Final answer:
Artificial insemination is an assisted reproductive technology for treating infertility, involving the insertion of sperm into a woman's uterus. It is useful for couples with low sperm counts or no sperm, allows gender selection, and is related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices, which may be used when other ART methods fail.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artificial insemination is a technique used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) for treating infertility. This process involves the direct insertion of sperm into a woman's uterus. Depending on the circumstances, semen can be artificially collected and concentrated, with the separation of X and Y spermatozoa possible for gender selection. The technique is beneficial for oligospermic or azoo-spermic couples, providing an avenue towards parenthood. Furthermore, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are closely related procedures that assist in the conception process when natural methods fail or are not feasible.
In cases such as blocked fallopian tubes, immunological infertility, or unsuccessful prior ART attempts, IVF becomes particularly significant. Through IVF, oocytes are fertilized by sperm outside the body, resulting in embryos that can be transferred back into the uterus or preserved for the future. This advanced medical practice has allowed couples facing infertility to have a chance at bearing children. The success of artificial insemination and related techniques depends on several factors, including sperm quality which implies that semen should be from a well-built, well-nourished donor with a high fertility pedigree.