The lower the number or quality of the sperm, the closer they must get to the ova. The techniques used are the following:
Intra-vaginal or cervical artificial insemination (IIV)
Is the simplest technique and consists in depositing the semen in the vagina using a cannula or syringe, without needing to prepare the sample in the laboratory. It would be indicated in those cases where the male has normal semen but for whatever reason such as serious erection problems, very premature ejaculation or irregularities of the urinary meatus, he is not able to deposit the semen into the vagina during coitus.
Intrauterine artificial insemination (IIU)
Consists in depositing the semen, previously prepared in the laboratory where the best quality spermatozoids are selected, inside the uterus using a cannula. This technique is indicated where there are more than 2 million good quality spermatozoids in the prepared semen. It can be done with or without stimulation of the ovulation in order to achieve a greater production of eggs.
Conventional in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Consists in stimulating ovulation with hormones to achieve various ova. By ultrasound the development of the follicles hosting the ova is monitored and they are aspirated through the vagina when they achieve a growth of approximately 18mm. The ova obtained are incubated in the laboratory together with the sperm, enabling the latter to fertilise the ova spontaneously. If embryos are obtained, these are subsequently transferred to the uterus. The remaining embryos are frozen and transferred in another cycle if gestation has not been produced or if pregnancy was achieved but the couple want another child.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
We proceed in the same way as with IVF but in the laboratory a spermatozoid is injected into each of the ova obtained.