Artificial insemination using donor semen: a review of 171 cases.

This report represents a summary of our experience with 171 unselected cases of artificial insemination by donor (AID) over a 4-year period. It must be stressed that the study was retrospective and subject to many of the problems of analyzing such data. However, the information gained may aid the clinician in his approach to candidates for AID. The most critical points revealed by the survey are as follows: 1. Age, length of infertility, and proven fertility, within certain limitations, appear not to be of prime importance in determining the outcome of AID. 2. Of those patients conceiving, the majority will do so within three cycles of exposure, and 90% will have done so within six cycles of exposure. 3. An adequate trial of AID therapy should last at least 6 months. 4. Although the frequently reported conception rate of up to 70% may be expected in patients with correctable anovulation or with normal reproductive organs, a marked diminution in the success rate should be expected in candidates with disorders such as endometriosis, tubal disease, pelvic adhesions, and uterine abnormalities.