An Emotional Decision

Single-sperm injection has created excitement among infertile couples, some of whom had dropped their plans to have a baby.

“That is one of the big dilemmas in the community: When do you stop treatment or try again?” says Judy Rosen, co-president of the Greater Los Angeles RESOLVE, a support and information network for infertile couples.

“We deal with this issue all the time. For many couples, finances, age and emotional issues are factors in their decision,” she says. (The single-sperm procedure generally adds about $500 to $2,000 to the cost of in-vitro fertilization, which averages about $7,500 per attempt.)

Jill Harris and David O’Connell were among the first in Los Angeles to try the technique. O’Connell was treated for testicular cancer 14 years ago, which left him sterile. Prior to his cancer treatment, however, he stored sperm in a sperm bank. But with a limited quantity of sperm, the couple believe that they must use the latest technology to have a baby. Two attempts at artificial insemination failed.

The Woodland Hills couple underwent sperm injection late last year, and Harris became pregnant. But she had a miscarriage one month later and now questions whether to try again. Both she and her husband are 41.

“I was so astounded I became pregnant,” Harris says. “I couldn’t believe it. For such a severe male infertility factor, this is our only option other than to adopt. But it’s an uncomfortable position to be in because it is so revolutionary and new. I’m nervous about it.”

Debbie, who lives in Palos Verdes, says she and her husband will probably try sperm injection later this year. They have a daughter born through traditional IVF. But four other attempts at IVF have failed to produce a second pregnancy. Because her husband’s sperm count is abnormal, the chances are greatly reduced that a sperm will penetrate the egg.

They believe that they are perfect candidates for sperm injection, says Debbie, who sought anonymity to protect the couple’s privacy.

“I was devastated after the fourth IVF cycle failed,” she says. “But since then I’ve heard a lot of hubbub about sperm injection. And it’s hard for me to give up.”

Still, the prospect of sperm injection--the human selection of the egg and sperm that could produce their child--unnerves her.

“It’s scary to me that they pick up one sperm and that there is no natural selection,” she says. “I don’t want to be the first one to try it.”