After treatment at an innovative fertility program for HIV positive males at the Hadassah University Medical Center, a healthy baby was born to an HIV positive father and an HIV negative mother. At present, seven other couples participating in Hadassah AIDS Center’s Fertility Clinic are expecting children. To date, about 40 couples have approached the program since it open a year ago.
Couples, who wish to conceive even though the man is HIV positive, are referred to the Hadassah AIDS Center for evaluation and the preliminary preparations. The AIDS Center’s new Fertility Clinic uses a washing technique that separates the healthy sperm cells from all other white cells in the sperm which may contain the virus. The healthy sperm are then used to fertilize the wife's egg through intrauterine insemination (IUI). The treatment yields sufficient clean sperm infrosted? for three-to-four inseminations.
“The ability for couples to procreate despite HIV, is a dream come true for the couples who have waited so long to create a family – and for us too,” said Dr. Karen Olshtain-Pops Coordinator of the Hadassah AIDS Center program.
Prof. Shlomo Maayan, Head of the Hadassah AIDS Center, initiated the project that involves Prof. Alex Simon and Dr. Yoel Shufaro of Hadassah’s IVF Center, Prof. Dana Wolf, Head of Clinical Virology Unit, and fertility technician Mr.Awad Sarur.
Initial funding for the program was provided through a donation by Prof. Philippe Halfon of Marseille, and Prof. Raymond Schinazi, of Emory University in Atlanta, GA and their families.