Therapeutic donor insemination: a prospective randomized study of scheduling methods.
OBJECTIVE
To compare basal body temperature (BBT) graphs and urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) monitoring in scheduling therapeutic donor insemination.


METHODS
Participants were prospectively randomized to the BBT or LH groups.


METHODS
Participants were private patients of the Reproductive Endocrine Division at Washington University School of Medicine.


METHODS
Inclusion criteria were designed to assure an isolated male factor. Seventy-four of 113 patients completed the study; 18 had ongoing treatment at the end of the study.


METHODS
Basal body temperature graphs were physician interpreted and appointments prospectively chosen. Luteinizing hormone patients monitored daily urine samples and scheduled an appointment the day after the detected surge.


METHODS
Fecundity rates, cumulative pregnancy rates, and cost per pregnancy were all prospectively evaluated.


RESULTS
Life table analysis yielded a 6-month cumulative probability of pregnancy of 36.3% in the LH group and 65.1% in the BBT group (P less than 0.025). The total cost per pregnancy was lower in the BBT group (+6,212 versus +3,997; P less than 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This randomized prospective study demonstrates significant therapeutic and economic advantages when therapeutic donor insemination is prospectively scheduled by BBT graphs.
Odem
R R
RR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis 63110.
Durso
N M
NM
Long
C A
CA
Pineda
J A
JA
Strickler
R C
RC
Gast
M J
MJ
D001831:Body Temperature; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D007316:Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000652:urine*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone