Treatments with donor gametes

Artificial insemination involves placing sperm in the uterus during ovulation. The sperm is injected into the uterus through a thin catheter threaded through the cervix. Either partner’s sperm or donor sperm can be used.

Ovulation usually occurs monthly, about two weeks before menstruation. Ovulation can be measured with special ovulation tests. If the menstrual cycle is irregular, medication may be needed to stimulate ovulation.

In vitro fertilization, also known as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), is an advanced fertility treatment that helps people conceive.

Sometimes donor sperm is needed for IVF, but the treatment itself is otherwise the same as conventional IVF:

1. Ovarian Stimulation: The ovaries are stimulated with hormonal medication to produce multiple follicles.
2. Egg Retrieval: When the follicles are fully mature, the eggs are removed by suction with special equipment in an operating room. They are counted and placed in an incubator.
3. Semen Analysis: On the same day as the egg retrieval, a semen sample needs to be provided if donor sperm is not being used. The sample is processed in the lab, and the sperm are cleaned and stored until fertilization later that day.
4. Fertilization: The eggs are fertilized with sperm in the lab. This can be done through conventional fertilization, where sperm and eggs are mixed together, or through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected into each mature egg.
5. Embryo Culturing: The fertilized eggs (embryos) are cultured for up to six days.
6. Embryo Transfer: An embryo is placed in the uterus on culture day two, three, or five. The embryos that are not transferred and meet certain criteria can be frozen and possibly used later.
7. Pregnancy Test: Approximately two weeks after the transfer, it will be determined if pregnancy has occurred.

When egg quality is inadequate or it is not possible to use one’s own eggs for some reason, donor eggs can usually be used. Frozen donor eggs from international egg banks can be used, and eggs can also be donated locally.

When donor eggs are used, they are fertilized with either the partner’s sperm or donor sperm.

The preparation for the embryo transfer with donor eggs is the same as for other embryos.

There are cases where both donor eggs and sperm are needed. In such instances, IVF is required.

Preparation for the embryo transfer is then the same as for other embryos.