What types of vials are right for my treatment plan?
Choosing the right vial type is an important decision when undergoing fertility treatment with donor sperm. Sussex Sperm Bank (SxSB) offers a wide range of vial types to choose from, including IUI, ICI, ART, and ICSI. Each type of vial has its own unique benefits and is designed to be used in different fertility procedures.
In this blog, we will discuss the various vial types offered at SxSB and the pricing to help guide you in your decision-making process. First, let’s start with the various vial types offered.
Vial Type – IUI
IUI vials are the most commonly used types of donor sperm samples. They are suitable for all types of fertility treatments, making them a great option for individuals or couples undergoing insemination with donor sperm. IUI vials have been washed and processed to remove any seminal fluid and concentrate the sperm for optimum quality and viability. These vials have a total motile sperm guarantee of 10 million and are sold in 0.5ml concentration.
Vial Type ICI
ICI vials, although less common, can be used for all types of fertility treatments. ICI vials are unwashed and will require washing by your fertility lab before your procedure to remove any non-sperm elements. Although less common than IUI vials, ICI vials are just as effective and offer a viable option for those looking to conceive. ICI vials have a total motile sperm guarantee of 15 million and are sold in 1ml concentration.
Vial Type IUI ART & ICI ART
ART vials are a specialised type of donor sperm vial that contain a lower number of motile sperm cells in comparison to standard IUI and ICI vials. There are both washed and unwashed ART vials available. These vials are an excellent option for IVF treatments and can sometimes be used for insemination treatment cycles as well. If ART vials are the only ones available for your chosen donor, it may be possible to use multiple vials for other treatment types. However, we strongly recommend speaking with your healthcare team before making a purchase. We offer IUI ART vials sold in 0.5ml volumes with 4-9 million motile sperm cells and ICI ART vials sold in 0.5ml volumes with 5-14 million motile cells.
Vial Type ICSI
ICSI vials the most highly specialized type of donor sperm vial we offer, and they contain a limited number of motile sperm cells. These are washed vials but contain significantly fewer total motile cells than other washed vials. They are a great option for those undergoing ICSI treatments where higher sperm counts are not necessary. Our ICSI vials are sold in 0.5ml volumes with 1-4 million motile sperm cells.
Next, here is the pricing breakdown for each vial type and shipping:
| Vial Type | Price (GBP – excluding VAT) |
| IUI | 950 |
| ICI | 950 |
| ART | 850 |
| ICSI | 750 |
As part of the donor selection process, you will also be required to purchase what is known as a Family Slot to ensure your favourite donor is available for the length of your treatment cycle. Family slots are £500 plus VAT and allotted to you for the duration of your treatment. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions and our Blog for more in-depth information on this.
In the UK all donors are limited to a maximum of 10 families in the UK. These slots ensure we are in compliance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) policy which limits the number of families used by one sperm donor.
We are committed to providing you with exceptional service and support throughout your fertility journey. Our team will work diligently with you and your clinic to ensure that your donor specimens are delivered in time for your insemination procedure. You can trust us to handle the logistics so that you can focus on what matters most – starting or growing your family.
We offer delivery to your clinic from our Lab in Hove for a fixed rate of £120.00 regardless of where your clinic is in the UK.
We recommend you speak with your healthcare team about your personalised treatment plan before purchasing vials. If you have questions on getting started, or about available vials for your preferred donor of choice, please contact our Client Services team at [email protected] or by phone 01273 620165.
updated 27.10.26