Intrauterine insemination with platelet-activating factor (PAF) was developed at Reproductive Biology Associates by Dr. William Roudebush, an international expert on PAF and fertility. Based upon the excellent results obtained from our PAF study (Fertility & Sterility 2004;82(1):52-56), RBA has routinely been adding PAF to our IUI wash protocol. The average pregnancy rate for gonadotropin IUI cycles is >40% (see graph below), nearly twice the rate of non-PAF treated IUI cycles. Additionally, we are finding a tremendous improvement in first-cycle IUI pregnancy rates. Patients are finding less time required to become pregnant with PAF-IUI, thereby resulting in reduced cost for infertility treatment.
PAF is a potent phospholipid that is naturally found in sperm whose content has a positive correlation with pregnancy outcome. From our studies on PAF, we have found that abnormal (i.e. immotile) sperm do not respond to PAF as do normal-motile sperm, with improvements in overall sperm motility (numbers and grade). We believe PAF has a sperm-selective capacity that results in the improved pregnancy outcomes. PAF is a safe and efficacious treatment for patients undergoing IUI therapy for infertility.
