A randomized comparison of the methods of sperm preparation for intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of three methods of sperm preparation for IUI during superovulation of infertile women.

DESIGN

Randomized assignment of one of three sperm preparation methods.

SETTING

University infertility practice.

PATIENT(S): Infertile couples undergoing superovulation and IUI.

INTERVENTION(S): The method of preparation of sperm for IUI during superovulation was assigned randomly to double centrifugation, multiple-tube swim-up, or Percoll density gradient.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Total number and percent recovery of motile sperm, percent of recovered sperm with normal morphology, and cycle fecundity.

RESULT(S): No method of sperm preparation provided better cycle fecundity than the others despite differences in sperm recovery.

CONCLUSION(S): Double centrifugation, multiple-tube swim-up, and Percoll density gradient sperm preparation for IUI yield similar cycle fecundity rates.