Pathways to fatherhood: clinical experiences with assisted reproductive technology in single and coupled intended fathers

Brent Monseur; Joseph A Lee; Melody Qiu; Angely Liang; Alan B Copperman; Mark Leondires

doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2022.07.009

Pathways to fatherhood: clinical experiences with assisted reproductive technology in single and coupled intended fathers

F S Rep. 2022 Aug 5;3(4):317-323. doi: 10.1016/j.xfre.2022.07.009. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Brent Monseur¹, Joseph A Lee², Melody Qiu³, Angely Liang³, Alan B Copperman^{2

4}, Mark Leondires⁵

Affiliations

¹ Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, California.
² Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, New York, New York.
³ Progyny, Inc., New York, New York.
⁴ Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
⁵ Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut, Norwalk, Connecticut.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the cycle characteristics and outcomes of single and coupled intended fathers (SCIFs) using assisted reproductive technology.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Multicenter, fertility practices from 2016 to 2020.

Patients: In this study, cycles among SCIFs with access to fertility coverage from 2016 to 2020 were included.

Interventions: None.

Main outcome measures: Our primary outcome was live birth rate. The secondary outcomes included the number of embryos transferred, miscarriage rate, and incidence of multifetal birth.

Results: Five single and 39 coupled intended fathers completed an in vitro fertilization cycle with a majority using egg donation and an agency-based gestational carrier (69.7%, 83/119). In most couples, both partners wanted to serve as the sperm source (64.4%, 29/45). The vast majority (97.7%, 43/44) also used preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. Among the embryo transfer (ET) cycles (n = 27), most consisted of a single euploid ET (74.07%, 20/27), whereas the remaining consisted of a double euploid ET (25.92%, 7/27). The SCIFs had high rates of success, with a live birth rate of 85.19% (23/27). A mean of 1.26 ± 0.44 embryos were transferred, with a majority resulting in singleton birth (70.37%, 19/27).

Conclusions: Our study of SCIFs using assisted reproductive technology in the United States demonstrates that this population shares similar preferences for sperm source and the use of preimplantation genetic testing. Clinical outcomes suggest that this population is successful at achieving a live birth when using egg donation and a gestational carrier.

Keywords: LGBTQ+; assisted reproductive technologies; fatherhood; gay; sexual and gender minorities.