Chapter 27, Page 4

The Donor Semen Sample - Fresh or Frozen?

Traditionally, gynecologists have used fresh semen samples (ejaculated recently} for TID. However, using fresh semen samples for TID can be hazardous to the patient's health. It is best to use frozen cryopreserved, tested samples from a sperm bank for TID. It used to be felt that pregnancy rates with frozen samples were poor as compared to fresh samples. However, recent studies have shown that if the frozen samples contain a sufficient number of motile sperm, pregnancy rates with fresh and frozen samples are comparable.

Common problems

  • To tell or not to tell friends and family
  • The need to explain to employers and co-workers the need to arrive late, leave early, take time off - without being able to give a reason why
  • to deal with an erratic ovulation cycle caused by anxiety
  • to keep your sexual relationship on an even keel
  • to work out a plan when one partner wants TID and the other does not

    Disadvantages of fresh semen

  • There are no records of the donors and no information as to his medical and family history
  • It's impossible to match the physical traits of the donor and the husband
  • Using known donors can lead to rocky legal, emotional and ego problems
  • The quality of the sample is always suspect, but beggars can't be choosers
  • It could be difficult to produce a donor at the critical time and occasionally a treatment cycle has to run dry
  • The specter of transmission of AIDS looms large since fresh semen cannot be tested for AIDS.

Advantages of frozen sperm(according to the American Society for Reproductive medicine guidelines).

  • No risk of STD and AIDS as the samples are quarantined for three months and the donors are retested
  • Around the clock availability; no scheduling bottle necks.
  • High quality product since it is tested before and after freezing
  • Rh negative donors can be used for Rh negative women
  • Physical traits of husband and donor can be matched
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Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility