ABSTRACT
In the beginning of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) era, tubal factor infertility was the sole indication for the treatment. Today, other indications constitute the majority of treatments and tubal disease may account for as little as 20% in some centers. It is notable that tubal factor infertility is often reported to yield worse results than other causes of infertility. We reported tubal factor infertility to be an independently negative predictive factor of pregnancy and birth, as compared with all other indications (1), in the debate on high multiple pregnancy rates in IVF. Hydrosalpinx is the severe condition that has attained special interest in research and clinical practice. Tubal diseases like salpingitis isthmica nodosa and other types of proximal tubal occlusions have not been studied exclusively in connection with assisted reproduction technology (ART) and will not be further explored here. This chapter will focus on the problems associated with hydrosalpinx and ART, including diagnosis, prognosis, possible mechanisms, and interventions.
