APA Dictionary of Psychology

the use of medical or surgical techniques to achieve conception by introducing sperm into the female reproductive system. In humans, this is done by introducing sperm collected from a woman’s partner or from an anonymous donor (hence called donor insemination) into the vagina or through the cervical opening directly into the uterus. As with intercourse, artificial insemination may need to be done more than once for pregnancy to occur. It is usually scheduled to coincide with the days of ovulation to maximize success.