Post-operative artificial insemination--does it improve GIFT outcome?

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 5; no. 2; p. 189
• Main Authors: Tucker, M J, Wong, C J, Chan, Y M, Leong, M K, Leung, C K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-1990
• Subjects: Abortion, Spontaneous; Cervix Uteri; Female; Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer; Humans; Insemination, Artificial - methods; Postoperative Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Pregnancy, Multiple; Uterus
• ISSN: 0268-1161
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137067

Based on a retrospective study of our gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) programme we have analysed 102 cycles where a standard GIFT procedure was implemented and 92 cycles where a post-operative intrauterine and intracervical insemination (post-operative IUI/ICI) was performed, in addition to GIFT. Our comparison suggests that the pregnancy outcome has been significantly improved (P less than 0.05) by this additional post-operative IUI/ICI. The standard GIFT group (102 cycles) yielded 38 clinical pregnancies and, ultimately, 29 delivered pregnancies (37.2/28.4%), whilst the post-operative IUI/ICI group (92 cycles) gave 48 clinical pregnancies initially and, currently, 38 pregnancies are ongoing or delivered (52.2/41.3%). The possible implications of the 'normal' presence of spermatozoa in the human female tract as an explanation for this improvement is discussed, and the adoption of IUI/ICI after GIFT is proposed, following a prospective controlled study.