Statement on intra-uterine insemination.

Treatment of couple infertility due to male subfertility by means of intra-uterine insemination (IUI) gives better results, in terms of per cycle and total cumulative pregnancy rate, if sperm preparation is performed using a discontinuous Percoll gradient than if centrifugation-resuspension is used. Also, the minimal semen requirements for successful IUI are lower with the former technique. Optimal epididymal function, with total alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma > 83 IU/mL or Schorr stain result > 60%, is associated with a high probability of success of IUI [odds ratio (OR) = 11.1 and 9.4 respectively; p < 0.01]. If semen contains > 2.3 million white blood cells per mL or more than 13 million spermatozoa/mL with grade a motility the success rate is decreased (OR = 0.25 and 0.30 respectively; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). It is concluded that IUI is a highly successful treatment in specific cases of male subfertility, provided that the correct technique of sperm preparation is used.