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INTRODUCTION
Artificial insemination with donor sperm (TDI) is one alternative
for couples with male factor infertility. It is a very commonly
performed procedure, with 15-20,000 children born annually as a
result of TDI.
DONOR SPECIMENS
All sperm utilized in our Center is obtained from one of several
large and reputable sperm banks. These facilities are all FDA approved.
Donors are typically young professionals (e.g., medical or law students,
professors, etc.) who are extensively screened by questionnaire,
genetic screening, and exam. Any potential donor with a significant
family medical history, questionable social history, or abnormal
chromosomes is excluded.
All sperm samples are frozen and quarantined for six months prior
to release for use for TDI. this allows for effective screening
for HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis, chlamydia and other
potentially transmittable diseases.
A computerized list of all available specimens is maintained in
Heartland Laboratory and Andrology Services. Each couple may examine
this list and choose the donor that best matches their physical
(height, weight, blood type, hair color, eye color, etc.) and social
(religion, level of education, ethnicity, etc.) characteristics.
THE PROCEDURE
1. Be sure that by the first or second day of your cycle you have
ordered, or have available in the lab, the necessary sperm samples.
(Your physician will tell you how many samples you will need per
month.
2. Call and notify your physician's office on the first day or two
of your period. (Whether or not fertility medications are used is
individualized and must be discussed with your physician). The timing
of your inseminations, whether they are based on the use of an ovulation
predictor or ultrasound, will be determined and the inseminations
scheduled. One or two inseminations are performed per month, including
weekends if necessary.
3. The insemination itself is a simple office
procedure, usually performed by a nurse. A speculum is
placed in the vagina as it would be for a routine Gyn exam. The
sperm sample, which has been washed and processed, is
then drawn into a small syringe and deposited in the uterus through
a small plastic catheter. After 10 minutes of lying of the exam
table, you may get dressed and resume normal activity.
CONFIDENTIALITY
There will be no way for you to ever identify the donor, nor for
the donor to identify you. Proper consent forms must be signed,
but once you become pregnant, that child is legally the heir of
the couple in all rights and respects. No adoption is necessary.
Whether or not you disclose the information that conception occurred
as a result of TDI is strictly up to you. For those choosing not
to tell the child about the use of TDI, it is recommended that no
one be told.
RISKS
The chances of a congenital anomaly are the same as the general
population experiences- about 3-4%. The chances of a miscarriage
are also normal - about 15-20%. Some cramping may be experienced
following TDI, but this is usually minimal. Although all reasonable
precautions and preventive measures are followed, there is no guarantee
that infection will not occur.
CHANCES OF SUCCESS
Given normal female fertility, 15-20% of couples will conceive per
month. If unsuccessful after 4-6 tries, further evaluation and treatment
may be warranted.
If a couple does conceive, they may want to consider ordering additional
samples from the same donor for later use in attempts to establish
subsequent pregnancies.
COSTS
Costs for TDI will vary based upon the sperm bank selected and the
number of inseminations per cycle. The costs of the samples is detailed
in the list of available donors. For cost information, please consult
the business office and/or the Heartland Laboratory and Andrology
Services.
© 2005 Jarrett Fertility Group |
