A trial of superovulation in ovum donors undergoing uterine lavage

In an attempt to increase the number of fertilized ova recoverable by uterine lavage, the authors superovulated ovum donors using a combination of clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin. Six women underwent seven lavage cycles with uterine flushes performed 96, 120, 144, and 168 hours after ovulation and artificial insemination. Ova were recovered from three women between 96 and 144 hours after ovulation. However, no ova were recovered from the other three donors, two of whom were later noted to be pregnant. Retained pregnancies occurred despite postlavage administration of high-dose contraceptive pills, endometrial aspiration, and, in one case, RU 486. None of the infertile women became pregnant as a result of the trial. The authors conclude that, although superovulation may increase ovum production, without reliable contragestion, such practice is unsafe for ovum donors undergoing uterine lavage.