Artificial insemination

Artificial insemination, introduction of sperm into the vagina by means other than copulation. The technique, widely used for breeding livestock as it produces many offspring from 1 selected male, has a limited use in treating human impotence and sterility. In humans, the procedure is timed to coincide with the woman's ovulation. If she has a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, insemination should be performed as many as 3 times between the 10th and the 14th days of the cycle.