Intrauterine
Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is used to concentrate
the sperm and deliver it to the uterine cavity.
Healthy
sperm must reach the egg in sufficient quantities
for fertilization to occur and male factor is
a major cause of infertility. Never attempt
this without a doctor's supervision. Sperm must
be properly washed and prepared in a laboratory
to remove particles that could cause serious,
even fatal, allergic reactions. There are many
situations where IUI may be used including:
a)
Inadequate sperm count.
b) Male or female antisperm antibodies that
destroy the sperm
c) High number of abnormal sperm
d) Poor sperm motility
e) Unexplained infertility
IUI
success rates are approximately 20% per cycle,
which is much lower than IVF. For this reason,
IVF with ICSI is being used more frequently
as a treatment of first choice. A paternal child
can be produced with as few as one sperm using
the ICSI procedure. Sufficient sperm can often
be withdrawn from the male's reproductive tract
even if there are few sperm in the ejaculate.
Where
possible, the male partners sperm is used or
if this is not possible donor semen is purchased.
Causes
of male sperm abnormalities include lack of
sperm caused by high dose chemotherapy or radiation,
congenital, trauma to the testicle, failed ejaculation,
vasectomy, and other conditions, which cannot
always be identified.
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