A representative group of 204 infertile couples from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were compared to a similar group of 633 couples from Aberdeen, UK in an attempt to study if there was any regional difference in the pattern of infertility seen. The protocol for investigation and diagnostic criteria for both centres were standardised. A significant difference (X2 = 63.43; p less than 0.001) was seen. The reasons for these differences are discussed.