Post-operative artificial insemination--does it improve GIFT outcome?
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.
Tucker
M J
MJ
IVF Centre, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Happy Valley.
Wong
C J
CJ
Chan
Y M
YM
Leong
M K
MK
Leung
C K
CK
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