Artificial Insemination - -

Artificial Insemination

What is Artificial Insemination?

Artificial insemination involves the placement of relatively large numbers of healthy sperm into the partner's uterus, bypassing the cervix, to have direct access to the fallopian tubes.

Artificial insemination can be performed during an ovulation induction cycle or with the use of an ovulation predictor. The process bypasses the normal cervical mucus/sperm interaction by directly depositing the washed sample in the uterine cavity. Fallopian tubal patency is necessary since the sperm still need to travel into the tubes to interact with the oocyte(s).

Semen from the partner or anonymous donor is prepared in the laboratory to concentrate a highly motile fraction. The sample is loaded into a specialized catheter that is introduced through the cervix into the uterus. The procedure is typically very quick with minimal discomfort.