Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) compared with intrauterine insemination in the treatment of unexplained infertility

Abstract

Objective: To compare GIFT, intrauterine insemination (IUI) with, and without, ovarian hyperstimulation in the treatment of unexplained infertility.

Design: Women randomly allocated to one of three treatment protocols.

Setting: Northern Regional Fertility Centre.

Subjects: 59 couples with unexplained infertility of more than 3 years duration.

Interventions: Three cycles of either GIFT, IUI after ovarian hyperstimulation or IUI in a spontaneous cycle.

Main outcome measures: Pregnancy resulting in a live birth.

Results: Fecundabilities were 0.12 after GIFT, 0.018 after ovarian hyperstimulation and IUI, and 0.018 after IUI in a spontaneous cycle. The fecundability after IUI was no different from that which would be expected without treatment in these couples but fecundability was significantly better (P greater than 0.02) after GIFT.

Conclusions: This trial does not support the use of IUI in the treatment of unexplained infertility but confirms the value of GIFT.