This retrospective analysis of a large dataset did not demonstrate increased risk of preterm birth,
low birth weight and high birthweight following donor sperm compared to partner sperm IVF.
It is a matter of interest whether pregnancies with the use of donor sperm are associated with a
higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes comparedwith partner sperm. Anonymized data were
obtained from the Human Fertilization & Embryology Authority. Data from 1991 to 2011 involving
a total of95,787 singleton births (4523 with donor sperm and 91,264 with partner sperm) following
fresh IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were analysedto compare perinatal outcomes of
preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW) and high birthweight (HBW). The risk of LBW was
significantly lower (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79–0.99)
following donor sperm versus partner sperm IVF/ICSI. There was no signifi-cant difference in the
risk of PTB (aOR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.83–1.04), early PTB (aOR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.67–1.11), very LBW
(aOR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.75–1.20), HBW(aOR 1.09, 95% CI: 0.98–1.21) and very HBW (aOR 1.15,
95% CI: 0.90–1.45) following donor sperm versus partner sperm IVF/ICSI. The current study
didnot demonstrate an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes following donor sperm
compared with partner sperm IVF/ICSI treatment.