The efficiency of artificial insemination by husband sperm in infertile couples according to the revised WHO 2010 criteria

Abstract

Objectives: The object of our study was to assess the efficacy, measured as achievement of pregnancy, of artificial insemination with husband sperm in couples that fulfilled the WHO criteria for infertility. Material and methods: We have identified 120 patients that were diagnosed with infertility, defined as at least one year of unprotected intercourse without achieving pregnancy. After 2 year follow up the study group comprised 96 women and their partners. All couples had normal outcome of all standard infertility test, except for some with decline in sperm parameters that allowed the husband sperm to be used for fertilization in the IUI procedure according to the 2010 WHO guidelines. After IUI procedure patients were followed either by contact with their physicians, mail questionnaire, or by identification of their national ID number in computerized database of our hospital. Results: A total of 32 patients got pregnant (33%). Of those that achieved pregnancy during the two year follow up period, fifteen (46.9%) had done so as a result of AIH, another 15 as a result of spontaneous conception, and two as a result of IVF (6.2%). The mean number of AIH procedures in a group of women that did achieve pregnancy was 3,56 (median 3.0), and was statistically higher than the number of AIH in those patients who have failed to achieve pregnancy (mean 2.54; median 2.0; p=0.009). Conclucions: Our study seems to support the new criteria for assessment of sperm parameters. Judging the sperm according to the new, lessened criteria, did produce comparable pregnancy rates as with historical cohortsbased on old criteria.