Which statement correctly describes the mechanism of intrauterine insemination (IUI) compared with in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

• A. IUI places prepared sperm into the uterus around ovulation; IVF involves retrieval, laboratory fertilization (IVF/ICSI), and embryo transfer
• B. IUI bypasses the uterus and fertilizes in the lab
• C. IUI uses donor eggs
• D. IVF occurs without embryo transfer

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is how IUI and IVF differ in where fertilization happens and how embryos are handled. Intrauterine insemination places prepared sperm into the uterus around ovulation to boost the chance of natural fertilization inside the body. In vitro fertilization retrieves the eggs, fertilizes them in the laboratory (IVF or with ICSI), and then transfers the resulting embryos back into the uterus. So this description matches best because IUI introduces sperm into the uterus near ovulation, while IVF involves egg retrieval, lab fertilization, and embryo transfer. Statements claiming IUI bypasses the uterus, fertilizes in the lab, uses donor eggs, or that IVF occurs without embryo transfer don’t reflect how these procedures actually work.