Different Vial Types:

If you have been curious about using sperm donors to help start your family, you may have gone and looked at the prices of vials and noticed there are several different types available. What is an IUI, ICI, and ICSI vial? This blog will let you know about the differences between each one, so that it can guide you in figuring out which vial is best for you.

The difference between IUI (Intrauterine insemination) and ICI (intracervical Insemination) vials are that IUI vials go through a “washing” procedure utilizing gradient separation methods, resulting in vials that are nothing but the sperm and stabilizing media that’s safe for the uterus is in each IUI vial. At Cryobank America, we guarantee 25 Million cells per milliliter (25M/ml) in our IUI vials, which are sold in in half Mils (0.5ml) units. IUI specimens can be safely placed directly into the uterus by your treating physician because there are no “round” cells or other “junk” in it (that causes cramping). These units are also ideal for use in at-home inseminations (placed near the top of the vagina and cervix). We will give you everything needed as well as instructions to be able to do this if you choose to go that route!

ICI vials are vials that have been washed, but have not undergone gradient separation steps, which remove the non-motile sperm cells, round cells, and other junk found in the ejaculate. At Cryobank America, we guarantee 17 Million cells per milliliter (17M/ml) and are sold in one milliliter (1ml) vials. ICI units are typically used for at-home insemination since these specimens cannot be placed into the uterus (due to severe cramping). Also, some fertility clinics prefer to wash their patient’s specimens in-house (usually at an additional cost to the patient), therefore these units contain one milliliter of specimen as opposed to IUI units, which are sold in half milliliter units (0.5ml). I personally recommend to our clients that they purchase IUI units since they can work for a normal IUI or an at-home insemination if preferred.

A.R.T., or artificial reproductive technology, vials are lower quantity units. At Cryobank America, we guarantee 6-24 M/ml for IUI ART units and 6-16 M/ml for ICI ART units. These vials are priced lower since they contain fewer progressively motile sperm cells.

Lastly, IVF vials, also known as ICSI vials, undergo our wash process and are guaranteed 1-6 Million per milliliter. These units are recommended for clients utilizing in-vitro fertilization or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection procedures, where only a few sperm are needed.

If you still have questions concerning vial type and differences between the types, please contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable Cryobank America staff members today!

Email us at in**@cr*************.com or give us a call at 817-945-8708

All pricing can be found at https://cryobankamerica.com/pricing/