Artificial insemination by husband (A.I.H.) is a technique in which the sperms are directly deposited in the uterus with the help of a tube known as fine catheter. Read on to learn more about this assisted reproduction technique.Artificial insemination by husband (A.I.H.) technique is used when infertility problems are observed in males. This technique is mostly used when a man is coping with problems like poor sperm quality, low sperm count or anatomical abnormalities of penis. Let us take a detailed look at this treatment option used for treating
infertility problem.
Why is A.I.H. not very popular?
A.I.H. is inappropriate treatment for the vast majority of infertile couples. Most men have their own very adequately functioning "natural syringe" with which to deposit sperm around the cervix after which the sperm enter the cervical mucus in a matter of seconds.
There are, therefore, very few situations to carry out A.I.H.
For whom is A.I.H. advocated?
Some men have problems of impotence, premature ejaculation and anatomical abnormalities of the penis. In such cases, the men usually have a normal sperm count but are unable to deposit the
sperm in the vagina. They can, however, produce a semen sample by masturbation which can subsequently be introduced by A.I.H. If this is the couple's only infertility problem, the success of treatment by A.I.H. is high.
In the previous section, the technique of split ejaculation A.I.H. was mentioned for men with oligospermia. However, it is essential that test show that the sperm count per ml in the first part of the ejaculate is very much higher than would have been the count per ml for the whole semen sample.
When is A.I.H. not very helpful?
A.I.H. is sometimes advocated for men with poor motility and low sperm counts in the hope that introducing the sperm directly into the cervical canal or uterus will save them part of their journey to reach the egg. Unfortunately the success rates for A.I.H. make no difference in such cases.
A.I.H. is also sometimes considered for couples who have shown the presence of a cervical mucus hostility factor. Here too, the results have been disappointing.
A.I.H. imposes quite a strain on the couple. Various types of applicators are available that allow A.I.H. to be carried out by the patient at home.
What are the requirements for carrying out A.I.H procedure?
This technique is suitable for heterosexual couples. Following are the requirements for this technique to be successful.
- Age of the women should not be more than 36 years as the chances of embryo implantation are low in women who are older than that.
- At least one of the fallopian tubes must be unobstructed in order to allow the sperms to reach the egg for the purpose of fertilization.
- The motile sperm concentration of the husband should contain at least 3 million sperms after it undergoes laboratory processing.
The chances of a
successful conception are usually between 15% to 25% and it also depends on the fertility clinic in which it is performed, the factors that are causing infertility and the uniqueness of the circumstances.
How is A.I.H procedure carried out?
For carrying out the A.I.H procedure firstly the ovulation is tracked. The
doctor usually asks to use an ovulation prediction kit in order to track the ovulation. Ovulation prediction kit provides accurate result on when a woman is going to ovulate. Natural ovulation cycle is followed in case if the woman is getting menstrual periods regularly. In case if the woman is having irregular menstrual cycle, doctor may advice the woman to go for mild ovarian stimulation in order to improve the chances of conception.
The next step is to collect the semen sample from the husband and process it in the laboratory in order to remove the elements that may reduce the chances of successful fertilization of egg. Once the semen sample is ready woman has to undergo IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination) through which the sperms are put in her uterus. This process is done while the women is ovulation which is during her most fertile period.
A.I.H procedure can be carried out at home as well using insemination kits. However, as the semen sample is not processed in the laboratory, the success rate may differ as compared to the clinical procedure.
