The value of fallopian tube sperm perfusion in the management of mild-moderate male factor infertility

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether fallopian tube sperm perfusion (FSP) would improve pregnancy rates compared with standard intrauterine insemination (IUI) in cases of male factor infertility.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial at a university teaching hospital in Egypt, 120 couples with mild or moderate male factor infertility underwent a mild controlled ovarian stimulation protocol (clomiphene citrate plus human menopausal gonadotropin). Women were randomly allocated to group 1 (FSP via Foley catheter with 4 mL of inseminate) or group 2 (standard IUI with 0.5 mL of inseminate) (n=60 for both). The main outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate.

Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of baseline clinical characteristics, semen parameters, or characteristics of stimulation cycles. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (16 [26.7%] vs 7 [11.7%]; P<0.04). There was no significant difference in the incidence of multiple pregnancy, abortion, or ectopic pregnancy between the groups.

Conclusion: Fallopian tube sperm perfusion is an effective technique in the management of mild-moderate male factor infertility and should, therefore, be considered before resorting to more sophisticated techniques of assisted reproduction.