Sperm morphology analysis (strict criteria) in male infertility is not a prognostic factor in intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of strict sperm morphology analysis in intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm (IUI) cycles performed because of male infertility.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Academic tertiary hospital.

Patients: Seventy-four consecutive couples subjected to 271 IUI cycles because of male infertility.

Main outcome measure: Strict morphology analysis 1 month before the beginning of IUI following the criteria of Kruger et al.

Results: Pregnancy and no pregnancy couples were similar regarding strict normal forms (2.85% +/- 2.07% versus 3.13% +/- 2.63%), slightly amorphous forms, and the morphology index (11.79 +/- 6.06 versus 12.04 +/- 7.13). Pregnancy rates (PRs) were similar when normal forms were <4% (39.1%) or > 4% (35.7%). The PR, although higher in the group with morphology index > 10% (41.4%) than in the group < 10% (33.3%), lacked statistical significance. In pure male infertility group, mean values of morphology were similar in pregnancy and nonpregnancy group. A not significant trend was detected toward higher PRs in morphology index > 10% (50.0%) than in the group < 10% (33.3%).

Conclusion: Strict morphology analysis 1 month before the beginning of IUI is not a useful prognostic factor in IUI performed because of male infertility.