Safe conception for HIV-discordant couples: insemination with processed semen from the HIV-infected partner

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety of semen washing with intrauterine insemination (SW-IUI) for achieving pregnancy when the man is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and the woman is HIV negative.

Study design: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 635 HIV-discordant couples enrolled in a SW-IUI program and followed up 367 Italian women. We computed pregnancy, live birth, and multiple delivery rates and assessed the women's postinsemination HIV status.

Results: The retrospective analysis included 635 couples (2113 SW-IUI cycles): 41% of the women (95% confidence interval [CI], 37-45%) had a live birth (per-cycle live birth rate 13%; 95% CI, 11-14%). HIV status after SW-IUI was negative when available but unknown for 26% of the women: missing HIV status was not associated with correlates of HIV risk. The follow-up study included 367 couples (1365 cycles): 47% of the women (95% CI, 42-52%) had a live birth (per-cycle rate 14%; 95% CI, 12-16%). Ascertainment of postinsemination HIV status was complete and confirmed no HIV transmission attributable to SW-IUI. The upper 95% confidence limit of the HIV transmission rate was 1.8 per 1000 cycles in the retrospective analysis and 2.7 per 1000 cycles in the follow-up study.

Conclusion: SW-IUI appears to be a safe and effective method for achieving pregnancy in HIV-discordant couples in which the man is HIV infected.