Successful pregnancy by insemination of spermatozoa in a woman with a human seminal plasma allergy: should in vitro fertilization be considered first?
OBJECTIVE
To raise the possibility that pregnancy can be obtained by assisted reproductive techniques in patients with human seminal plasma allergy.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
A woman consulted for a 3-year primary infertility. She reported lack of intercourse because of a seminal plasma allergy.


METHODS
One intrauterine insemination associated with antihistamine treatment was performed with carefully washed spermatozoa.


RESULTS
Immediately after the insemination, the patient had an allergic reaction treated by steroids. Fortunately, this single attempt led to a successful pregnancy, and the patient gave birth to a healthy girl.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancies can be obtained in patients with seminal plasma hypersensitivity by means of intrauterine insemination. However, serious complications may occur after performing intrauterine insemination, which is not a totally reliable method to prevent an allergic reaction. Thus a multidisciplinary team should follow such patients carefully and watch for the potential risks and side effects. In vitro fertilization may represent the more cautious option.
Frapsauce
Cynthia
C
Department of Histology and Biology of Reproduction, Tenon Hospital (Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris), Paris, France. c_frapsauce@yahoo.fr
Berthaut
Isabelle
I
de Larouziere
Vanina
V
d'Argent
Emmanuelle Mathieu
EM
Autegarden
Jean-Eric
JE
Elloumi
Hanene
H
Antoine
Jean-Marie
JM
Mandelbaum
Jacqueline
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012661:Semen / Q000276:immunology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*
D006633:Histamine Antagonists