@article{3047796,
    title = "The value of semen characteristics and tests of sperm function in
selecting couples for intra-uterine insemination",
    author = "Milingos, S and Comhaire, FH and Liapi, A and Aravantinos, D",
    journal = "EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY",
    year = "1996",
    volume = "64",
    number = "1",
    pages = "115-118",
    publisher = "ELSEVIER SCI IRELAND LTD",
    issn = "0301-2115",
    doi = "10.1016/0301-2115(95)02262-7",
    keywords = "intrauterine insemination; male infertility; couple infertility;
assisted reproduction",
    abstract = "In order to improve the selection of couples for intrauterine
insemination (IUI) because of longstanding primary infertility of
alleged male origin, we have performed a prospective study measuring
conventional and advanced analysis of sperm characteristics, the
hypoosmotic swelling test, the Shorr stain, the acidified aniline blue
stain and alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma, of 89 couples
with no demonstrable abnormality of the female partner. Twenty-four
couples attained spontaneous conception. 23 were successful within six
cycles of IUI, and 42 remained without conception in spite of IUI during
six unstimulated cycles. The proportion and concentration of spermatozoa
with progressive motility was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the
successful IUI cases than in the couples attaining spontaneous
conception, and the lower quartile value was lower in the former than in
the latter. There were less pregnancies among IUI treated couples when
sperm concentration and motility were within the range of normal fertile
men. or when the concentration of white blood cells was elevated. More
pregnancies occurred when markers of epididymal function, namely the
result of the Shorr stain and alpha-glucosidase measurement, were
normal. Total progressive motility and the result of the Shorr stain
were the only independent variables selected by logistic regression to
discriminate between successful and failed IUI cases. It is concluded
that only a limited group of couples may benefit from IUI."
}