The use of gamete intra-fallopian transfer with donor spermatozoa after failed donor insemination

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) in couples who had failed to conceive by donor insemination. The study was designed as a retrospective analysis of couples who entered the GIFT programme after 12 failed cycles of donor insemination. It took place in a comprehensive reproductive clinic with large donor insemination and in-vitro fertilization/GIFT programmes. A total of 197 patients received a total of 350 treatments from 1985 until 1992. Couples entered the GIFT programme with the routine stimulation and monitoring. The only difference was that frozen spermatozoa were used for the insemination. The main outcome measure was pregnancy, defined as a positive beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (> 30 IU/l) at 16 days after replacement of gametes. The overall pregnancy rate achieved was 31% per cycle. Life table analysis showed a cumulative pregnancy rate of 75.4 +/- 5.7% after four cycles and 96.0 +/- 2.7% after eight cycles. It was concluded that the use of GIFT with donor spermatozoa is a highly effective treatment and should be offered to all couples who fail to conceive with donor insemination.