Sperm morphology analysis (strict criteria) in male infertility is not a prognostic factor in intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic value of strict sperm morphology analysis in intrauterine insemination with husband's sperm (IUI) cycles performed because of male infertility.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Academic tertiary hospital.

PATIENTS: Seventy-four consecutive couples subjected to 271 IUI cycles because of male infertility.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Strict morphology analysis 1 month before the beginning of IUI following the criteria of Kruger et al.

RESULTS

Pregnancy and no pregnancy couples were similar regarding strict normal forms (2.85% +/- 2.07% versus 3.13% +/- 2.63%), slightly amorphous forms, and the morphology index (11.79 +/- 6.06 versus 12.04 +/- 7.13). Pregnancy rates (PRs) were similar when normal forms were <4% (39.1%) or > 4% (35.7%). The PR, although higher in the group with morphology index > 10% (41.4%) than in the group < 10% (33.3%), lacked statistical significance. In pure male infertility group, mean values of morphology were similar in pregnancy and nonpregnancy group. A not significant trend was detected toward higher PRs in morphology index > 10% (50.0%) than in the group < 10% (33.3%).

CONCLUSION

Strict morphology analysis 1 month before the beginning of IUI is not a useful prognostic factor in IUI performed because of male infertility.