Becoming a Sperm Donor

Click here to download the Sperm Donor information leaflet

Frequently asked questions

Why are sperm donors required?

1 in 6 couples in the UK have problems conceiving, for many their only hope is relying on the generosity of others. Sperm donors are nationally in short supply and many couples are on waiting lists to receive donor sperm. There are a number of reasons why donated sperm is required by infertile couples:

• There may be no sperm present in the ejaculate of the male partner – either due to blockage, vasectomy, testicular failure or sterility following chemotherapy
• The male partner may not be able to ejaculate normally
• The male partner’s sperm may be of such poor quality that it is not able to fertilise his partner’s eggs
• The male partner may be at risk of passing on an inherited disease or may have an unusual genetic make-up which could put any of his children at risk
• Donor sperm may also be used to treat single women and same sex couples.
   

What would determine my suitability to be a sperm donor?

• Donors must be between the ages of 18 and 40 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.
   
• 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. 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, the HIV virus and gonorrhoea. 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 appointment. 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, we contact your GP for any relevant medical history.

Would I get expenses for donating my sperm?

After you have been accepted as a donor, you will receive expenses including loss of earnings, for each donation stored. There is an upper limit of £250 per course of donation set by law. A proportion of this amount will be withheld until after the quarantine period. Currently at the Leicester Fertility Centre a course of donation varies, but is usually between 10 and 15 samples.

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.