Examination and stimulation of the woman
For insemination, a normal passage through the oviducs are required. The woman is there for tested for clamydia and the oviducts are flushed through.
The insemination can be performed in a normal cyclus but the chances of pregnancy is enhanced if hormones are used to stimulate growth of the eggs and ovulation.
Washing of the semen sample
The semen sample is washed to concentrate the motile and normal sperm cells.
Insemination in the uterus (IUI)
IUI is the abbreviation for Intra Uterine Insemination. The insemination is timed with ovulation which is identified through an ultrasound scan. A small plastic catheter is passed through the cervix and the purified semen sample is placed in the uterus. The aim is to deposit at least 1 million motile sperm. This is a higher number than after a intercourse and the chances of fertilization is therefore increased.
Pregnancy rate for IUI
An IUI treatment normally will have a 12 to 15 % chance of being successful.
This treatment implies that the sperm will have a long way to swim to reach the oocyte and fertilize it. If the sperm DNA is fragile, there is a high risk that it becomes severely damaged (fragmented) before fertilization is completed. If DFI is between 15 and 25, the pregnancy chance is approximately halved. If DFI is above 25, the pregnancy chance per treatment is only 1-2%.
If pregnancy is achieved with a DFI above 15, the risk of a miscarriage is increased.