How to Become a Sperm Donor

Introduction

This information has been prepared for men wishing to know more about becoming a sperm donor. We hope it will answer most of the questions you may have, but would encourage you to contact us if you have any unanswered questions or would like to discuss the matter in more detail. All enquiries are dealt with total inconfidence.

Why are sperm donors required?

Some couples are unable to have children because the male partner is infertile and the only way they can have a child is through artificial insemination using donated sperm. Over one thousand children are born in the UK each year in this way.

Male infertility is quite common and many couples turn to donor insemination as a solution to their fertility problem. As a consequence, there is always demand for sperm donors.

What would determine my suitability to be a sperm donor?

Donors are required to be between the ages of 18 and 45 and should have no serious medical disability or family history of hereditary disorders.

Before being accepted as a donor you would need to attend the Centre for an interview and to complete a detailed questionnaire about your own and your family's medical history.

It is important to note here that a child born with an abnormality could sue for damages if it were proven that the donor failed to reveal known relevant facts about his or his family's medical history. You would be required to produce a semen sample which would be analysed in order to assess the quantity and quality of your sperm. Potential donors must be aware that their sperm sample could fail to fulfil the requirements for donation. Should this be the case, our staff are available to discuss the implications if required.

What tests are required before I can become a donor?

Prior to being accepted as a donor you would need to undergo a physical examination at which time a urine sample is needed to test for infections such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia. A blood sample also be taken in order to determine your blood group and to test for infections such as hepatitis B and C, syphilis and the AIDS virus. These are repeated at six monthly intervals. Screening of donors in this way is crucial as any infections could be passed onto the woman receiving the sperm and, if she becomes pregnant, her child.

What if I need to discuss becoming a donor in more detail?

The implications of becoming a sperm donor would be discussed with you during your initial interview. However, independent counselling can be arranged on request.

Who should not become sperm donors?

Occasionally, the AIDS (HIV) virus may be unknowingly carried by a potential donor. Transmission of the virus is not yet fully understood, but it is known that the disease can be transmitted in semen. Furthermore, an infected woman may transmit the infection to her baby with serious consequences. Because of this, people in high risk groups for HIV infections should not donate sperm.

High risk groups include:

• Intravenous drug users.
• Men who have visited areas known to have large numbers of AIDS cases and have had sex with people living there (men or women).
• Men who have had multiple sexual partners in the last six months.
• The sexual partners of the above groups.

Note: Men who have been adopted should not become sperm donors, unless they have access to the medical history of their natural parents.

Where would details about me be recorded?

Donor banks in this country are required to be licensed by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) and conform to its code of practice. All donors need to be registered with the Authority where details relating to each donor are recorded. However, it is important to note that the Authority cannot disclose any information which might identify donors.

How much information about me would be given to the recipient of my sperm?

The HFEA states that women receiving donated sperm cannot be given information which may identify the donor, nor can the donor be given information about the recipient or the outcome of treatment using his sperm.

However, in order to try and match the physical characteristics of the donor with that of the woman's partner, details such as hair and eye colour, height and build are given to the couple. Couples may also request non-identifying biographical information about the donor if they wish.

Could any children born as a result of my sperm donation be able to contact me in later life?

Yes. The Department of Health has recently changed the law regarding anonymity of sperm donors. New donors recruited from April 2005 will have to consent to identifying information being given to their offspring after their eighteenth birthday if they request. However, experience from other countries indicates that only a small number of offspring ever embark on this line of enquiry. Donors providing samples before April 2005 will remain anonymous. The change in the law will not apply retrospectively. Bridge is now searching for and supporting men who are willing to be identified in the future. We offer counselling to all potential new donors and their partners.

Would I have any parental or legal rights?

No. The law states that once a donor has consented to the use of his sperm for fertility treatment, he has no legal or parental rights over any children born using his sperm.

How many children could result from the use of my sperm?

A maximum of ten children can be born using a single donor's samples. Couples may have further children using the same donor's samples if there are some available.

Would I have to sign a Consent Form?

All donors are asked to sign a consent form, but you should understand that you can change or withdraw your consent at any time. In addition, consent to contact your GP will be requested in order to confirm that there are no contra-indications to sperm donation in your case.

Would I get paid for donating my sperm?

Sperm donation is deemed to be the same as organ donation i.e. you cannot be paid for donating, but expenses (travel etc) are paid for. Once accepted as a donor, you are given a total of £22.50 expenses for each donation stored, £15.00 of which is paid when you attend your appointment. The remaining £7.50 from each donation payment is withheld until after the quarantine period. If you provide a sample without maintaining abstinence, your payment will be withheld on your next visit.

If accepted, how often would I need to produce samples?

Donors should ideally produce two samples a week for at least six months. We do appreciate that this will not always be possible, but a commitment to producing samples regularly is important.

Where would I produce my samples?

Samples are required to be produced by masturbation at the Centre which has rooms specifically allocated for this purpose. This is necessary because it is important that samples are analysed and prepared for freezing immediately after production.

What would then happen to my samples?

Once produced, samples are analysed by the laboratory staff to check the sperm count and motility. If they are suitable, they are mixed with a cryoprotectant and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The HFEA permits the storage of donated sperm for up to ten years.

For more information, please contact our Laboratory Staff by email or on 020 7403 3363.

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