At the MVZ PAN Institute, we provide comprehensive information about sperm donation as a way of fulfilling the desire to have children despite male infertility, and we competently guide couples through all medical, psychosocial and legal aspects.
Couples considering sperm donation have often already undergone one or more fertility treatments, but the desired success has failed to materialise. The same applies to oocyte donation. However, this treatment is not an alternative in Germany, as it is not permitted in Germany for ethical and legal reasons. Even though oocyte donation is accordingly not part of the range of services offered by the MVZ PAN Institute, we explain this procedure on our website in order to provide you with as much information as possible.
The decision to undergo fertility treatment with donor sperm involves not only medical but also psychosocial and legal considerations. In principle, the transfer of donor sperm is an option if a man who wishes to have a child is infertile or has severely limited fertility or if artificial insemination procedures already used have not led to the fulfilment of the desire to have a child or have proved too onerous. Even in the case of a hereditary disease on the father's side, which was determined in the course of a human genetic consultation, a treatment with a sperm donation can be useful.
Sperm transfer or insemination with donor sperm is only possible if the woman's fallopian tubes are unblocked. If both fallopian tubes are blocked, artificial insemination (IVF/ICSI) may be considered. The same applies if several inseminations have been performed without success.
Sperm donors must meet strict health requirements. Before donating, donors undergo comprehensive examinations and a thorough medical history is taken with regard to chronic and genetic diseases. Communicable diseases are also ruled out (see also the Sperm Donor Registry Act https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/saregg/BJNR251310017.html).
For donor selection, we cooperate with the following certified sperm banks:
Erlanger Samenbank
European Spermbank
Cryos Denmark
Born Donor Bank
Only certain, designated donors from foreign sperm banks can be used/ordered in Germany.
Insemination treatment is carried out after cycle monitoring or ovarian stimulation treatment. A medication is then used to ensure that ovulation occurs at the desired time. No later than 36 hours afterwards, the thawed and specially prepared sperm is inserted into the uterus through a thin tube. This type of intrauterine insemination is usually completely painless. If the sperm donation is used for artificial insemination (IVF/ICSI), fertilisation takes place outside the body. The procedure is then exactly the same as for IVF or ICSI treatment with the partner's sperm.
The likelihood of successful treatment depends primarily on the woman's age and any limitations to her fertility. For women younger than 40 with no apparent fertility limitations, the average probability of pregnancy per attempt is approximately 13–17%. For women over 40, the probability decreases significantly. The success of IVF or ICSI treatment is not affected by whether donor sperm or the partner's sperm is used.
Despite preliminary medical examinations of the donor, it is not possible to rule out all diseases. Random genetic mutations in the unborn child can cause physical or mental disabilities. In addition, diseases can occur during pregnancy or complications can arise during birth. The risks are therefore similar to those for women who become pregnant without fertility treatment, and the vast majority of children are born healthy.
Those who choose to conceive a child through sperm donation are faced with several questions that can be troubling. This is not only about the expectant parents, but also about the situation and feelings of the child. Experts accordingly recommend that before treatment with donor sperm, not only should general counselling and information be sought, but also specific psychological counselling. At the MVZ PAN Institute, psychological care is an integral part of the treatment.
In July 2017, the ‘Act Regulating the Right to Know One's Ancestry in Cases of Heterologous Use of Sperm’ (SaRegG) was passed.
The nationwide sperm donor register has been in place since July 2018. It stores personal data relating to sperm donors and recipients in connection with medically assisted artificial insemination for a period of 110 years. This means that children conceived from July 2018 onwards will be able to find out from a central office whose sperm was used in the artificial insemination.
Gesetz zur Errichtung eines Samenspenderregisters und zur Regelung der Auskunftserteilung über den Spender nach heterologer Verwendung von Samen (Samenspenderregistergesetz - SaRegG)
Treatments involving oocyte donation are not permitted in Germany. They are used in some countries when a woman's desire to have children remains unfulfilled because no follicles mature in her ovaries. There can be various reasons for this, such as premature menopause, illness, genetic causes or even surgical removal of the ovaries. The method of oocyte donation is also used in the context of surrogate pregnancy, which is also prohibited in Germany.
How does treatment with oocyte donation work?
When attempting to fulfil an unfulfilled desire to have children with the help of egg donation, the donor's ovaries are stimulated with medication so that several eggs mature at the same time. The treating physicians then remove the eggs by puncture, which usually takes place under anaesthesia. The retrieved eggs are then fertilised with sperm outside the body – IVF or ICSI – and inserted into the recipient. Cryopreservation for later transfer is also possible.
Book a first consultationRegister for information evening
+49 (0) 221 2776 200 | kinderwunsch@mvz-pan-institut.de