[A continuous-step density percoll gradient for use in AIH and life table analysis of pregnancy rates]

For use in artificial insemination with husband's semen (AIH), a continuous-step Percoll density gradient technique was used to wash and concentrate sperm from ejaculate. To evaluate usefulness, the pregnancy rates were analyzed by the life table method. 1. After washing by the continuous-step Percoll density gradient method, sperm density increased from 28.8 X 10(6)/ml (original semen) to 40.9 X 10(6)/ml and sperm motility improved from 52.4% (original semen) to 77.0% respectively. 2. A group of 119 infertile patients whose diagnosis involved oligoasthenozoospermia, cervical factor and unexplained infertility were selected for AIH. After 640 insemination cycles, 37 women conceived with a pregnancy rate of 31.1%. By using life table analysis, the cumulative conception probability rate reached 0.652 after 13 insemination cycles. 3. Cumulative pregnancy rates by diagnostic category were 0.494 in male factor and 0.745 in cervical factor after 12 cycles, respectively. 4. The poorest results were obtained in unexplained infertility with a cumulative pregnancy rate of only 0.355 after 12 cycles. 5. In the follow up study, 24 viable babies were born and seven (18.9%) resulted in spontaneous abortion in the first trimester. These results indicate that the continuous-step Percoll density gradient technique is useful for improving the pregnancy rate in AIH.