An instrument for the recovery of preimplantation uterine ova.

This report describes an instrument to recover fertilized ova from the human uterus without anesthesia. Two hundred sixty-five lavages were performed on 20 normal and presumed fertile women and on seven infertile women. Using 60 mL of fluid, median fluid recovery was 97% (range 65-100%). In the fertile women, ova were recovered in 40 of 90 insemination cycles (44%). Complications were rare (3%), but included two retained pregnancies, three minor pelvic infections, three occurrences of catheter kinking on insertion, and one failure to obtain insertion. Reproductive function in the subjects after repeated use does not appear to be impaired.