The gradient technique improves success rates in intrauterine insemination cycles / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the efficacy of gradient and swim-up semen preparation techniques on pregnancy rates in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles with human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) stimulation. Methods Five hundred and seventy one cycles were devided into the swim up or the gradient technique groups for sperm preperation. The clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were evaluated. Results The clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were significantly higher in the gradient group (17.8%) than that in the swim up group (11.4%)(P < 0.05). In the subgroup of unexplained subfertile couples, the gradient group also revealed significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates per cycle (33.7%) than that in the swim up group (20.3%)(P<0.05). In couples with mild male factor subfertility, the gradient group also revealed significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates per cycle (11.6%) than that in the swim up group (7.6%)(P < 0.05). Conclusion The gradient technique significantly improves clinical outcome in IUI cycles of unexplained subfertile and male subfertile couples.