Postcoital testing in women during menotropin therapy

Abstract

The authors were interested in determining the predictive value of postcoital testing in women who undergo human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) therapy for the induction of ovulation. Fifty consecutive patients were studied whose husbands had acceptable semen analyses; 24 of the patients conceived. Postcoital testing was done after hMG stimulation on the day human chorionic gonadotropins (hCG) were given or the day before. All but one patient had excellent cervical mucus quality. Sperm characteristics in cervical mucus were analyzed in regard to overall motility, number of active sperm per high-power field (HPF), and quality of movement. These data were correlated with outcome in terms of conception. A linear correlation could be shown between overall motility and pregnancy outcome once at least 40% motility was present; no pregnancy occurred in patients with 20% or less sperm motility. Once five or more active sperm/HPF were noted, the chance of pregnancy was about 60%; this chance was not increasd with higher density rates. In all but one patient who conceived, sperm with maximum quality (+ 3 motility) were noted. Data were compiled in a postcoital score (range 0 to 12). Patients with a high score had a pregnancy rate of 70%, patients with an intermediate score, 23%, and none of the seven women with low scores conceived. Because menotropin therapy is costly, demanding, and potentially risky, it is suggested that one utilize results of postcoital testing as a guide in decisions about the continuation of such therapy.