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When browsing through the extensive&nbsp;list of <a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/find-donor/search-sperm-donors/">sperm donors</a>, you will&nbsp;notice&nbsp;the types&nbsp;of sperm each donor has available. This indicator&nbsp;helps to&nbsp;determine the price but&nbsp;also&nbsp;determines&nbsp;the best method for insemination. Here we discuss the <a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/blog/iui-ready-ici-ready-sperm/">difference between ICI sperm and IUI sperm</a> to help you&nbsp;better understand the&nbsp;lab&nbsp;processes.

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<h2>ICI-ready donor sperm (Intracervical Insemination)</h2>
ICI-ready sperm is sperm that is unwashed. This means that&nbsp;the natural seminal fluid and cells are together with the <a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/donor-sperm/using-a-sperm-donor-to-get-pregnant/">donor sperm</a> instead of &ldquo;washed&rdquo; or removed. This is ideal for <a title="Read more about home insemination" href="/en-us/us-shop/client/how-to/home-insemination/">home insemination</a> because your body will handle the sperm naturally, just as it would during intercourse. You would choose ICI-ready sperm unless your favorite donor only has IUI-ready straws available. IUI can be used too, but ICI straws are preferred by most buyers because they are more cost-effective. ICI straws will need to be washed if they are to be used for IUI or&nbsp;<a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/blog/ivf-treatment-cryos-explains/">IVF treatments</a>. 
<h3>Relevant guides for home insemination</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/how-to/home-insemination/guide-on-how-to-make-home-insemination-successful/">How to perform home insemination</a></li>
<li><a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/how-to/home-insemination/cost-of-home-insemination/">The cost of home insemination</a></li>
<li><a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/how-to/home-insemination/at-home-insemination-kit/">At home insemination kit</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>IUI-ready donor sperm (Intrauterine Insemination)</h2>
IUI-ready sperm means that the sperm has been washed. Before cryopreservation, the sperm cells are separated from the seminal fluid through density gradients, washed and then added to a cryo-preservative medium. This type of sperm is typically used for an&nbsp;IUI procedure (and fertility treatments such as IVF). This is because those&nbsp;treatments require washed sperm that has been cleaned of its seminal fluid.&nbsp;ICI straws will need to be washed&nbsp;by your clinic&nbsp;if they are to be used for IUI or IVF treatments. 
<h2>What is the difference between IUI and ICI straws?</h2>
The difference between IUI and ICI straws is whether the natural ejaculate fluids have been removed and if a cryo-preservative has been added. The IUI straw is washed and ready for insemination, unlike the ICI straw which is unwashed. Which one to choose depends on the type of treatment as well as the fertility clinic&rsquo;s preferences, as some clinics prefer to wash the donor sperm themselves.
Many people start with ICI or IUI treatment, follow the link to read about&nbsp;<a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/blog/iui-vs-ici-procedure-how-does-it-work/">ICI vs IUI and what separates the procedure from each other</a>.
<h3>More information about IUI-ready and ICI-ready donor sperm</h3>
Cryos strives to provide you with the knowledge you need to know when it comes to <a href="/en-us/us-shop/client/blog/how-to-choose-a-sperm-donor-the-ultimate-guide/">choosing the right sperm donor</a>. If you have any questions, please email us at <a href="mailto:usa@cryosinternational.com">usa@cryosinternational.com</a>, chat with us on our website, or give us a call at (407) 203-1175. Leave a comment and&nbsp;tell&nbsp;us&nbsp;what other topics you would like to see.

IUI and ICI sperm straws

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If you are just starting your journey of finding a sperm donor,&nbsp;it can be confusing.&nbsp;Cryos is here to walk you through the differences between IUI and ICI-ready sperm straws to determine which&nbsp;one&nbsp;is right for you.&nbsp;