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Ejaculatory Abstinence in IUI Cycles

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Infertility
Spermatozoa
Reproductive Disorder
Interventions
Procedure: INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION
Registration Number
NCT04361292
Lead Sponsor
Pamukkale University
Brief Summary

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) combined with ovarian stimulation, has been an extensively used procedure for the treatment of patients with unexplained infertility. The aim of this study was to report the effect of ejaculatory abstinence on sperm DNA fragmentation and pregnancy rates in IUI cycles, as well as the correlation between the two.

Detailed Description

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) combined with ovarian stimulation, has been an extensively used procedure for the treatment of patients with unexplained infertility. The fact that IUI is less expensive, less invasive, and easier to perform than other assisted reproductive techniques makes it the first-line treatment option in infertility treatments. Several studies have been published over the past few years examining the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation and IUI outcome. The optimal period for ejaculatory abstinence before the semen sample is a controversial issue in the literature. There are only two retrospective studies examining the relationship between the ejaculatory abstinence period and pregnancy rates after IUI.

Several studies suggested performing IUI with sperm samples obtained in a shorter abstinence period than recommended by WHO. However, there isn't enough research on this issue in the literature. Moreover, there is no specific prospective clinical research examining the relationship of ejaculatory abstinence period and sperm DNA fragmentation in IUI cycles. The aim of this study was to report the effect of ejaculatory abstinence on sperm DNA fragmentation and pregnancy rates in IUI cycles, as well as the correlation between the two

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria
  • Infertility for more than 12 months
  • Diagnosed as unexplained infertility
  • Female age between 20 and 40 years
  • Regular menstrual cycles
  • Mid-luteal progesterone levels of >3 ng/ml
  • Basal FSH <12 mIU/ml, AMH >1ng/ml
  • Body mass index (BMI) 19-35 kg/m2
  • No pelvic pathology documented by transvaginal ultrasound and bilateral tubal patency diagnosed by hysterosalpingography
  • Normal semen parameters according to WHO criteria
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any endocrine and pelvic pathology
  • PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
  • Known endometriosis history
  • Prior pelvic surgery
  • Persistent ovarian cysts.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Group B: three days abstinence periodINTRAUTERINE INSEMINATIONPatients allocated into group B had an ejaculatory abstinence period of three days
Group A: one day abstinence periodINTRAUTERINE INSEMINATIONPatients allocated into group A had an ejaculatory abstinence period of one day
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
pregnancy rateThe pregnancy test was done 14 days after intrauterine insemination. If the test was positive, transvaginal ultrasonography was performed at 6-7 weeks of gestation.

The presence of one or more gestational sacs on transvaginal ultrasonography was described as clinical pregnancy.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Sperm DNA fragmentation percentageOn the day of IUI, semen samples were obtained and the sperm DNA fragmentation was measured by the TUNEL method in the inseminated sperm.

Sperm DNA fragmentation rate assessed by TUNEL assay.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Infertility Center

🇹🇷

Denizli, Turkey

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