PURPOSE: This retrospective study evaluated the pregnancy rates of 23 couples with male factor infertility due to traumatic spinal cord injury (N = 21), multiple sclerosis (N = 1) or transverse myelitis (N = 1). METHODS: Ovulation induction by clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins was used in combination with intrauterine insemination as an initial approach for assisted conception in all but one couple. RESULTS: Six pregnancies occurred in 60 cycles of intrauterine insemination (mean of 2.6 cycles). In this group, the cumulative pregnancy rate was 26%. Six couples who failed after a total of 33 intrauterine insemination cycles (mean of 5.5 cycles), and 1 couple with no previous intrauterine insemination cycles, initiated 10 cycles of in vitro fertilization (mean of 1.4 cycles). In this group, five pregnancies occurred. The pregnancy rate was 71%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ovulation induction in combination with intrauterine insemination offers an effective initial therapy of severe male factor infertility due to spinal cord injury.
PURPOSE: This retrospective study evaluated the pregnancy rates of 23 couples with male factor infertility due to traumatic spinal cord injury (N = 21), multiple sclerosis (N = 1) or transverse myelitis (N = 1). METHODS: Ovulation induction by clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins was used in combination with intrauterine insemination as an initial approach for assisted conception in all but one couple. RESULTS: Six pregnancies occurred in 60 cycles of intrauterine insemination (mean of 2.6 cycles). In this group, the cumulative pregnancy rate was 26%. Six couples who failed after a total of 33 intrauterine insemination cycles (mean of 5.5 cycles), and 1 couple with no previous intrauterine insemination cycles, initiated 10 cycles of in vitro fertilization (mean of 1.4 cycles). In this group, five pregnancies occurred. The pregnancy rate was 71%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ovulation induction in combination with intrauterine insemination offers an effective initial therapy of severe male factor infertility due to spinal cord injury.