Artificial insemination
In cases of male infertility, as well as certain cases of female infertility, the solution is artificial insemination. This treatment involves depositing treated sperm, from a woman’s male partner or another donor, into the female reproductive system.
Collection and treatment of sperm
Depending on the cause of infertility in the male, sperm are collected through masturbation or directly from the testicle or the epididymis. The collected sperm undergo “sperm washing,” which purifies and concentrates the sperm cells, making them more effective at fertilizing the ova.
Sperm donation
Certain additional rules apply to the treatment of donor sperm. Since 1996, in Canada, donor semen must be frozen and quarantined. The sperm must then undergo various tests to detect diseases that could be transmitted to the mother and genetic anomalies that could be transmitted to the fetus.
In cases of severe infertility, sterility, or the presence of genetic diseases in the male, donor sperm will be used. A single woman or a lesbian couple can also use sperm donation in order to conceive. Sperm donation is always anonymous.
Go back to assisted procreation's page.
The information on this page was updated on August 6, 2010.
