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Therapeutic Donor Sperm Insemination
In cases where the male partner is sterile,
has a very low sperm count, or there is a possibility of male-linked genetic
abnormality, or if no male partner is available, anonymous donor sperm may be
used. For patients with a very severe male factor, or if the male partner has
had a vasectomy, using donor sperm is an economical alternative to IVF with
ICSI.
Some patients decide to use donor sperm when multiple ICSI cycles have failed.
Donor semen is available from a number of
very reliable and trustworthy sperm banks. For more information about sperm
banks, please click on the links below:
Sperm
donors are tested for transmissible diseases, such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, as
well as their blood type. The sperm is quarantined for six months, and the donor
is retested for infections. Only then, if the tests remain negative, is their
donated sperm made available for insemination. Physical characteristics, such as
hair color, skin tone, and eye color as well as blood type of the sperm donor
are matched for the male partner.
An alternative is the use of known donor
sperm from a friend or relative. We recommend that the donor undergoes testing
as with anonymous donors and we recommend highly that the sperm be quarantined
for six months before use. However, you may choose to forgo this waiting period
if you are willing to assume the small but finite risk that you may be exposing
yourself to a potentially serious health problem.
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