Donor Sperm IVF

Donor sperm provides a viable path to parenthood for couples with significant barriers to getting pregnant. Dr. Mark Rispler and Dr. Joshua J. Berger will first rule out other male fertility treatment options, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, prior to recommending donor sperm. Once you have decided to pursue this line of treatment, your doctor will explain the screening process, and emotional implications associated with donor sperm.

Artificial insemination, or intrauterine insemination (IUI), with donor sperm is an option for women that do not have other causes of female infertility. When barriers exist that rule out IUI, your doctor will explain the use of donor sperm with in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

A recommendation for IVF stems from certain female causes of infertility.

Fertility testing, including vaginal sonograms, hysterosalpingogram and blood work, will help bring to light conditions that necessitate IVF in conjunction with donor sperm: blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or other causes of female infertility.

Selecting a Sperm Donor for IVF

Once you decide to employ donor sperm in conjunction with IVF, you will choose between anonymous and known sperm donors. Innovative Fertility Center provides a list of reputable sperm banks, and recommends that you consider the following list of criteria in selecting your source:

• Choose a sperm bank accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).
• Expect to use frozen sperm. This FDA-mandated precaution allows for thorough screening for disease and inheritable genetic disorders prior to freezing; a quarantine period of at least six months; and additional screening at the point of transfer.
• If you choose to use a known donor, we suggest insisting on the same rigorous screening the FDA requires of anonymous donors.
• Counseling can help you come to terms with the decision to use a sperm donor.

Donor Sperm and IVF

A cycle of IVF involves five stages over approximately a 6-week period: ovulation suppression, ovulation induction, egg retrieval, egg fertilization with donor sperm and embryo transfer.

Coordinated care between your fertility center and the sperm bank is essential to a successful cycle of IVF. Preparation and transfer of frozen donor sperm must meet the high standards of Innovative Fertility Center’s IVF lab. Your doctor will provide a list of criteria and instructions prior to initiating fertility treatment cycle.

Who is a Candidate for IVF with Donor Sperm?

• Couples in which no sperm is present in the male partner due to blocked ducts, testicular failure after cancer treatment, or azoospermia (absence of sperm).
• Couples affected by Rh factors
• Single women
• Lesbian couples
• Couples that have a known genetic disease they do not want to pass on to their children. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is an alternative to donor sperm.

Sperm donation has helped infertile couples start their families for over a century. If you are considering IVF with donor sperm, your doctor will explain the fertility testing protocols that precede the cycle. Contact the Manhattan Beach fertility clinic to learn more about your options for getting pregnant with donor sperm.