Platelet-activating factor improves intrauterine insemination outcome

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate intrauterine insemination pregnan cy rates after human spermatozoa exposure to platelet-activating factor. STUDY DESIGN: Spermatozoa were incubated with platelet-activating factor in sperm-washing medium before intrauterine insemination. Patients whose sper m were incubated with sperm-washing medium alone served as controls. Pregna ncy outcome was determined by ultrasonography (fetal heartbeat). RESULTS: Patients whose sperm were treated with exogenous platelet-activati ng factor had a significantly (P < .05) higher pregnancy rate (40%) than pa tients (20%) not receiving treatment. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of platelet-activating factor into a semen processing protocol, before intrauterine insemination, will significantly improve pre gnancy rates. Platelet-activating factor may have a stimulatory effect on c entriole-intact spermatozoa, enhancing their motility and fertilization suc cess and resulting in improved pregnancy rates. Additional studies will elu cidate the reproductive significance of platelet-activating factor activity in spermatozoa and its role in the establishment of pregnancy.