Timing intrauterine insemination either 33 or 39 hours after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin yields the same pregnancy rates as after superovulation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a short and long interval between hCG administration and IUI after superovulation for the treatment of infertility.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
University hospital-based fertility clinic.


METHODS
Patients planning superovulation and IUI for the treatment of infertility.


METHODS
Patients with >or=2 years of infertility enrolled for superovulation and IUI treatment were randomized to IUI after a short (32-34-hour) or long (38-40-hour) interval after hCG injection. Superovulation was accomplished with hMG or recombinant FSH, with dose adjustment until the maturation of two to five follicles, at which time hCG was given. Sperm was prepared with a gradient centrifugation technique, with IUI performed high up in the uterine fundus.


METHODS
Pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
Of the 348 patient cycles randomized, 270 treatment cycles were initiated. Eighty-one initiated cycles were canceled, leaving 189 completed randomized cycles from 75 patients for analysis. Pregnancy rates were not significantly different between groups. There were pregnancies in 20 of the 96 short hCG-IUI interval cycles (21%) and in 14 of the 93 long hCG-IUI interval cycles (15%) (odds ratio = 0.673, 95% confidence interval 0.297-1.518).


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy rates are the same after superovulation therapy whether IUI is done after a short or a long interval after hCG injection.
Claman
Paul
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. pclaman@ottawa.hospital.on.ca
Wilkie
Valerie
V
Collins
Denise
D
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D013480:Superovulation; D013997:Time Factors
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin