title: Post-operative artificial insemination--does it improve GIFT outcome?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: IVF Centre, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Happy Valley.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D005260:Female; D015181:Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D014599:Uterus