Does the time interval from the end of sperm processing to intrauterine insemination (lab‐to‐uterus time) affect treatment outcome?

Abstract

Background: Intra-uterine insemination is an essential component in the treatment of infertility. Success rates are dependent on clinical factors of the female partner, sperm quality, and preparation technique. The effect of the time interval between the end of sperm preparation in the lab, and its injection into the uterine cavity (lab-to-uterus time) is yet to be determined. Aim:To investigate the association between the lab-to-uterus time and the pregnancy rate. Materials and methods:Partner and donor spermatozoa intra-uterine insemination cycles were included. Preparation for intra-uterine insemination of partners' fresh ejaculate or donor thawed spermatozoa was identical. The time interval from the completion of this stage to the actual intra-uterine injection was recorded. The lab-touterus intervals were divided into groups A (0-29 min), B (30-59 min), C (60-89 min), and D (90-180 min). Pregnancy was defined as two adequate consecutive doubling levels of hCG and the pregnancy rates were compared between the groups.Results: A total of 267 female patients (138 partner spermatozoa, 129 donors) who had 470 intra-uterine insemination cycles (218 partner spermatozoa, 252 donors) were included. No significant differences in pregnancy rates per treatment cycle were found between the four lab-to-uterus interval groups: A (n = 96 cycles; 16.7%), B (n = 217; 19.4%), C (n = 121; 16.5%), and D (n = 36; 36.1%). No difference was found in the pregnancy rates between partner and donor spermatozoa. In the case of fresh partner spermatozoa, the pregnancy rates for groups were as follows: A (n = 40 cycles, 20%); B (n = 94; 14.9%), C (n = 70; 17.1%), and D (n = 14; 35.7%) (NS). In the case of thawed donor spermatozoa, the pregnancy rates (per cycle) for groups were as follows:A (n = 56; 14.3%), B (n = 123; 22.8%), C (n = 51; 15.7%), and D (n = 22; 36.4)% (NS). Conclusions:The intra-uterine insemination outcome was not affected by the lab-touterus time interval. Extended waiting up to 3 h for insemination did not have any

The effect of the time interval from sperm processing to intrauterine insemination on the pregnancy outcomes of infertile women

“…On the other hand, a recent study did not detect differences in pregnancy rates per cycle of treatment with varying time intervals of SP-IUI. Pregnancy rate in this study was not diminished with SP-IUI intervals extending up to 3 hours (18). A retrospective study conducted by Song et al on the impact of total time from sperm collection to insemination process also did not reveal significant differences in ongoing pregnancy rates of IUI using sperm specimens collected at the clinic with short interval time (7.3%) and those collected at home with a relatively long time interval (10.6%) (2).…”