemination cycles and no pregnancy was obtained after four cycles. Active ovulation induction was performed in the majority of the cases and only one insemination was usually accomplished. The only predictive semen parameter statistically significant in terms of pregnancy in masculine factor, was the total amount of progressive spermatozoa recovered after the washing procedure. In other words, pregnancy in more probable when less spermatozoa are lost during the procedure.