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Can I become a sperm donor at a sperm bank?
Donated sperm stocks are low so if you are a healthy male, aged between18 and 45, you may be eligible to donate sperm.
The following men should not apply to become donors:
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Intravenous drug users
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If you live in an area with high HIV rate and you have had unprotected sex
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If you have had unprotected sex with multiple partners in the last six months
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If you are adopted and do not know the medical history of your biological parents.
Will I get paid for my sperm donation?
Sperm donors may have reasonable expenses reimbursed, including travel and loss of earnings.
Sperm donor anonymity at a sperm bank
In many countries the law allows individuals who are donor-conceived to access information about their sperm donor for medical, social and emotional reasons.
Donors must register information for example physical characteristics and medical background and identifying information such as full name and date of birth.
Recipients of donor sperm are allowed access to non-identifying information only and those conceived with donor sperm can also request the non-identifying informationfrom the age of 16 and the identifying information from the age of 18.
The donor will be notified before any information is released.
Legal responsibility of sperm donors at sperm banks
Sperm donors donating through licensed clinics have NO legal or financial responsibility for any child conceived using their sperm, even if the donor-conceived individual contacts you.
What is the procedure at a sperm bank?
You will be required to produce identification and you willbe asked to complete a questionnaire about your personal and family medical history.
You will then be asked to produce a sperm sample in a private room. Sperm banks usually recommend that you abstain from sex or masturbation for three days before your appointment in order to produce the best possible sample.
Your sperm sample will then be analyzed to check for sperm count, motility and normal shape and form.
If your sample is suitable you will then have to have blood and urine tests to screen for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Further tests on your blood and urine include:
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ABO-Rh Blood typing
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HIV
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HTLV I/II
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
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Hepatitis B Core Antibody
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Hepatitis C Viral Antibody
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Syphilis (RPR)
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CMV lgG/lgM
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Chlamydia
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Gonorrhea
Once you are accepted as a donor you can make donations when ever you want and a commitment to making regular donations is important as sperm banks like to collect 20-25 samples from each donor.
Every sperm sample must be frozen and held in quarantine for six months. After this period of time you will be asked to visit the sperm bank again for further blood and urine tests.
Related Articles:
Choosing a sperm bank donor
Motile Sperm Pre Thaw and Post Thaw
Washed Sperm or Unwashed Sperm?
How many children is a donor allowed to conceive?