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Does semen quality affect the success of an egg donation treatment? A study by Tambre provides new insights
Alexia Pina 
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Research presented by embryologist Carolina Andrés at the FFER 2026 Congress examines more than 13,000 semen analyses and thousands of embryos to understand how differences in semen quality may influence embryonic development and reproductive outcomes.
Can semen quality affect the success of an egg donation treatment? Are there differences depending on the man’s country of origin? And, if so, do they really influence the chances of achieving a pregnancy?
These are some of the questions investigated by the laboratory team at Tambre Fertility Clinics in a study presented by our embryologist Carolina Andrés at the FFER 2026 Congress, one of the scientific conferences dedicated to reproductive medicine in France.
The presentation, entitled ‘L’origine du conjoint influence-t-elle les résultats en don d’ovocytes ? De la qualité spermatique aux résultats cliniques’ (Does the male partner’s origin influence the outcomes of egg donation? From semen quality to clinical outcomes), provides information on the role of the male factor in assisted reproduction treatments.
Why study semen quality in egg donation treatments?
When we talk about fertility, we tend to focus heavily on the woman’s age and the quality of her eggs. However, semen also plays a fundamental role in fertilisation and embryo development.
We know that semen quality can be influenced by genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Differences in certain semen parameters have even been observed between men from different countries.
But there is an important question: do these differences result in lower chances of achieving pregnancy?
To answer this, researchers at Tambre studied egg donation treatments using the partner’s semen.
The reason is simple: by using donor eggs, the influence of certain factors related to the eggs is reduced. This allows for a more precise study of the role of the semen and enables us to check whether its characteristics affect embryo quality and treatment outcomes.
Over 13,000 semen analyses and 4,400 embryos studied
The research analysed data collected at Tambre over a ten-year period, between 2015 and 2025.
To better understand the relationship between semen quality and reproductive outcomes, the team studied three aspects:
- Semen quality: 13,251 semen analyses from men in eight countries were analysed, focusing on characteristics such as sperm count and motility.
- Embryo quality: 4,496 embryos from 2,578 egg donation cycles using the partner’s semen were studied.
- Chances of pregnancy: the outcomes of 3,083 frozen embryo transfers were assessed.
This allowed the researchers to determine whether the differences initially observed in the semen were also present in the embryos and, above all, whether they influenced the outcome of the treatment.
What did the study find? Differences in semen, but similar outcomes
The results showed some differences in semen quality depending on the man’s country of origin.
One of the characteristics that varied the most was the progressive motility of the sperm, that is, their ability to move forwards.
Although these differences were statistically significant, they were only minor.
And what happened when the embryos were analysed?
One of the most interesting findings was that 90.6% of the embryos studied were of good quality, with no significant differences between the countries analysed.
In some groups, a higher proportion of cycles with at least one low-quality embryo was observed. However, this did not result in poorer pregnancy outcomes.
In fact, the study found that pregnancy and live birth rates were similar across the different countries.
In other words, although there were small differences in semen quality, these did not have a significant impact on the final reproductive outcomes.
What do these results mean for patients?
This research helps to better understand how the male factor influences egg donation treatments.
The results suggest that the use of donor eggs and embryo selection can help to reduce the impact of certain differences in semen quality.
However, this does not mean that semen quality is no longer important. Its assessment remains essential for detecting possible abnormalities and deciding which treatment offers the best chances of success in each situation.
Nor does it mean that a person’s country of origin determines their fertility. The differences observed relate to population groups and do not allow us to predict individual outcomes.
That is why, at Tambre, we emphasise the importance of assessing each case on an individual basis, taking into account all the factors that may influence reproduction.
Research to drive progress in reproductive medicine
Carolina Andrés’ participation in FFER 2026 reflects the scientific work carried out by the Tambre laboratory team and our commitment to evidence-based reproductive medicine.
Since 1978, research and innovation have been an integral part of our history. A commitment we actively pursue through the Tambre Foundation, promoting scientific knowledge and its application in clinical practice.
Analysing thousands of cases and sharing the results at international conferences enables us to continue learning and to gain a better understanding of which factors really influence the success of treatments.