Human immunodeficiency virus transmission through artificial insemination.

Six human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) seropositive semen donors were identified during an antibody screening program initiated at an artificial insemination clinic in New York City in 1985. A total of 176 women underwent artificial insemination with fresh semen from these six donors between 1978 and mid-1985. Of these 176 women, 134 women were HIV-1 antibody tested and 1 was found to be seropositive; she denied all other AIDS-associated risk behavior and her husband was seronegative. The results of this investigation provide additional evidence that HIV-1 transmission can occur through artificial insemination with semen from an infected donor although the risk of HIV-1 transmission appears to be lower than that reported by other investigators. It is clear that HIV-1 screening of all potential semen donors should be routine practice whenever artificial insemination is performed.