Sperm Donation

Sperm donation is opted for in cases where a male partner is diagnosed with azoospermia. It also applies to women who wish to become single mothers. Fertilia is collaborating with highly reputable sperm banks both in Greece and abroad and can support you in finding the most suitable sperm donor for you.

According to Greek Law, sperm donation in Greece is anonymous and altruistic. Donor anonymity is forever protected by law. Even when a donor-conceived child reaches 18 years of age, the donor’s identity is under no circumstances revealed.

Sperm donation can be applied either through In Vitro Fertilisation or through Intrauterine Sperm Insemination.

In Vitro Fertilization by Sperm Donation consists of the following steps:

​Ovarian Stimulation: 

Gonadotropins are used to stimulate the growth of multiple ovarian follicles. The term “gonadotropins” refers to medications that contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH). During this process, we closely monitor the growth of the ovarian follicles by transvaginal ultrasound scans and blood tests. When applying the short protocol, the one most commonly used, ovarian stimulation commences on the 2^nd or ^3rd day of your cycle and takes about 10-12 days to complete. During that period, your response to medication will be assessed on 3- to 4-time points via sonography and hormone blood tests. Should you leave Greece and return to your country of residence, the progress of the ovarian stimulation can be remotely monitored by sending us your reports for review.

The ovarian stimulation process step is extremely important since the number of oocytes retrieved is directly related to the number of embryos available for transfer. Once the size of the follicles is optimal, a trigger injection is administered to induce ovulation and finalise oocyte maturation. Oocyte retrieval takes place 36 hours after the trigger injection is administered.

​Oocyte retrieval (egg collection):

Egg collection is performed under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. A fine needle is advanced into the ovarian follicles through the vaginal wall. The fluid from all follicles inside both ovaries is aspirated and, then, examined by an embryologist to identify the eggs under the microscope. Next, any extracted eggs are placed in culture plates with nutrient media and, then, in the incubator. The whole procedure is performed under light sedation, and, generally, it takes less than 10–15 minutes to complete.

​Sperm retrieval:

Τhe donor’s sperm will be thawed on the day of your egg collection, and it will be checked by Fertilia’s embryologists.

​Fertilization:

Fertilia’s embryologists will fertilize the collected oocytes by the donor’s sperm.

​Embryo culture:

​The morning after the insemination, all eggs are examined to determine whether fertilisation has occurred. The embryos will be cultured in the lab for 3 to 5 days. You will be continuously updated by Fertilia’s team about the process of the embryo culture.

Embryo transfer:

The embryo transfer can take place either on Day 3 or Day 5, depending on patient status and history, and is performed by your physician under abdominal ultrasound guidance. An echogenic catheter is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity, and the fertilised egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are placed 1-2 cm from the top of the cavity. Extra good quality embryos may be frozen for future use. A pregnancy test is performed 10 to 12 days after the embryo transfer.

Intrauterine Insemination by Sperm Donation:

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing duly prepared motile sperm into the uterine cavity. The process of IUI lasts about 5 minutes. The IUI can be applied either on a natural cycle or a stimulated cycle (ovulation induction). Such decisions will be taken by your physician based on your case.

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