VARIATION IN SPONTANEOUS-ABORTION RATE RELATES TO THE INDICATION FOR THERAPEUTIC DONOR INSEMINATION

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between indications for donor insemination and the rate of spontaneous abortion of these pregnancies . Methods: All therapeutic donor insemination pregnancies from our cli nic over a 15-year period were categorized according to the indication s for insemination, recipient's age, cycle of conception, use of ovula tion-inducing agents, use of fresh or frozen semen, and pregnancy outc ome. Spontaneous abortion rates were compared between groups segregate d according to the indication for donor insemination; differences in m aternal age were taken into account. Statistical evaluation was done u sing chi2 analysis. Results: Women whose partners produced some sperm in their ejaculates had a spontaneous abortion rate of 21.8%, as compa red to 15.4% for women whose partners were azoospermic (P < .05). When couples with oligospermia were segregated by degree of oligospermia, those with counts greater than 2 x 10(6)/mL had an abortion rate of 26 .2%, as compared to 11.7% in those with counts less than 1 x 10(6)/mL (P < .02,5). Conclusions: The indication for performing therapeutic do nor insemination has an influence on the resultant spontaneous abortio n rate. Several possible reasons for this relationship may exist, but more data will be needed for verification. A better understanding of t he influences that the indication for donor insemination has upon the outcome will facilitate more accurate counseling of candidate couples.