What Is Artificial Insemination?

Artificial insemination (AI), as the name suggests, involves assisted fertilization performed by medical professionals. During the female’s periovulatory period, sperm is collected from the male partner, processed and optimized *in vitro*, and then the highest-quality sperm are introduced directly into the female’s reproductive tract. AI can be categorized in several ways. The most common types are intrauterine insemination using the husband’s sperm (homologous AI) and donor insemination (heterologous AI). Homologous AI utilizes the male partner’s semen for the procedure, whereas heterologous AI is indicated for men with azoospermia—using donor sperm obtained from a sperm bank. Additionally, AI can be performed via various routes, including intravaginal insemination, intracervical insemination, and intrauterine insemination (IUI).