IVF with Donor Sperm
Your family. Your donor. Your timeline. IVF with donor sperm at Arbor.
Whether you’re building a family as a single parent or with a same-sex partner, donor sperm IVF gives you the same proven fertility treatment — with a donor you choose and a team that knows the process inside out.
What this service is
IVF with Donor Sperm.
IVF with donor sperm is the same proven in vitro fertilization cycle used across our practice — ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, ICSI fertilization, embryo culture, and transfer — with sperm from a licensed donor bank instead of a partner. The clinical process, the embryology, and the success rates are identical. The only difference is where the sperm comes from.
Patients choose donor sperm for a range of reasons: single women building a family independently, same-sex female couples, couples facing severe male-factor infertility, or individuals who carry a genetic condition they don’t want to pass on. Whatever the reason, Arbor treats donor sperm IVF as standard care — not a specialty referral, not an exception, and not a conversation that requires justification.
The donor selection process is handled through a licensed sperm bank. You browse donor profiles — including medical history, physical characteristics, education, and personal essays — and make your choice on your own timeline. Once selected, the sperm is shipped directly to our lab before your retrieval date. Dr. Zarek and the clinical team manage the rest.
Choosing your donor
You choose the donor. We handle the science.
Donor selection is the step most patients have the most questions about — and the one where you have the most control. Licensed sperm banks maintain extensive profiles for each donor: medical and family health history, physical characteristics, educational background, personality questionnaires, and in many cases childhood photos and audio interviews. You browse and choose entirely on your terms.
Once you’ve selected a donor, the bank ships vials of frozen sperm directly to Arbor’s lab. We thaw and prepare the sperm on the day of fertilization, then use ICSI — intracytoplasmic sperm injection — to inject a single selected sperm into each mature egg. ICSI is our standard for all donor sperm cycles because it maximizes fertilization rates regardless of sperm source. From this point forward, the IVF process is identical to any other cycle.
What the cycle includes
Four phases. One coordinated journey.
Donor sperm IVF follows the same clinical pathway as standard IVF — with donor logistics built in.
Donor Selection & Coordination
Choose your donor through a licensed sperm bank. Arbor coordinates shipping, thawing, and preparation — the sperm arrives at our lab ready for your cycle.
Ovarian Stimulation & Retrieval
Injectable medications stimulate follicle growth over 10–14 days. Monitoring with ultrasounds and blood work ensures optimal timing. Eggs are retrieved under light anesthesia.
ICSI Fertilization
A single donor sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. ICSI is standard for all donor sperm cycles at Arbor — it maximizes fertilization rates and is included in every cycle, not an add-on.
Embryo Transfer
A single embryo is transferred to the uterus in a brief office procedure — no anesthesia, no downtime. Remaining embryos can be frozen for future use.
Not included: Donor sperm purchase (billed directly by the sperm bank, typically $500–$1,500 per vial), medications (typically $3,000–$4,500), diagnostic testing and infectious disease screening, PGT-A genetic testing, embryo storage after year one ($600/year), and lab fees (billed to insurance or ~$400 self-pay).
Common questions about IVF with donor sperm.
How do I choose a sperm donor?
You select your donor through a licensed, FDA-regulated sperm bank. Banks provide detailed profiles for each donor: medical history, family health background, physical characteristics, educational history, personality essays, and often childhood photos or audio interviews. You can browse at your own pace and filter by the criteria that matter most to you. Once you’ve made your selection, the bank ships frozen vials directly to Arbor’s lab before your cycle begins.
Is ICSI always used with donor sperm?
Yes. At Arbor, ICSI — intracytoplasmic sperm injection — is our standard fertilization technique for every donor sperm cycle. Because frozen-thawed donor sperm can have reduced motility compared to fresh sperm, ICSI ensures the highest possible fertilization rate by injecting a single selected sperm directly into each egg. ICSI is included in the cycle fee, not an upcharge.
What are the success rates with donor sperm IVF?
Success rates for donor sperm IVF are comparable to standard IVF because the clinical process is identical. The primary factors are the egg provider’s age and the resulting embryo quality — not the sperm source. Donor sperm from reputable banks is rigorously screened and tested, so sperm quality is generally excellent. Dr. Zarek will review your specific situation and provide realistic expectations during your consultation.
Can same-sex couples do IVF with donor sperm at Arbor?
Absolutely. IVF with donor sperm is one of the most common fertility paths for same-sex female couples. One partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy, or the same partner does both. Arbor also offers reciprocal IVF, where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the embryo — allowing both partners a biological role in the pregnancy. Dr. Zarek will walk you through all the options during your consultation.
How much does donor sperm cost?
The cost of donor sperm is separate from Arbor’s IVF cycle fee and is billed directly by the sperm bank. Vials typically range from $500 to $1,500 depending on the bank, donor availability, and whether you choose an anonymous or open-identity (ID-release) donor. Most patients purchase 2–3 vials to have backup for the cycle or future use. Arbor does not mark up donor sperm costs.
What happens if the first cycle doesn’t work?
If your first donor sperm IVF cycle doesn’t result in a pregnancy, there are several paths forward. If you have frozen embryos from the cycle, you can proceed with a frozen embryo transfer (FET, $3,000) — a simpler, less expensive process than a full IVF cycle. If you need a new cycle, you can use the same donor or select a different one. Dr. Zarek will review the cycle data and recommend adjustments for the best chance of success.
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Your family starts with a conversation. We’re ready when you are.
Whether you’re a single parent-to-be or building a family with your partner, donor sperm IVF is a well-established path — and Arbor has walked it with hundreds of patients. Schedule a consult to discuss donor selection, your cycle timeline, and what to expect. The initial 30-minute consult is $100 virtual or $200 in person.