In this study attempts have been made to assess-the efficiency of the addition of pentoxifylline to sperm for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) in 71 couples(70 cycles) with male : factor infertility and 138 couples(138 cycles) without male factor infertility, from September to December 1993. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) was performed using long protocol(104 cycles, Group I) or ultrashort protocol104 cycles, Group II) of gonadotropinreleasing hormone(GnRH) agonist In patients with male factor infertility included in group I, there were no significant differences between pentoxifylline-treated group and control group in mean number of retrieved oocytes, retrieved preovulatory oocytes, fertilized oocytes and grade 1 or 2 embryos, but there were significantly more abnormally fertilized embryos with three or more pronucleus and higher fertilization rates in pentoxifylline-treated group. In patients without male factor infertility included in group I, there were no significant differences between pentoxifylline-treated group and control group in all parameters except the mean number of abnormally fertilized embryos with three or more pronucleus. It was significantly more in pentoxifylline-treated group. In group I patients with male factor infertility, there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rates per cycle between pentoxifylline-treated group and control group. In group I patients without male factor infertility, the clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were also not significantly different between pentoxifylline-treated group and control group. In patients with male factor infertility included in group II, there were no significant differences between pentoxifylline-treated group and control group in all parameters except fertilization rates. It was significantly higher in pentoxifylline treated getup. In patients without male factor infertility included in group II, there were no significant differences between pento xifylline-treated group and control group in all parameters. There were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates between pentoxifylline-treated group and control group in group II patients with or without male factor infertility.
This study demonstrates the therapeutic advantage of using pentoxifylline in IVF for male factor infertility, but no usefulness in IVF in infertile patients without male factor infertility.
However, pentoxifylline treatment could increase the number of embryos fertilized abnormally with three or more pronucleus regardless of male factor infertility.
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