A randomized study of simultaneous hCG administration with intrauterine insemination in stimulated cycles

Abstract

Objective(s): To compare the clinical pregnancy rates between intrauterine insemination (IUI) simultaneously or 34-36 h following hCG injection in gonadotropin-stimulated IUI cycles.

Study design: Randomized, prospective, controlled, study conducted in a university infertility clinic. Of 923 infertile couples, 220 couples with unexplained infertility or mild male factor infertility were included to the study. Before ovarian stimulation patients were randomized into two groups: IUI at 34-36 h after hCG injection (group I) (n=106) and IUI simultaneously with hCG administration (group II) (n=98). The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rates.

Results: There was no significant difference between the groups according to baseline patient and cycle characteristics. Clinical pregnancy rates were 9.4% and 12.2% in group I and group II, respectively (p=0.523). Although group II had better outcomes there was no statistically significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates between the different timing methods: IUI simultaneously with hCG versus IUI at 34-36 h after hCG (odds ratio (OR)=1.35, 95% CI 0.53-3.42).

Conclusion(s): There is no difference in simultaneous use of hCG injection compared to cycles in which IUI is performed after 34-36 h following hCG injection. Prospective randomized trials with larger sample sizes or meta-analyses are required.

Keywords: Clinical pregnancy; Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone; Intrauterine insemination.