Determination of a maximum number of artificial inseminations by donor children per sperm donor.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine a safe maximum number of artificial insemination (donor insemination [DI]) children per anonymous sperm donor. DESIGN: Multiparameter calculation model of contribution of DI to inbreeding. SETTING: Data of the collaborative DI centers and demographic population data of The Netherlands. INTERVENTIONS: Calculations of the contribution of DI to inbreeding were made, taking into account all possible unintentional consanguineous matings and consanguineous inseminations with a coefficient of inbreeding (F) of > or = 1/16 for the offspring. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Coefficient of inbreeding (F). RESULTS: The contribution of DI to inbreeding was estimated to be 46.6 x 10(-6) + k (1.66 x 10(-6)) (k = number of DI children per donor). When only half-sibling matings were considered, the kmax was 32. When all possible consanguineous matings and inseminations were taken into account, kmax decreased with 28% to 25 children. CONCLUSION: Calculations of a maximum number of DI children per sperm donor, based on possible enhancement of inbreeding and given the Dutch population and DI setting, show that 25 children per DI donor is a safe threshold for clinical practice.