Sperm donation is a medical procedure where a male provides sperm to assist individuals or couples in achieving pregnancy. This process supports those facing infertility, single parents by choice, and LGBTQ+ families in building their families. Donor sperm is commonly used in assisted reproductive technologies like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Donor Eligibility and Health Screening
Becoming a sperm donor involves meeting stringent criteria for health and quality. Most sperm banks typically accept donors between the ages of 18 and 35 or 39, though some may extend this range slightly. This age range helps maintain optimal sperm quality and minimizes potential genetic risks from older paternal age.
A comprehensive medical and family health history is also collected to screen for inheritable diseases and genetic conditions across at least two generations. Donors undergo physical examinations and often psychological assessments to confirm good health and understanding of the commitment. This detailed review helps identify any factors that might disqualify a potential donor.
Extensive infectious disease testing is part of the screening process, with tests for HIV-1/2, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis (RPR), gonorrhea, and chlamydia being standard. These tests are typically conducted during initial screening and repeated periodically, often every three months, while a donor is active. Additional tests may include HTLV-I/II, CMV, and West Nile Virus, among others, to ensure sample safety.
Initial semen analysis is performed on samples to assess sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape), indicators of sperm viability. A normal semen sample typically has a volume of at least 2 cubic centimeters, a pH between 7.2 and 8.0, and a concentration of at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. Post-thaw analysis ensures the sperm remains viable after cryopreservation, with a minimum standard often set at 20 million total motile cells per milliliter.
The Donation Procedure
The journey to becoming a sperm donor typically begins with an online application and an in-person interview at a sperm bank. This initial application gathers basic qualifications, including age, education, and health information, and helps determine if the applicant is a good fit for their program. Following the application, potential donors are usually invited to provide a preliminary sperm sample for analysis.
This initial sample is evaluated for quality (sperm count, motility, and morphology) to ensure it meets standards for cryopreservation and future use. If sperm quality is deemed suitable, the applicant proceeds to a comprehensive screening phase, including detailed questionnaires about family, medical, and sexual history, along with a background check and physical examination. Some clinics also require counseling to discuss donation implications.
Once accepted into a program, donors typically make regular donations, often once or twice a week, at the clinic in a private room. Each collected sample is prepared with cryoprotectant agents and frozen using liquid nitrogen. Frozen vials are placed into storage freezers, maintained at extremely low temperatures (e.g., minus 196 degrees Celsius), allowing for indefinite storage.
The process involves a quarantine period for the donated samples, typically lasting six months. During this time, the donor undergoes re-testing for infectious diseases to ensure no undetectable infections were present at donation. Only after a negative re-test are the samples released from quarantine and made available for use in fertility treatments, ensuring recipient safety.
Understanding Donor Anonymity and Compensation
Sperm donation involves various levels of anonymity, impacting future contact between donors and donor-conceived individuals. Many clinics offer both “Non-ID Release” (anonymous) and “ID Release” (identity-release) options. With an ID Release donation, the donor agrees to have identifying information, such as full name and contact details, shared with any offspring who request it upon reaching a specific age, typically 18 or 21, depending on laws. Non-ID Release donors maintain privacy, with their identity not disclosed by the clinic. However, advancements in at-home DNA testing services mean that complete anonymity cannot be guaranteed, as individuals may still be able to trace genetic relatives.
Regarding legal rights and responsibilities, sperm donors do not have parental rights or financial obligations for children conceived using their donations, provided the donation occurs through a licensed clinic and adheres to agreements. In the United States, the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) aims to standardize these laws, stating that a donor is not considered the legal father if certain conditions are met, such as licensed physician involvement. This framework helps protect anonymous donors from legal responsibility, though state laws can vary.
Donors are compensated for their time, effort, and commitment to the program, rather than for the sperm itself. The payment structure involves a per-donation fee, with amounts ranging from $35 to $200 per acceptable sample. Many programs also offer additional compensation or bonuses upon completing screening, reaching donation milestones, or after the final quarantine and re-testing. Donors who make regular weekly or twice-weekly donations can earn between $500 and $1,500 or more per month, with total earnings over six months reaching up to $8,400.