The effect of intercourse on pregnancy rates during assisted human reproduction

Intercourse during an IVF cycle has the potential to improve pregnancy rates since exposure to semen is reported to promote embryo development and implantation in animals. Conversely, coitus-induced uterine contractions or introduction of infection may have a detrimental effect. A multicentre prospe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2000-12, Vol.15 (12), p.2653-2658
Main Authors: Tremellen, Kelton P., Valbuena, Diana, Landeras, Jose, Ballesteros, Agustin, Martinez, Javier, Mendoza, Sergio, Norman, Robert J., Robertson, Sarah A., Simón, Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Birth control
Coitus
Embryo Transfer
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Gestational Age
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
intercourse
IVF
Medical sciences
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Prospective Studies
Reproductive Techniques
semen
Semen - physiology
Sexual Abstinence
South Australia
Spain
Sterility. Assisted procreation
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Summary:Intercourse during an IVF cycle has the potential to improve pregnancy rates since exposure to semen is reported to promote embryo development and implantation in animals. Conversely, coitus-induced uterine contractions or introduction of infection may have a detrimental effect. A multicentre prospective randomized control trial was conducted to determine if intercourse during the peri-transfer period of an IVF cycle has any influence on pregnancy success. Participants undergoing thawed embryo transfer (Australian centre) or fresh embryo transfers (Spanish centres) were randomized either to abstain or to engage in vaginal intercourse around the time of embryo transfer. The transfer of 1343 embryos during 478 cycles of IVF resulted in 107 pregnancies (22.4%), with 125 viable embryos remaining by 6–8 weeks gestation. There was no significant difference between the intercourse and abstain groups in relation to the pregnancy rate (23.6 and 21.2% respectively), but the proportion of transferred embryos that were viable at 6–8 weeks was significantly higher in women exposed to semen compared to those who abstained (11.01 versus 7.69 viable embryos per 100 transferred embryos, P = 0.036, odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.19). Hence exposure to semen around the time of embryo transfer increases the likelihood of successful early embryo implantation and development.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/15.12.2653