Can The Semen Of An Hiv-Infected Man Put A Surrogate Mother Or A Baby At Risk?

Jerry is HIV-positive. Along with his partner Larry, they've found a brave and selfless woman willing to carry their baby to term. But a nagging question lurks in the background: is Jerry's HIV-positive semen dangerous to the surrogate mother or their future baby?

"Sometimes I feel like we're walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers," Larry quips. "And those vipers are just waiting to bite our baby dreams in the ass."

I'm Gonna Wash That Virus Right Outta My Hair

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a miraculous process that has made countless gay couples' dreams of parenthood a reality. It's like the superhero of the fertility world, swooping in to save the day for would-be dads like Larry and Jerry.

Why? Because IVF minimizes the risk of HIV transmission to the surrogate mother and the baby (Rodger et al., 2016) down to practically zero.

In this process, Jerry's sperm would be washed to remove the virus before being used to fertilize an egg from the surrogate or an egg donor. The resulting embryo would then be transferred to the surrogate's womb, where it would (hopefully) implant and grow into a healthy, HIV-negative baby (Bujan et al., 2007).

But can this method guarantee the safety of the surrogate and the baby?

The Magic of Sperm-Washing

Sperm washing is like the laundry day of the IVF world, where the HIV virus is stripped from the sperm, leaving behind a clean and (theoretically) safe genetic material.

Sperm washing is a laboratory procedure used to separate semen (the fluid part of ejaculate) from sperm1. Because the seminal fluid contains the highest concentration of HIV, the “washed” sperm contains little, if any, HIV1.

However, because sperm washing has not been proven completely effective, couples using the procedure should be counseled regarding the potential risks for transmission of HIV.

"I know sperm washing is supposed to be a silver bullet," says Jerry, "but I can't shake the fear that it might not be enough."

The fear is understandable but a study conducted by Bujan et al. (2007) showed that none of the 109 sero-discordant couples researchers examined experienced HIV transmission to the woman or the child after undergoing sperm washing and IVF.

In addition, according to a report by Growing Generations, there have been more than 4,000 reported cases of assisted reproduction using sperm from HIV-positive men and not one baby or surrogate have contracted the virus1. 

However, because of the risk of transfer to the baby, you cannot be a surrogate mother with HIV.

Clearly, Larry and Jerry need to weigh the risks and rewards carefully, work closely with medical professionals, and stay informed about the latest advancements in HIV treatment and IVF technologies. But the odds are extremely positive in their favor.  Good luck, Larry and Jerry!

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