Would you change your sperm donor?

[Mouseorchestra7]

I have had two (worse than expected) IVF cycles. Round one produced one excellent day 5 which failed and the rest have been day 6 low quality blasts. All the literature seems to focus on egg quality, but could this be a sperm issue (just one not picked up in conventional sperm bank tests). I’m 35 so would expect better results for my age.

Any insights appreciated!

hi, yes I'm sure I've read the sperm quality matters too, so if you aren't having any luck and are able to switch if it's "just" a donor then I'd think it was worth a go.

I'd consider it personally. I had multiple IUI's and 1 round of IVF (2 transfer's) all with the same "proven" donor, without even a chemical positive. I changed sperm donor and with my first transfer from my next IVF cycle I'm now pregnant (only 7 weeks yet admittedly).

It could be coincidence as I also changed some meds for my second cycle (so the egg quality may have been better), but I do wonder if there is possibly some compatibility issues with eggs/sperm that science doesn't fully understand yet - even if the sperm or eggs look good under the microscope.

How many eggs are you getting? If you're getting plenty and your AMH results were good, I'd probably be inclined to try a different donor. That said, it's often just a numbers game anyway, sadly.

It took me lots of attempts, with various combinations of drugs and sperm before I was successful.

Thanks @Roundearth. Hopefully I will get a better result next time with a new donor.

@IamnotwhouthinkIam yes, there is so much still unexplained about fertility. It does feel, whether it’s one or both of us, that we are just making ‘bad’ embryos.

@Cally70 my fertility profile is OK, I think. I have been able to do two rounds with a clinic that has quite strict criteria (in terms of AMH, BMI, etc.). This is part of the reason I’m reeling from my not great results and looking to find a solution and change something next time. I didn’t expect it to be this hard! I got 9 eggs round 1 and 7 fertilised, 8 eggs round 2 and 6 fertilised. What made it, and when did it, finally work for you, if you don’t mind me asking?

@Cally70 should also note that I did mild IVF with less stimulation. The idea being that you obtain less eggs but better quality :/

How old are you?

I eventually gave up on my own rubbish eggs after 4 cycles of IVF and moved to donor eggs too. I conceived on my 5th round (1st with DE)

Congratulations @Cally70! I am 35. what eventually made you move to donor eggs?

It's so interesting what the protocol is at different clinics. I'm 40 with a low AMH and I did max stimulation to get this pregnancy (I was on the highest dose this last cycle - 4 injections a day!) - I did only get a few eggs though, but they said they were good quality.

@IamnotwhouthinkIam I’m a bit dubious now about the ‘fewer eggs, better quality’ concept. The only advantages I can see so far are that it’s cheaper and easier on your body. Considering doing a third round with this clinic with a different donor but will then move to another clinic and will try normal IVF if that fails…

Congratulations on your pregnancy by the way 😊

Thanks @Mouseorchestra7 and good luck to you . I've been having fertiity treatment for over two years now with countless negative tests so I really understand your frustation - I could hardly believe it when I got a positive and am certainly not "counting my chickens" yet as I'm high risk for loss. I do hope it's third cycle lucky for you though.

I was 38/39 and getting ever decreasing eggs each time, despite maximum stimulation drugs. Plus, cost was becoming more of a factor.

It became more about having children (I knew I wanted more than one) and less about genetics.

I was lucky enough to have two children and I could not love them more. I never regretted for one second moving to DE

@IamnotwhouthinkIam yes, it really grinds you down. So teary at the moment. Best of luck to you too. I completely understand your caution and wishing you the best

@Cally70 Amazing! I’ve always wanted two, but desperately hoping just for one at this stage.

My clinic often talks about how well the egg and donor “match” sometimes they just aren’t as compatible for whatever reason. If you can find another suitable donor it might increase your chances. Over 5 years we ended up switch donors several times before we got our twins! Good luck!

@BuffyFanForever thank you. Did you have different results with different donors?