Total Fertilization Failure and Idiopathic Subfertility
Author Information
Author(s): Tanahatoe Sandra J, McDonnell Joseph, Goverde Angelique J, Hompes Peter GA, Lambalk Cornelis B
Primary Institution: Vrije Universiteit medical centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hypothesis
Could failure of intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment in patients with idiopathic subfertility be related to diminished fertilization?
Conclusion
There is no significant difference in total fertilization failure and fertilization rates between couples undergoing IVF after failed IUI and those undergoing IVF immediately.
Supporting Evidence
- The study involved 45 patients who underwent IVF after 6 cycles of unsuccessful IUI and 58 patients who underwent IVF immediately.
- Total fertilization failure was 5% in the IVF after unsuccessful IUI group compared to 13% in the immediate IVF group.
- After adjusting for confounding factors, the difference in total fertilization failure rates was not statistically significant.
Takeaway
The study looked at couples who had trouble getting pregnant and found that whether they tried IUI first or went straight to IVF didn't really change their chances of fertilization.
Methodology
A complimentary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing total fertilization failure in IVF after unsuccessful IUI versus IVF without preceding IUI.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to exclusion of male subfertility cases.
Limitations
The study excluded couples with male subfertility, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Patients with idiopathic subfertility, average age around 33 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.08
Confidence Interval
0.5–14.9
Statistical Significance
p = 0.08
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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