Planning your family with IVF and surrogacy requires careful preparation, especially when using donor sperm.

One key decision is determining how many vials to purchase to increase your chances of success and plan for future children.

Below, we’ll break down the specifics of how many vials to purchase, what donor sperm costs and what to consider when selecting a donor.

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How Many Vials of Sperm Are Needed for IVF and Surrogacy?

Most individuals or couples using donor sperm for IVF will need about one to two vials per cycle.

A standard vial holds approximately 0.5 milliliters of sperm, with most donor sperm banks guaranteeing 10 to 20 million motile sperm per vial for IVF.

Purchasing multiple vials can be a smart strategy, especially if your embryos don’t make it to the blastocyst stage on the first attempt.

However, the exact number of vials you’ll need depends on several factors:

• Fertilization Method: If you’re using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, one vial is often enough. However, for conventional IVF, where sperm and eggs are combined in a lab dish, higher sperm concentration is needed, which may require more than one vial.
• Sperm Quality: If sperm motility or count is lower than expected, your fertility specialist may recommend purchasing extra vials to improve fertilization chances.
• Embryo Freezing Plans: If you hope to create and freeze multiple embryos for future pregnancy attempts or sibling journeys, securing additional vials from the same donor can ensure consistency and avoid the risk of donor sperm selling out.

Consulting with your fertility clinic can help determine the right number based on your family-building goals.

Can You Use IUI Sperm for IVF?

Yes, you can use donor sperm from previous IUI attempts for IVF. IUI-prepped sperm is already washed and concentrated, making it suitable for IVF.

This can save you money since you won’t need to purchase additional sperm vials for IVF.

How Many Vials of Sperm Should I Freeze?

If you’re freezing your own sperm for future IVF treatments, the general guideline is the same as purchasing donor sperm: one to two vials per cycle.

However, many individuals choose to freeze multiple vials to prepare for additional cycles or to ensure they have enough for future children.

Freezing extra sperm vials for IVF ensures you have enough for multiple attempts. Your fertility clinic can help determine how many vials to store based on your reproductive goals and overall fertility plan.

How Long Can Sperm Be Stored?

Properly stored frozen sperm can be stored indefinitely without degrading. Sperm banks use liquid nitrogen tanks to maintain cryogenic temperatures, which preserves sperm quality for decades as long as storage conditions remain stable.

However, storage fees can add up over time, so it’s important to check with your sperm bank about long-term storage costs and policies. Some facilities offer pre-paid storage packages, while others charge annual fees.

How Much Does a Vial of Sperm Cost?

The cost of a vial of sperm can range from $400 to $2,000, depending on several factors. These include:

• Type of sperm: Sperm for home insemination may cost less than sperm prepared for a medical process like IVF.
• Sperm bank or agency: Prices vary depending on where you purchase the sperm.
• Donor status: Anonymous donor sperm may be more affordable than sperm from a known donor. For instance, Cryos charges more for vials with extended profiles, ID releases and adult photos.
• Sperm motility and quality: Higher motility sperm often comes at a higher price.
• Storage and shipping fees: Some facilities charge extra for long-term storage or expedited shipping.

If you’re planning for multiple cycles or future children, purchasing vials in bulk may offer discounts. Be sure to check with your donor sperm bank or agency about storage options and costs.

Need help budgeting for donor sperm in your surrogacy journey? Learn more about resources for affording surrogacy.

Does Insurance Cover Donor Sperm?

In most cases, insurance does not cover sperm vials for IVF. However, some plans may offer partial coverage if the sperm is needed due to moderate to severe male infertility.

It’s best to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and what out-of-pocket costs you may have.

How to Find a Sperm Donor

Choosing a sperm donor is an important decision. You’ll need to consider factors such as genetic history, physical traits and donor anonymity when making your selection.

Here’s how the process typically works:

• Step 1: Decide on donor anonymity. Choose between an anonymous donor, a known donor or an open-ID donor (who allows contact when the child reaches adulthood).
• Step 2: Browse sperm banks and agencies or find a personal donor.  Reputable sperm banks offer extensive donor profiles, including medical history and personal background. If you’re considering a personal donor, you’ll need to ensure they undergo thorough medical and genetic screening to meet fertility clinic requirements.
• Step 3: Review donor characteristics. Consider traits like ethnicity, education and personality to find the best match. There’s no guarantee that your child will have specific traits, but it may be important to you to share some characteristics.
• Step 4: Check medical screening results. Donors undergo genetic and infectious disease screening to ensure health and safety.
• Step 5: Purchase and store sperm. Once you select a donor, you will need to purchase and store the necessary sperm vials for IVF.

How Does Shipping Donor Sperm Work?

Once you’ve chosen a sperm donor, the sperm must be shipped to your fertility clinic. Sperm banks use cryogenic shipping containers, which keep the vials frozen at extremely low temperatures. These containers are designed to maintain sperm viability throughout transit.

You’ll need to coordinate with your clinic to ensure they receive the shipment on time.

You may want to look for a “sperm donor bank near me with expedited shipping,” otherwise you’ll need to provide advance notice and schedule a delivery.

Be sure to confirm shipping costs and timelines with your provider before placing an order.

Moving Forward With IVF and Surrogacy

Knowing how many sperm vials you’ll need for IVF and surrogacy can help you plan and make informed choices. Whether you’re purchasing donor sperm or freezing your own, having a clear strategy ensures a smoother fertility journey.

If you’re ready to move forward with your surrogacy journey, we can help you find a sperm bank and get started while you create your embryos. Contact us today.