Real time pelvic ultrasonography during the periovulatory period of patients attending an artificial insemination clinic.

Real time ultrasonography was used to examine the ovaries of 50 patients at the calculated time for artificial insemination with donor semen (AID). Forty-two (84%) had one or more follicles greater than 13 mm in diameter. Both ovaries were monitored daily until the main follicle had ruptured (mean number of examinations, 2.4 per patient; range, 1 to 5). Seven women became pregnant (mean follicular diameter, 21.6 mm; range, 18 to 25 mm). The fecundability rate was 12%, compared with 6% for a corresponding group of 50 patients who were not examined with ultrasound. Seven patients experienced mittelschmerz, and in 39 the leading follicle had ruptured before the rise in basal body temperature (BBT). Ultrasonography may be used to confirm the presence or absence of preovulatory follicle prior to treatment.