Isolated teratozoospermia and intrauterine insemination.
OBJECTIVE
This study tests the hypothesis that IUI treatment in cases with isolated teratozoospermia (<10% normal forms using strict criteria, normal motility and normal count), results in a lower cumulative live birth rate compared to cases with normozoospermia.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
An academic fertility center.


METHODS
Eight hundred seventy-two IUI cycles in 440 couples were analyzed.


METHODS
Couples (n = 440) were classified in three groups: normozoospermia (n = 213), isolated teratozoospermia (n = 104), and male factor infertility (n = 123).


METHODS
Live birth rate per cycle and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR).


RESULTS
The three groups were similar with regard to female age, female infertility factors, and ovarian response after hormonal stimulation. The overall CLBR after four cycles was 41.5%, and was significantly increased in the normozoospermic group (52.8%) when compared to the isolated teratozoospermia group (33.4%) and the male factor infertility group (31.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study documents for the first time that the CLBR after four IUI cycles is significantly and similarly reduced in couples with isolated teratozoospermia as in couples with other sperm defects, when compared to couples with normozoospermia. As with couples with male factor infertility, couples with isolated teratozoospermia should be counseled about other treatment options such as IVF, as the CLBR after three IVF cycles is 70%-80% in our program.
Spiessens
Carl
C
Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. carl.spiessens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Vanderschueren
Dirk
D
Meuleman
Christel
C
D'Hooghe
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology; D007317:Insemination, Artificial, Homologous; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities*