Pregnancy outcome in 242 conceptions after artificial insemination with donor sperm and effects of maternal age on the prognosis for successful pregnancy.

Four hundred four treatment courses of artificial insemination with donor sperm were initiated in 330 couples. A treatment course was defined as completed if the patient conceived, failed to conceive after 12 cycles of artificial insemination with donor sperm, or dropped out of the program after at least one inseminated cycle. We have documented a 92.4% conception rate in patients who completed six treatment courses and 83.7% in those completing at least three treatment courses. Including all the patients who dropped out, 72.7% of all patients conceived. Spontaneous abortion occurred in 17.4%; three infants with major congenital defects were delivered and three indicated midtrimester abortions were performed. Our data demonstrate that the prognosis for successful artificial insemination with donor sperm is inversely related to advancing maternal age. Patients over age 35 had significantly lower conception rates; more insemination cycles were required per conception and the incidence of spontaneous abortion was related to the number of cycles required per conception.