Artificial Insemination (AI)

Treatments

Reproductive Medicine

This is one of the procedures used in Assisted Reproduction Programs. It consists of depositing the spermatozoa previously treated in the lab inside the uterine cavity.

Depending on the origin of the semen sample used for insemination, the technique can be classified in two types:

Semen sample provided by husband (AIH)

Semen sample provided by a semen donor (AID)

Semen sample provided by husband (AIH)

Semen sample provided by husband is used to perform insemination.

Indications

Inability to deposit the semen in the vagina:
hypospadias, retrograde ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, vaginism.

Mild or severe male factor:
A sperm Capacitation Test results in recovery of 3 million spermatozoa with good mobility.

Ovulatory dysfunction:
Anovulation, polycystic ovaries (generally corrected via hormonal treatment).

Cervical factor:
alteration of the cervical mucus.

Endometriosis:
Mild types (Type I and II).

Infertility of unknown causes:
couples whose tests present normality, but cannot achieve pregnancy.

Stages:

Ovarian stimulation:

Every month, habitually, an egg matures in a woman in a physiological manner. This egg is then released into the Fallopian Tubes.

During Artificial Insemination mild stimulation of the ovaries is sought in order to increase the chances of pregnancy. This ovarian stimulation induces maturation of the follicles (ovarian structures present in the eggs) via the administration of hormones (daily subcutaneous or intramuscular injections of FSH, LH for approximately 10 days. It is important to control that the number of mature follicles be 2-3 in order to avoid the risk of multiple pregnancy.

The gynaecologist specialized in assisted reproduction performs a complete process of ovarian monitorization with the use of ultrasound controls and hormonal tests for a thorough and personalized follow-up aimed to achieving the highest degree of efficacy.

Semen preparation:

The same day of the insemination, a sperm sample is obtained and processed in the Andrology Lab. Then, a sperm capacitation test is performed with a view to obtaining a large population of spermatozoa presenting good mobility.

Insemination:

This is a simple and painless procedure, not requiring the use of anaesthesia, in which a catheter is introduced through the neck of the womb into the uterus for the deposit of the capacitated sperm sample.

Insemination is performed in the moment when the egg is released by the ovary and is collected by the Fallopian tubes. This process occurs 38-40 hours after ovulation induction (administration of human chorionic hormone (HCG)).

Semen sample provided by a semen donor (AID)

Insemination performed with sperm sample coming from an anonymous donor and provided by a Semen Bank.

Semen Banks are centres authorized by the sanitary administration to perform donor selection as well as freezing and distribution of sperm samples. For donor selection, a comprehensive study is carried out involving seminal controls and sanitary controls to prevent the transmission of infectious and hereditary diseases. The matching process between donors and receipients is a detailed process where different aspects are observed: i.e. phenotypical characteristics (hair colour and type, eye colour, body built and blood group are selected to render the highest degree of compatibility).

Indications:

Azoospermia, absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate and in the testicle

Male genetic diseases not susceptible to Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis

Testicular meiosis alterations

Women without male partner

Same-sex couples

Stages:

The phases or stages of this process involve both ovarian stimulation, semen preparation and the introduction of the treated sample into the uterus. Identical phases to those of artificial insemination by husband.

EMBRIOGYN | Estanislau Figueres 8, baixos, 43003 Tarragona Spain | Tel. 977 24 24 51 | Fax. 977 92 06 13