Tubal patency testing in a programme of artificial insemination with donor semen

The value of investigating tubal patency by hysterosalpingography, before artificial insemination with donor semen (AID), was studied retrospectively in 167 patients. The results suggest that unless there is a history of pelvic inflammatory disease preliminary hysterosalpinography is unnecessary. Conception rates were similar in women who had a normal hysterosalpingogram (44%), in those who had an abnormal hysterosalpingogram (46%), and in those who had no preliminary tubal investigation (39%) before AID. Life table analysis of expectancy of conception suggests that tubal patency testing should be delayed until after AID has been unsuccessful for four cycles. Laparoscopy is then the most worthwhile investigation.