Effect of ejaculatory abstinence period on sperm DNA fragmentation and pregnancy outcome of intrauterine insemination cycles:  A prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the ejaculatory abstinence period on sperm DNA fragmentation and pregnancy rates in IUI cycles.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty couples with unexplained infertility were prospectively randomized into two groups on the second day of their cycle. In group A, patients had 1-day ejaculatory abstinence period; in group B patients had 3-day ejaculatory abstinence period. Each patient was stimulated with gonadotropins, and IUI was performed. The primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy and sperm DNA fragmentation rate.

RESULTS

The pregnancy rate was 17.3% and 18.5% in group A and group B, respectively. No significant difference was found among the groups (p = 0.803). The sperm DNA fragmentation rate for group A (20.71 ± 11.01) and group B (23.78 ± 12.64) were almost similar (p = 0.187). The sperm DNA fragmentation rate was 24.89 ± 12.89 in pregnant couples and 21.71 ± 11.69 in non-pregnant couples (p = 0.288).

CONCLUSION

Even after a short abstinence period of 1 day, compared to the standard abstinence period of 3 days, pregnancy rates are similar among unexplained infertility couples undergoing ovarian stimulation and IUI.

CLINICALTRIALS: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with ID NCT04361292. Date of registration: 27 April 2020. The study was registered retrospectively.