Sperm Recipients
Artificial Insemination using Donor Sperm (DI)
Donor Insemination (DI) is one of the oldest treatments for infertility. It has been used in Britain for at least fifty years. Throughout the world, several hundred thousand children have been born following DI. In DI, semen donated by fertile men is used to help women become pregnant. The woman and the donor do not usually meet but any children born as a result of the donation may choose to contact the donor when they reach adulthood.
DI is used to produce pregnancies in couples where the man is infertile. Male infertility is usually a natural phenomenon, but can also be caused by disease or follow a vasectomy (male sterilisation operation) that cannot be reversed. There are other special circumstances, and if these apply to you, they will be discussed before you start treatment. DI is also used by women who wish to conceive but who have no male partner.
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Who are the donors and how are they screened?
Semen donors are men of normal fertility, health and intelligence.. The Hewitt Centre uses only frozen semen for DI treatment. Donors are required to take a blood test when they first start giving semen, and continue to be tested on a regular basis. They are screened for sexually transmitted infections such as hepatitis, syphilis chlamydia, HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). They are also tested to see if they are carriers of the gene for cystic fibrosis.
No semen is used unless blood tests for infection are still negative at least six months after that semen sample has been produced. Despite carrying out these tests, we cannot give a 100% guarantee of safety or exclude all abnormalities. The doctor will discuss this with you when you are having your consultation with him/her.
It is also possible to receive sperm from a known donor. Arrangements for known donation can be discussed with you at your consultation.
How are donors recruited?
The Hewitt Centre opened its own Sperm Donor Bank in 2007 and is pleased to receive enquires from any men who are interested in becoming a donor. For further information please telephone the Hewitt Centre on 0151 702 4215.
Where can I have treatment?
All DI treatment is carried out at the Hewitt Centre in Liverpool.
How is treatment carried out?
See Artificial Insemination (IUI).