Basic Information on Cryobanks

Posted on March 30, 2008 by Theresa Erickson

So often we talk about infertility with women, but what happens when it's male infertility?  I have provided some basic information about cryobanks (sperm banks). 

There are two main motives that drive donors:

1.  Donations from fertile men who are preserving their reproductive options.  Men will bank their sperm if they are about to undergo surgery, cancer treatment or have a low sperm count.   These are men who want to be able to achieve parenthood at a later time in their life.

2.  Donations from men who contribute for financial reasons.  Men who donate to help infertile couples achieve a family.

If you think it is difficult to get into an Ivy League school, try becoming a sperm donor!  Less than 5 percent of all candidates will be accepted as a donor.  The screening process is vigorous and takes about three (3) months to complete.  Samples and donors are screening continually for sexually transmitted diseases and genetic issues.  Additionally, all donors are screened for cystic fibrosis and undergo chromosome analysis.

Donors may choose to be anonymous or ID Consent Donors.  Anonymous donors are willing provide descriptive details about themselves and their family history with the understanding that they will never have direct communication with the recipients of their sperm or future offspring.  ID Consent donors agree to allow the sperm bank to release identifying information about themselves to the offspring once they reach 18 years of age.  ID Consent Donor are not required to meet the offspring;  the program is designed to provide genetic information to the offspring.

Once the donation has been made, the sperm samples are prepared with a solution that minimizes damage during the freezing and thawing processes.  The samples are frozen using liquid nitrogen. 

Previously frozen sperm doesn't live as long inside a woman's uterus as fresh sperm.  Thawed sperm lives up to 24 hours while fresh sperm can live for 3 - 5 days.  There is no additional risk for birth defects using donated sperm.   

If you require additional information about this, please contact a local cryobank.

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Acupuncture and IVF

Posted on March 22, 2008 by Theresa Erickson

There is a lot of hype about whether acupuncture aids in conception with IVF.  Some professionals believe it absolutely helps while others think it is just another expense to the couple.

Eric Manheimer, a research associate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Integrative Medicine looked at seven trials that included 1,366 women undergoing IVF.  Each trial compared acupuncture given within one day of the embryo transfer to sham acupuncture (using a placebo needle) or no acupunction.  They found that the women who had the acupuncture increased their chances of becoming pregnant by 65 percent.    This means that 10 women would need to be treated with acupunction to result in one additional pregnancy. 

It was also found that in Centers where the pregnancy rates are already high, the benefit of acupuncture was small and non-significant. 

At this time, most IVF patients who are participating in acupunction are doing so without the suggestion of their doctor.  Rather, they choose to do so themselves.   Dr. Owen K. Davis, co-director and associate professor at the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City said "I don't think we can say conclusively that acupuncture is effective or is anywhere near being a standard care, but it's not something I would discourage someone from trying if they wanted to.  But I'm far removed from prescribing it to patients".

As a surrogate, I have worked with Intended Parents who felt it would be helpful.  I went the Acupuncturist once a week while cycling to the transfer.  Then the Acupuncturist met me at the IVF Center one hour before the transfer.  I saw her one more time before my pregnancy test.  I was pregnant, but no more pregnant than the other three times it was successful without acupuncture.  I will say that acupuncture is very relaxing.  You are at peace with yourself  while you are laying there.   

At this time incorporating acupunction into your IVF treatment is an individual decision.  If you feel better having acupuncture, then if may work for you.

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