title: Platelet-activating factor significantly enhances intrauterine insemination pregnancy rates in non-male factor infertility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of treating semen specimens with platelet-activating factor (PAF) before IUI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized double-blinded study of PAF treatment of sperm for patients with a history of infertility undergoing IUI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private infertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients had ovulation induction therapy with clomiphene citrate (CC) or gonadotropin, two IUIs per month with PAF treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical pregnancy rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference in IUI pregnancy rates per cycle between control (10/56; 17.9%) and PAF (14/47; 29.8%) treatment groups in the normal male study arm. There was a significant difference in cumulative IUI pregnancy rates between control (10/35; 28.6%) and PAF (14/26; 53.9%) patient groups in the normal male study arm. There was no significant difference in IUI pregnancy rates per cycle between control (12/124; 9.7%) and PAF (14/119; 11.8%) treatment groups in the male factor study arm. There was no significant difference in cumulative IUI pregnancy rates between control (12/46; 26.1%) and PAF (14/38; 36.8%) patient groups in the male factor study arm. There was a significant difference in overall cumulative IUI pregnancy rates between control (21/81; 25.9%) and PAF (27/64; 42.2%) patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The inclusion of PAF into the IUI sperm wash procedure significantly improves pregnancy rates. However, the significant improvement can only be shown to affect men presenting with normal semen parameters.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology Associates, Atlanta, Georgia 30342, USA. roudebush@rba-online.com
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Roudebush
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Hilton I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Kort
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitchell-Leef
authors.forename: Carlene W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: Joe B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Massey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D007317:Insemination, Artificial, Homologous; D008297:Male; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010972:Platelet Activating Factor