Chapter 28 - Intrauterine insemination from the urologist’s perspective

Summary

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is indicated for couples with unexplained infertility, mild to moderate male-factor infertility, or certain female factors, such as antisperm antibodies or a hostile cervical environment. Pre-screening for couples attempting an IUI procedure includes testing for infectious diseases, genetic abnormalities, and general medical problems, such as anemia. Oligospermic men have an increased likelihood of harboring genetic anomalies, such as Y-chromosome microdeletions. The use of fertility drugs has been associated with neoplasia, particularly borderline ovarian tumors. Pregnancy complications include multiple gestations, birth defects, low birthweight, and ectopic pregnancies. Chain of custody is a concept that dictates exactly which person or facility has physical control of a laboratory specimen from the time it leaves the patient's body until it arrives at its ultimate destination. In IUI, the initial specimen is the man's ejaculate and the final destination is his designated partner's uterus.