Therapeutic donor insemination (TDI, sperm donation) is a treatment for male infertility, and other conditions, provided by Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Center of Virginia. Donor sperm samples are obtained from one of several sperm donation banks. We recommend the California Cryobank (CCB), which will provide a brochure with details about their sperm donor program (800-231-3373). Other donor sperm agencies that we recommend include Fairfax Cryobank (800-338-8407) and New England Cryogenic Center (NECC) (800-911-4999). Other sperm banks can be chosen after making special arrangements with Dr. Thomas, Laboratory Director, at 434-982-8530.
Sperm donors are screened for many known genetic and infectious diseases including hepatitis, gonorrhea, and HIV. Donor sperm samples are frozen and sperm donors are retested after six months, before the donor sperm is released, to prevent disease transmission (see the sperm bank brochure for details).
All sperm donors are tested for cytomegalovirus (CMV). This information is displayed in the donor catalog from CCB, it is on the Fairfax Cryobank Web site, and available as a separate document from NECC. CMV is a common virus similar to the virus that causes chickenpox. Approximately 50% of adults in this country have been infected by this virus and usually it does not cause symptoms. If a sperm donor is infected with CMV, antibodies will be present in his blood.
If a patient does not have immunity to CMV, using donated sperm from a sperm donor who is CMV antibody positive (either IgG or IgM antibodies) creates a small, but real, risk of a dangerous CMV infection in the newborn. The precise degree of risk is unknown; however, it is very low. We require patients to select only donor sperm samples that are CMV negative. If the only sperm sample that matches specific ethnic or racial needs is CMV positive, let the treating physician know. For more information about CMV visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site at http//www.CDC.GOV/CMV/.
The state-of-the-art method for using donor sperm insemination is placement of the sperm sample into the uterus in a procedure termed intrauterine insemination (IUI). Donor sperm samples must be processed in the laboratory before being used in IUI. That process is called "sperm washing" which helps prevent potentially serious allergic reactions. Patients select either an IUI or ICI (intracervical) donor sperm sample.
IUI donor sperm samples have already been washed and ICI donor sperm samples have not been washed. Washing donor sperm for ICI can be performed in our laboratory. We encourage patients to purchase “IUI ready” donor sperm samples because it is easier for us and is less expensive for patients. When specimens are "washed" in our laboratory, human serum albumin (HSA) is used as a source of protein for the process which improves the quality of the donor sperm sample. HSA is derived from the non cellular component of human blood that has been sterilized. There has never been a documented case of disease transmission related to the use of HSA.
There is a less than 1% risk of developing an infection in the uterus and/or fallopian tubes with any IUI procedure (this is unrelated to screening for the various infections discussed above).
Donor sperm insemination is performed on the first or second cycle day just prior to ovulation, takes 15 minutes, and is painless. Normal activities may be resumed after the IUI. The timing of the insemination is determined either by an ovulation predictor kit or by a hormone injection administered by our staff. Ovulation predictor kits are available from most pharmacies and our patients usually choose Clear Blue Easy. Follow the kit instructions and call in when the kit "changes". If the kit has not changed by the expected mid cycle time, call and schedule a sonogram.
Using two donor sperm samples probably increases the chances for conception. Insemination may be performed on two consecutive days or two donor sperm samples may be used in one insemination.
Patients usually purchase one donor sperm sample and if conception does not occur promptly another is purchased. To schedule the donor sperm insemination call our office (434-982-8520) between 8am and 9am weekdays and between 7am and 8am on weekends (please do not call before 7am). We do the IUI and ICS donor sperm inseminations 362 days a year-taking off Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years day. When calling on the weekend our answering service will respond and we will return the call. On the day of donor sperm insemination the sample will be picked up from our laboratory which is located just down the hall from our office. We request that all patients have a photo ID and know their donors number.
- Order pre washed or IUI ready donor sperm samples
- Order only CMV negative samples
- Have donor samples delivered to us on weekdays
- Call between 8am and 9am weekdays, 7am to 8am weekends when your predictor kit changes to schedule insemination
Martha Jefferson Reproductive Technology Laboratory
595 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300
Charlottesville, VA 22911
434-982-8530
