CLINICAL RESEARCH
The effect of intrauterine insemination preceding frozen-thawed elective single embryo transfer in couples with unexplained subfertility
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1 |
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Acibadem Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey |
2 |
Bahcesehir University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey |
3 |
Istanbul IVF Center, Turkey |
4 |
Erzincan University, School of Medicine, Erzincan, Turkey |
5 |
Erzurum University, School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey |
Submission date: 2019-10-29
Final revision date: 2020-05-08
Acceptance date: 2020-05-22
Online publication date: 2020-08-25
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ABSTRACT
Introduction:
This prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of intrauterine insemination (IUI) before frozen-thawed elective single embryo transfer (FT-eSET).
Material and methods:
A total of 200 couples with unexplained subfertility underwent in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to either FT-eSET or IUI preceding FT-eSET. Both groups were composed of 100 women. IUI was timed 6 days before FT-eSET in the IUI preceding FT-eSET group. Implantation rates (IR), biochemical and clinical abortion rates (AR), clinical pregnancy rates (PR), ongoing pregnancy rates (PRs), and live birth rates were measured in this study.
Results:
The IUI preceding FT-eSET group was associated with higher rates of clinical pregnancy, 54% vs. 42%, but not significantly. Similarly, IR, PR and live birth rate were higher in the IUI preceding FT-eSET group but not significantly. In the IUI preceding FT-eSET group, the biochemical and clinical abortion rates were lower than in the control group (9.5% vs. 14.2% and 5.5% vs. 5.2%, respectively). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups, either.
Conclusions:
This is the first study showing that IUI may precede FT-eSET to improve PR in couples with unexplained subfertility. Also, performing IUI before FT-eSET may decrease biochemical and clinical abortion rates.