Report of results obtained in 2,934 women using donor sperm: donor insemination versus in vitro fertilization according to indication.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate that the use of donor sperm leads to varying outcome rates and that its use has evolved.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

University-affiliated private IVF setting.

PATIENT(S): Women (2,934) undergoing donor insemination (DI) or IVF with donor sperm (IVF-D).

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT(S): We evaluated the distribution of the clinical indications for the use of donated sperm, studying the reproductive outcome.

RESULT(S): A total of 1,663 DI (57%) and 1,271 IVF-D (43%) were performed. There were significant differences in the indications for the use of donated sperm (DI vs. IVF-D). Regarding pregnancy rates (PR), cases of nonobstructive azoospermia presented the highest rate (29.1%), whereas cases of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) failures and single women showed rates of 27.6% and 22.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, patients with ICSI failures achieved the highest PRs in IVF cycles (48.7%), whereas nonobstructive azoospermia and single women showed rates of 42.0% and 38.2%, respectively. There have been significant increases in the use of donated sperm in single women.

CONCLUSION(S): Single women, which also represented the oldest group, show a lower probability of achieving pregnancy, and thus represent a subfertile population. Associated factors could include advanced maternal age.