The problem of infertility concerns not only women. Often in a family there are no children because of problems with reproductive function in a man. However, modern medicine offers a solution to this problem using IVF with donor sperm. This technique is considered one of the most effective in solving the problems of male infertility. If the husband’s sperm are not able to fertilize the wife’s egg, then the biological material of the donor is taken for the procedure.
Psychological problem
According to the experience of reproductive centers, IVF with donor sperm is in demand a little less than the same technology, but with the use of oocytes (not matured eggs). Sometimes it is difficult for women to psychologically decide on the step of bearing a child from an unknown donor. It is even more difficult for men to cross this barrier, but still there are enough people who want to undergo this procedure.
Many modern clinics have an extensive bank of donor sperm. Moreover, you can choose both domestic and foreign biomaterial. But there are no differences in the cell selection procedure.
Who is shown the procedure
A carefully thought-out program that helps childless couples acquire offspring - IVF with donor sperm. Indications for its use are as follows:
- If couples due to genetic predisposition or acquired factors cannot produce material suitable for fertilization.
- If parents have sexually transmitted diseases.
- If a man has an established diagnosis of complete infertility.
- If a man suffers from a genetic disease that is inherited.
Also, a woman’s desire to have a child is considered an indication, but she does not have a husband or a permanent sexual partner. Usually careerists resort to this kind of procedure. In this case, women do not want to start a family, and their goal is a child.
IVF with donor sperm is necessary for those couples whose attempts to fertilize their own were unsuccessful. Often a similar procedure is offered to couples who have undergone IVF-ICSI. In this case, sperm are removed from the testicles by biopsy. When three attempts are unsuccessful, the use of donor material is required.
It is important to understand that couples who decide and go through the whole procedure leave grateful comments to the clinic and their doctor.
Why no children
The reasons why a man is barren are very diverse. Often, the stronger sex is very kind to their male health. Sometimes, in the absence of children in the family, they blame the wife. When the doctor finds a problem in them, the men experience severe psychological stress and may even become depressed for a long time.
It happens that a barren person rushes to look for the cause of this condition. Specialists call mechanical injuries that were received in childhood, and illness, frequent factors affecting the occurrence of male infertility.
Non-obstructive azoospermia is also the most common cause when, in principle, there are no sperm in the ejaculate. Such a disease is not congenital, but appears as a result of untreated inflammatory processes that are localized in the genitourinary organs. As a result, spermatozoa mature, but cannot enter the testes, due to narrowing of the seminal ducts.
The cause of infertility may also be a complete lack of testicles. They were either removed as a result of tumor processes, or during surgery, when there was a serious injury.
The main thing is trust
When a couple decides to fertilize using IVF with donor sperm, reviews of medical facilities and specialists are crucial. It is important to carefully approach the issue of choosing a doctor. Making the right choice will help not only the grateful feedback from other couples, but also personal communication with the doctor.
IVF with donor sperm - features
The success of the procedure is largely determined by the mood of the woman and her state of health. Therefore, before planning the steam undergoes a thorough examination, excluding any pathology and possible problems. If everything is in order with health, then the process will be based on intrauterine insemination with biological material.
How does IVF happen with donor sperm:
- To stimulate the work of the ovaries, special injections are made to the egg donor .
- When the eggs are received, they, together with the selected sperm, are sent "to the hands" of the laboratory assistant.
- The specialist is preparing biological material for fertilization.
- The most motile and healthy sperm cells are artificially introduced into a mature egg, and then a miracle of the birth of a new life occurs.
- Within 3-5 days, the resulting embryos must mature.
- If there are a lot of them, then part can be frozen for a repeated IVF procedure, in case of failure.
- The most complete embryos are transferred to the uterine cavity.
It is important to understand that the probability of pregnancy the first time is not too high and is only 12%. But this indicator is considered quite successful, so you can not despair.
Possible risks
IVF with donor sperm is associated with risks for both the mother herself and the future fetus. It should be borne in mind that donor material is not the culprit in the problems. Sperm cells are carefully checked and only the highest quality are used for the procedure. Factors that cause deviations lie in the condition of the woman.
However, if we compare the ECO-ICSI and the procedure with donor sperm, then the likelihood that the future baby will develop malformations or other anomalies is much less in the latter case.
Installed Protocol
A carefully thought-out and specially designed protocol is the IVF procedure with donor sperm. The requirements for the donor in this case are quite extensive and cannot be underestimated, because they are developed at the state level.
When a couple decides on a procedure, she can be firmly convinced that the whole process from beginning to end is under the control of legislative acts. At the same time, the donor from whom the biomaterial is taken is completely healthy and does not have genetic pathologies.
Basic requirements for those who want to become a sperm donor:
- Men must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Before passing the basic tests confirming physical health, it is necessary to go through a narcologist and a psychiatrist to exclude psychological problems.
- Mandatory examination by a geneticist. Only after carrying out all the necessary tests can a specialist give a recommendation.
- After delivery of the biomaterial, he is sent to the laboratory for examination. Results must comply with all generally accepted standards.
In the case when oocytes are used, the use of so-called fresh sperm is allowed. IVF with donor sperm implies its cryopreservation. In this case, in this state it is at least six months.
After that, the biomaterial is thawed and re-tested. Only in this case can we guarantee the absence of pathogens of diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis and syphilis. If the results are negative, then the material is used for fertilization.
Donor Bank
If a man wants to become an official donor, then his material should undergo research on resistance to defrosting and repeated freezing. In the case when the result is satisfactory, a person can be brought to an official donor bank and offer ongoing cooperation.
Often couples order material from abroad. This is done in order to maximally exclude the likelihood of any relationship with a married couple who decided on the procedure.
It should be understood that the donor may wish to remain anonymous. However, this is not necessary. It is possible to take biomaterial from a man whom the couple offers herself. The main requirement in this case is the health and consistency of sperm with all biochemical parameters.
Desired Phenotype
For future parents who decide on artificial insemination, the appearance of the future baby is important. Many want him to be as similar as mom or dad. Such an opportunity is provided by IVF with donor sperm. Clinics with an extensive sperm bank, where there are profiles with photos, successfully select the appropriate phenotype. Specialists can accurately tell what traits the child will inherit from the donor.
However, the opportunity to see a photograph is not always present, because many wish to remain anonymous donors. In this case, there is also a way out. Doctors make a choice based on the following data:
- race
- body characteristics, height and weight.
- hair and eye color;
- blood type;
- rhesus factor;
- type of appearance;
- intellectual opportunities are clarified on the basis of data on the workplace and position.
Depending on the clinic, the donor base can be significantly expanded and have more complete information. Then, when selecting sperm, you can take into account the shape of the nose, mouth and eye shape in a child. Some, while remaining anonymous, leave their children's photos, which also helps in choosing.
If parents wish to use the biomaterial of a foreign donor, in this case all possible information about him is provided. Among other requirements, parents are presented with a voice recording, a description of their abilities and predispositions for art, sports and an IQ score.
Often, parents choose a donor whose indicators are as close to them as possible. The similarity is important not only with the type of appearance, but also with character. At the same time, an experienced specialist will always help the couple make the best choice.
Program cost
Thanks to the improvement and development of medicine, even infertile couples have gained the opportunity to become parents. However, the cost of the IVF procedure is quite high (from 100 thousand rubles), so not everyone can afford to pay it. The specific price varies significantly and depends on the status of the clinic and venue.
Unfortunately, IVF IVM with donor sperm in our country is not yet done. But, a married couple will be able to take advantage of state support for infertile couples and all insurance and analysis related services will be paid by the insurance company. Only the use of donor biological material will need to be paid on your own.
Couples reviews
Those who did IVF with donor sperm quite often leave feedback about the clinic and its specialists.
Clinic "ECO Mom". Patients note an extensive donor base. In this case, not only the man is examined, but also his parents, which excludes genetic pathologies. It is important for women that donor profiles are complete, there is all the data on the character, photo and voice recording. Reviews often mention that there is access to the largest foreign donor bank.
Among the negative reviews, a certain importunity and the inability to get acquainted with the donor bank without participation in the program are mentioned.
Clinic "Altravita". IVF with donor sperm reviews in this clinic is mostly positive. Couples like to join the all-inclusive program, which includes cost and donor sperm. You can also use the services of insurance companies by paying for the use of biomaterial. Of the minuses, an inconvenient time is noted.
Nova Clinics. Reviews mark affordable prices and the correctness of all medical personnel. Couples like that specialists explain everything in detail, help to choose the best donor. Attentive doctors explain in detail the essence of the procedure and answer all questions. Among the shortcomings is the inability to see the photo of the donor, but the result is always satisfactory.
Finally
If a man is diagnosed with infertility, and no alternative methods have helped to conceive a child, then IVF with donor sperm will be an indication. Moreover, the couple can plan more than one pregnancy. In this case, experts recommend purchasing two servings of the material from one donor at once. The first is used for fertilization, and the second is sent for cryopreservation. In the case of repeated pregnancy, the similarity of brothers or sisters will be as large as possible.
Clinics that offer the procedure have everything you need. However, most medical facilities do not sell biomaterial to outsiders. It is possible to use its storage after entering the protocol and signing the contract for the provision of services in this clinic.
It is important to understand that the procedures are paid, but many institutions make discounts on repeated ones in case of failure. You can take advantage of the state support program, but in this case you need to queue. The insurance company covers the costs of the necessary tests that prepare the procedure. However, the couple will have to pay for the use of donor material on their own.