Blog written by CLI Director Stephen H. Pool, Ph.D.
Clients who have used donor sperm are often members of organizations or web based groups that provide support or information about infertility issues. In addition, they often monitor various blogs, or web sites to find out information that may be helpful to them when dealing with issues/concerns or questions about being a parent of a donor child. These sources of information are helpful in a number of different ways but one should caution the accuracy of the information provided. One piece of information that parents of donor offspring often seek is information about half siblings to their child. These same recipients are often shocked to find that their donor has produced a number of offspring and they feel is higher than they anticipated. This can lead to anxiety and concerns about many issues of how their child(ren) might feel about knowing this information down the road if they are informed that they are a donor offspring.
Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc. has a production limit for each donor and that production limit is based on a formula to calculate the expected number of offspring that could be produced from the use of the donor’s samples. The formula is based on information that can be found in the literature of peer reviewed scientific journals. The formula takes several factors into consideration:
The average pregnancy rate (percentage) reported per insemination/cycle. Insemination/cycle meaning: 1 insemination/menstrual cycle.
The average number (percent) of pregnancies that reach term and result in a live birth. Not all pregnancies result in a live birth, some are lost to spontaneous abortions, miscarriages, or early terminations for medical or genetic issues.
The average number of vials purchased for an insemination/cycle. Some physicians perform a single insemination/cycle others perform back to back inseminations 12 to 24 hours apart/cycle.
As with any calculation based on a formula that utilizes averages, there is room for error. The calculation may be too high or too low. Therefore, in order to have the most accurate information, actual data must be collected and verified. CLI asks that all of our clients please report their pregnancy/live birth(s) by calling 1-800-466-2796 or go to our Pregnancy Reporting Website. This will provide us with accurate information on offspring and family units (multiple children by the same donor within the same family). We can assure you that information disclosed is confidential and will never be released outside of the cryobank. CLI typically receives pregnancy/live birth information on only 20-30% of the outcomes from the use of their donor samples. You can easily see how this can lead to inaccurate information being reported when it comes to number of offspring/donor. Your participation in the reporting process will lead to more accurate pregnancy/live birth reporting.
