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Donor insemination explained
Donor insemination (DI) is an assisted fertilisation technique in which sperm are provided by a donor rather than from the woman's usual partner
Donor insemination may be appropriate where a couple are unable to have a child due to male factor infertility (30 per cent of infertile couples) such as absent sperm. It is also used where there is a high probability of passing on a genetic abnormality or of rhesus blood group incompatibility. The procedure also allows a woman to conceive a child if she does not have a male partner, maybe because she is single or in a same sex relationship. Donors are usually anonymous, although known donors may be used, in which case it is important to agree in advance what parental responsibility the biological father will have, if any. Children born from eggs, sperm or embryos donated since April 2005 will be able to find out who the donor was, by law, once they reach the age of 18.
Donors are screened for sexually transmissible infections, genetic abnormalities and, in some centres, for hereditary conditions such as cystic fibrosis. All centres using donor sperm are required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to freeze samples for six months 'quarantine' before use so that HIV testing can be repeated. Usually, the sperm donor is selected so that his characteristics (for example, hair and eye colour, ethnicity and blood group if required) match those of the female's partner.
The technique involves placing the donor sperm directly into the cervical canal (or uterus) using a vaginal speculum to view the area. Insemination is carried out once or twice during a woman's fertile time of the month, as close to ovulation as possible. Sometimes fertility drugs are needed to stimulate ovulation.
Success rates with DI are seven per cent per treatment cycle, and 15 per cent per patient over all, although rates vary from clinic to clinic.
Clinics offering DI are closely monitored by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
Useful links
Infertility Network UK (formed from the merger of CHILD and ISSUE)
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)
Success rates for individual clinics are available from the
HFEA
Donor insemination may be appropriate where a couple are unable to have a child due to male factor infertility (30 per cent of infertile couples) such as absent sperm. It is also used where there is a high probability of passing on a genetic abnormality or of rhesus blood group incompatibility. The procedure also allows a woman to conceive a child if she does not have a male partner, maybe because she is single or in a same sex relationship. Donors are usually anonymous, although known donors may be used, in which case it is important to agree in advance what parental responsibility the biological father will have, if any. Children born from eggs, sperm or embryos donated since April 2005 will be able to find out who the donor was, by law, once they reach the age of 18.
Donors are screened for sexually transmissible infections, genetic abnormalities and, in some centres, for hereditary conditions such as cystic fibrosis. All centres using donor sperm are required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to freeze samples for six months 'quarantine' before use so that HIV testing can be repeated. Usually, the sperm donor is selected so that his characteristics (for example, hair and eye colour, ethnicity and blood group if required) match those of the female's partner.
The technique involves placing the donor sperm directly into the cervical canal (or uterus) using a vaginal speculum to view the area. Insemination is carried out once or twice during a woman's fertile time of the month, as close to ovulation as possible. Sometimes fertility drugs are needed to stimulate ovulation.
Success rates with DI are seven per cent per treatment cycle, and 15 per cent per patient over all, although rates vary from clinic to clinic.
Clinics offering DI are closely monitored by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
Useful links
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Created: 04/03/2004 Updated: 05/10/2007
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