A donor’s samples are used until they result in the maximum of ten live ‘birth events’

Sperm donor bank FAQs

Why are sperm donors required?

Some women are unable to have children, either because the male partner is infertile or there is no male partner. Rather than consider adoption, these women may wish to undergo artificial insemination using donor sperm.

What would determine my suitability to be a sperm donor?

Donors must 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 Clinic for an interview and complete a detailed questionnaire about your own and your family's medical history. It is important to note 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, the appropriate member of the Clinic’s medical team will be available to discuss the implications if required. In all cases, the embryologist is able to discuss the result even if the parameters are normal.

What tests are required before I can become a donor?

Prior to being accepted as a donor you would need to see a doctor for a physical examination. A urine sample is needed to screen for chlamydia and a semen sample will be needed to screen for gonorrhoea. A blood sample will also be taken in order to determine your blood group and to test for infections such as hepatitis B and C, syphilis, CMV and the HIV virus. These are repeated at certain intervals. Screening of donors in this way is crucial as infections could be passed onto the woman receiving the sperm and, if she becomes pregnant, her child. We also perform tests to exclude cystic fibrosis and chromosome abnormalities.

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

The implications of becoming a sperm donor will be discussed with you during your initial interview. Counselling will also be provided on the day that you have your physical examination.

Who shouldn’t become sperm donors?

The HIV virus is sometimes unknowingly carried. Transmission of the virus is not yet fully understood, but it is known that the disease can be transmitted in semen and could infect mother and baby. People in high risk groups for HIV 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 unprotected 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.

As information about your genetic medical history is also required, men who have been adopted should not become sperm donors unless they have access to the medical history of their natural parents.

Would I have 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 donor’s samples are used until they result in the maximum of ten live ‘birth events’ (twin and triplet births each count as one ‘birth event’). Thereafter, we can only use, in certain cases, further samples from this donor for siblings.

Would I have to sign a consent form?

All sperm donors must sign multiple consent forms. In addition, although we do not contact your GP other than in necessary circumstances such as an unexpected finding, we do require the name and address of your GP.

Would I get expenses for donating my sperm?

After you have been accepted as a donor, you will receive an amount, including expenses, for each donation stored. A proportion of this amount will be withheld until after the quarantine period.

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

Donors should ideally produce once or twice a week for at least six months and attend later for final tests. We do appreciate that this is 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 Clinic 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?

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. It should be noted that not all sperm are suitable for freezing. The HFEA permits the storage of donated sperm for up to ten years.

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