Who Can Get a Sperm Donation?
Sperm donations are necessary for males who have zero sperm count or poor sperm morphology that prevents them from producing viable sperm. (You can look at our article about Azospermia)
Males who have had Mumps or other illnesses from a young age involving high temperatures can have certain issues with their fertility. Males who were born with ascended testicles require an operation, as when the testicles develop in the abdomen during pregnancy, they then drop down into the scrotum. Sometimes, part of the fetal structure fails to detach from the abdomen, resulting in an upward pull on the testicle. This then requires surgery in order to return the testicle.
Cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery on the testicles may have sperm donation as their only option. Anabolic medication such as steroids can also lead to the deterioration of sperm. This is because of the way it can affect the tissue in the testicles vulnerably.
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“There is unfortunately no treatment to improve sperm quality or quantity.”
These patients who have poor sperm quality or no sperm can have their own child using donated sperm. Before concluding that sperm donation is the only option, there are other fertility treatments that attempt to gain better quality of sperm.
Masturbation is the first option when obtaining a viable sperm sample. The sperm sample may show no sperm or low motility sperm. In that case, with the guidance of a urologist, who can perform a prostate massage, we collect sperm and view them under a microscope for viable cells. If this is unsuccessful, surgery is necessary. There are different techniques available such as TESE, microTESE, TESA, MESA and PESA. We offer these procedures at Crown IVF clinic, and have succeeded time and time again in obtaining viable sperm samples.
How Do Sperm Donations Work?
When couples choose to have a child through a sperm donation, at Crown IVF we first provide them information about the donor sperm details. These involve blood tests and the risks involved with treatment. Before beginning treatment, couples are obliged to sign a contract stating that they are both consenting and that they are satisfied with the information. In the first instance, we give more detailed information to the couples about sperm donations and the donor sperm. Details of the donor sperm are the screening results and the quality of the sperm. After these papers have been signed, the couple prepares for treatment.
With Sperm Donations, IVF or IUI is Applied
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the more detailed option of the two. We lead the female’s hormone stimulation to increase the number of eggs, and once the eggs are ready, we collect them. Afterwards, we carry out ICSI with the donor sperm to prepare the embryos for the transfer.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) with donated sperm involves a laboratory procedure to separate fast moving sperm from more sluggish or non-moving sperm After that, we inseminate it into the female during once ovulation begins. IUI carries a success of 20%.
Sperm Bank
When sperm donation was introduced to Cyprus, our collaboration with Cryos International Sperm Bank in Denmark began. Cryos are an accredited sperm bank that provide a wide choice of sperm from donors and work up to European standards.
Tests For Sperm Donors
Sperm donor candidates are screened for genetic diseases and other detailed tests such as the screening for sexual transmitted diseases. Also carried out are psychological tests, family characteristics, and recording physical traits. Once these are successfully passed by the candidate, only then can they become a sperm donor.
List of Tests for Sperm Donors
- Medical history of family
- Chromosome test
- Psychological profiling
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Drug use
- HIV
- HTLV
- Hepatitis B and C
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- CMV Cytomegalovirus
- Thalassemia
Once these tests are performed and they meet the necessary criterion, we take the sperm sample from the donor, and wash and separate them into vials. The sample is then frozen. We ask the donors to undergo the same blood tests again after 6 months. If the testing confirms once again that all is clear, the sperm bank can then sell the sperm samples. Cryos have a particular criterion with their sperm donors producing good quality sperm, but a successful pregnancy is also dependent on the female as well. If the mother is also a good candidate and responds positively to treatment, then the chances of successful pregnancy is over 60%.
For more information on Sperm Donations, contact us via form or WhatsApp!