Artificial Insemination

Human AI was first reported by John Hunter but was probably done earlier because it is an obvious therapy. AIH is artificial insemination using the husband's spermatozoa, and AID is artificial insemination using donor semen. Therapeutic donor insemination (TDI) is perhaps a better designation, to avoid confusion with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). The numbers of donor inseminations have been rising steadily for many years but are now falling sharply following the introduction of the intracytoplasmic injection of spermatozoa into oocytes (ICSI). The vast majority of infertile men now have a chance of conceiving their own children, without recourse to donor insemination.

Techniques have changed over the past 20 years, with better understanding of the timing of human ovulation and improvements in the methods of sperm preparation.

Today, artificial insemination is practiced in clinics or in the woman's home. It is done with some success on a do-it-yourself basis, and the chances of conception are reasonable with several cycles of insemination. For better or worse, semen is freely available for purchase in many cities. (Source: Principles and Practice of Assisted Human Reproduction. Edwards and Brody. W.B Saunders Company, 1995)