Female Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Co-incubation With Husband's Sperm

Outcome measures

Primary outcome:

To measure the rate of clinical pregnancy outcome in subjects undergoing IUI with PRP co-incubation with husband's sperm group than non-PRP group. Clinical pregnancy rate as determined by a positive serum beta-hCG test result at 6 weeks gestation and ultrasound scanning will be performed to confirm at least one gestational sac around 2 to 3 months after IUI.

Secondary outcomes:

• To evaluate the rate of potential infection or other complications such as ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy in the intervention group and control group
• Assessment of sperm quality Sperm quality will be assessed before raw semen, post isolated processed semen and after female PRP co-incubation with the processed semen

Sample size IUI's average clinical pregnancy rate is 10.1% in the past five years at Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecological in the Prince of Wales Hospital, we assume a 50% pregnancy rate increase after the application of female PRP co-incubation with husband's sperm in the IUI, the pregnancy rate is expected to be 15.15% in the sample size estimation. With power calculations (G*Power3.1.9.7; t tests-Means: difference of two independent means), 64 couples (128 patients) in each arm would provide a two-sided 80% power with an alpha of 0.05. We aim to recruit a total of 144 couples (288 patients), that is 72 couples (144 patients) in each arm, to account for a 10% dropout rate.

Subjects undergoing IUI will be included in the study if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The consented subjects will be randomized into two groups via simple random sampling. The subjects' names will be drawn randomly from a pool in which each had an equal probability of being chosen.

• Intervention group (Female PRP co-incubation with husband's sperm in the IUI)
• Control group (non-PRP in the conventional IUI)

Data processing and analysis The researchers will ensure the confidentiality of sensitive data by minimizing the number of personnel who handles subject data. The computer data will be encrypted as required to maximize security. All paper documents will be locked in filing cabinets, and only authorized personnel could access this information. Data will be stored for up to 10 years.

Statistical analysis will be performed using the SPSS (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Data will be presented by percentage, mean and standard deviation, and median where appropriate. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, student-t test will be used for data analysis where appropriate. A two-tailed probability value of p< 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing IUI cycles
• Infertility patients aged >18 years old and < 42 years old
• BMI <30 kg/m2
• No sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, syphilis and other infectious disease

Exclusion criteria

• Concurrent administration of other agents such as prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, or G-CSF
• Administration of anticoagulants or NSAIDs at least 7 days before PRP infuse
• Drug addiction
• Urinary tract infection
• Underlying uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, chromosomal or uterine abnormalities, genetic, hematologic, immunological, or endocrine disorders
• Chronic disease, systemic disease or cancers
• Blood diseases (sepsis, thrombocytopenia)
• Haemoglobin < 11g/dL, platelet count < 150000 mm3
• Poor sperm samples (raw sample TMS <5 x 106)
• Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages on the day of IUI
• Fever on the day of IUI