Post-operative artificial insemination--does it improve GIFT outcome?

Based on a retrospective study of our gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) programme we have analysed 102 cycles where a standard GIFT procedure was implemented and 92 cycles where a post-operative intrauterine and intracervical insemination (post-operative IUI/ICI) was performed, in addition to GIFT. Our comparison suggests that the pregnancy outcome has been significantly improved (P less than 0.05) by this additional post-operative IUI/ICI. The standard GIFT group (102 cycles) yielded 38 clinical pregnancies and, ultimately, 29 delivered pregnancies (37.2/28.4%), whilst the post-operative IUI/ICI group (92 cycles) gave 48 clinical pregnancies initially and, currently, 38 pregnancies are ongoing or delivered (52.2/41.3%). The possible implications of the 'normal' presence of spermatozoa in the human female tract as an explanation for this improvement is discussed, and the adoption of IUI/ICI after GIFT is proposed, following a prospective controlled study.