What is artificial insemination?

Artificial insemination (AI) is an assisted reproductive technology that uses non-coital delivery of sperm into the female reproductive tract for the purpose of conceiving a woman. According to the source of sperm, AI can be divided into artificial insemination by husband sperm (AIH) and artificial insemination by donor sperm (AID) from third party sperm. According to the different insemination sites, such as vaginal, cervical canal, uterine cavity, fallopian tube and abdominal cavity, they are called intravaginal artificial insemination (IVI), intracervical canal artificial insemination (ICI), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intrafallopian tube artificial insemination (IFI), respectively. AI is mainly used for male infertility. Artificial insemination with husband’s semen (AIH) 1. AIH refers to artificial insemination with husband’s semen and is suitable for the following conditions: (1) Abnormal semen Mild or moderate oligospermia (sperm concentration of 5-15×106/ml), weak spermatozoa, non-severe malformed spermatozoa, and abnormal liquefaction. (2) Infertility due to inability of sperm to pass through the cervix due to abnormal cervical mucus. (3) Intercourse disorders due to sexual dysfunction or genital tract abnormalities. (4) Ovulation disorders (e.g. PCOS) and endometriosis that have been treated with medication alone. (5) Unexplained infertility. (6) Immunologic infertility. 2. AIH is also not suitable for operation in the following cases: (1) The female partner is suffering from serious genetic, physical or mental diseases that are not suitable for pregnancy. (2) One of the partners is suffering from acute infectious diseases of the genitourinary system or sexually transmitted diseases. One of the partners has been recently exposed to teratogenic amount of radiation or toxic substances, or has taken teratogenic drugs or medicines and is in the period of action.