Sperm donation is a medical process where a man provides semen to help individuals or couples achieve pregnancy. This offers a pathway to parenthood for those facing male infertility, single women, or same-sex female couples, assisting family building when natural conception is not possible.
Donor Eligibility and Screening
A rigorous screening process ensures the safety and quality of donated sperm. Potential donors undergo a comprehensive review of their medical and family history to identify inheritable conditions or health risks.
Physical examinations assess general health. Extensive genetic testing screens for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell trait, and chromosomal abnormalities that could be passed to offspring.
Infectious disease screening prevents pathogen transmission, including testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections. Many clinics also conduct psychological evaluations to ensure donors understand the implications of their donation.
Donors typically fall within an age range of 18 to 35 years old and must demonstrate overall good health. This thorough screening protects the health of both recipients and any resulting children.
The Collection Process
Once a donor is approved, sperm collection typically occurs at the sperm bank or a designated fertility clinic. The collection takes place in a private, sterile room. Donors provide the sample through masturbation into a sterile collection cup.
The frequency of donations can vary, with some clinics allowing donations once or twice a week to maintain a consistent supply. After collection, the sample undergoes an immediate preliminary assessment, evaluating basic parameters like volume and initial motility.
Handling and Storage of Sperm
Following collection, the sperm sample is transported to a specialized laboratory for processing. Technicians analyze the sample for sperm count, motility, and morphology to ensure it meets quality standards. Specific cryoprotective agents are then added to the semen to protect the sperm cells from damage during freezing.
The prepared samples are placed into small, labeled vials or straws. Cryopreservation involves slowly lowering the temperature of the samples until they reach ultra-low temperatures.
The vials are then stored in large tanks of liquid nitrogen, maintaining temperatures around -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit). A mandatory quarantine period, often around six months, is implemented before the sperm units are released for use. During this time, the donor is retested for infectious diseases to confirm the absence of any newly acquired infections.
How Donated Sperm Is Used
Recipients utilize donated sperm through various assisted reproductive technologies to achieve pregnancy. One common method is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), where processed donor sperm is directly inserted into the recipient’s uterus around the time of ovulation.
Another method is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which involves fertilizing eggs with donor sperm in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the recipient’s uterus. IVF is often chosen in cases of more complex infertility or when IUI has not been successful.
Recipients typically select donors by reviewing comprehensive donor profiles provided by sperm banks. These profiles often include details such as physical characteristics, ancestry, medical history, and educational background. Fertility clinics guide recipients through the entire process.