Preparation for Therapeutic Donor Insemination (TDI prep)

TDI preparation is very similar to IUI preparation.


Donor sperm is purchased from a variety of different cryobanks across the nation. The samples are sent to us with all the pertinent information we need for processing the sample. 2 different types of samples are sent to us: (1) ICI ready and (2) IUI ready.


ICI ready samples are unwashed samples that are cryopreserved at a sperm bank. Generally they are cheaper than IUI ready samples because they take less time to process at the bank, but more time to process in our labs. These particular specimens need to be thawed according to the protocol put in place by the sperm bank. Once the specimen is thawed a drop is placed on a slide to calculate the thawed ToMo. The sample is then washed and counted as above.


IUI ready samples are ready for insemination post thaw. These samples are thawed according to protocol and a drop is placed on a slide so that the thawed ToMo can be calculated. From there the sample is removed from the vial or straw it came in and is placed in a small tube. The sample is ready for insemination.