Comparison of semen parameters between pregnant and nonpregnant couples with male factor infertility during intrauterine insemination*

Aim: To compare the semen parameters between pregnant and nonpregnant couples with male factor infertility during intrauterine insemination (IUI). Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 156 IUI cycles performed in our center from January 2005 to December 2006 with the indication of male infertility. IUI cycles were divided into 2 groups: group 1 pregnancy (24 cycles) and group 2 (132 cycles) nonpregnancy cycles. Results: In both groups, progressive motility of neither initial nor processed sperm specimens was significantly different (P > 0.05). When comparisons of semen parameters in groups were performed in the initial specimen, sperm concentration and total motile sperm count (TMC) were significantly different between the groups (P = 0.03, P = 0.04, respectively). After processing specimens a definite significant difference was found in sperm concentration and inseminated motile sperm count (IMC) between pregnancy and nonpregnancy cycles (P = 0.03, P = 0.03, respectively). Although TMC > 10 × 10^6 provided a pregnancy rate (PR) of 18% compared with TMC < 10 × 10^6 (PR: 10%), no significant differences were detected (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In addition to the initial TMC and IMC, sperm concentration in both initial and processed specimens may influence IUI-related pregnancy in male factor infertility.