Cumulative pregnancy rates in couples with anovulatory infertility compared with unexplained infertility in an ovulation induction programme.

From 1991, couples with unexplained infertility weretreated with up to four cycles of ovarian stimulation priorUsing a retrospective analysis, we compared cumulative to either in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intra-Fallopianpregnancy rates, early pregnancy failure rates and transfer (GIFT). None of the couples in any of the groupsmultiple pregnancy rates in couples with polycystic had intrauterine insemination (IUI) performed as part ofovarian syndrome (PCOS) (n J 148), hypogonadotrophic their treatment.or eugonadotrophic hypogonadism (n J 91) and unex- By performing a retrospective analysis, we tested whetherplained infertility (n J 117), who were treated in an application of the same method of treatment (ovulationovulation induction clinic between January 1991 and induction) known to be effective in couples with anovulatoryDecember 1995. The women were treated with either infertility would be beneficial to couples with unexplainedhuman menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) or purified infertility receiving ovarian stimulation. The aims of ourfollicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The cumulative study were to compare: (i) the cumulative pregnancy ratespregnancy rate (derived from life-table analysis) after in couples with PCOS, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism,four ovulatory treatment cycles was 70% in the PCOS eugonadotrophic hypogonadism or unexplained infertility,group, 74% in the hypogonadism group and 38% in the (ii) the early pregnancy loss rates in these groups and (iii)unexplained infertility group. The cumulative pregnancy the multiple pregnancy rates between the groups.rate in the unexplained infertility group was significantlylower than the other groups (P