Sperm donation is the name of a medical procedure in which a man gives his sperm to help an individual or couple have children. It is an important process in assisted reproductive technologies such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Single women, same-sex couples, and couples facing male infertility or other fertility issues may benefit from sperm donation. In this post, we will discuss what are the needs, procedures, advantages, and costs of sperm donation.
What is Needed to Donate Sperm?
There are a few things you have to do to become a sperm donor. These precautions are necessary to make sure that it is safe for both the donor and the woman receiving his sperm for reproduction.
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Age Criteria
There are usually specific age limits at most sperm banks or fertility centers. Most semen donors are 18 to 40 years of age. That’s because sperm is healthier (with better motility and a better chance of fertilizing an egg) in younger men. Men who are older than this age however may still be considered but their sperm should be screened/ tested prior to being used.
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Health and Medical History
A sperm donor should be in excellent general health. Medical history is very crucial to sperm donor eligibility. Donors will need to go through a number of tests to confirm they are free of hereditary disorders, STIs and hereditary conditions they could potentially pass on to children.
- Genetic Testing: Common donor tests for genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia and other heritable diseases.
- STIs: Donors will need to be tested for a range of infections such as HIV, hepatitis and syphilis.
- The potential donor will also undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation that includes a physical exam and semen analysis, to assess the health of the donor and the characteristics of the sperm.
- Modifiable Risk Factors: Quality of sperm is also affected by lifestyle. Donors are also usually asked to adhere to specific instructions concerning the intake of alcohol, smoking and drugs. Since smoking can have a dramatic effect on sperm count and motility, most sperm banks prefer non-smokers. Drug use, including of marijuana and anabolic steroids, can disqualify a potential donor as well.
- In addition, past mental illness or substance abuse could also result in exclusion from the sperm donation program.
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Psychological Evaluation
The psychological examination is designed to make sure the men are fully aware of what donating sperm entails. That also includes the emotional effect of having children fathered from their donation. Some donors may be asked to see a counselor who can determine their reasons for donating sperm and make sure that they are at peace with the idea of future ramifications.
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Consent and Legal Issues
In all sperm donation cases, both private arrangements and those arranged through a clinic, the donor should sign a contract that releases them from all legal rights and obligations regarding the child. Nearly all donors sign away their rights and responsibilities as a parent to the child created with their sperm. Legal matters about anonymity and donor rights can be different among countries and perhaps even sperm banks, so it’s important to understand the terms in advance.
The Sperm Donation Process
There are several steps to the sperm donation process. Below are the key phases of the sperm donation process.
First Screening and Enrolment
When a prospective donor contacts a sperm bank to donate a sample of their sperm, they must pass a preliminary screening. This usually requires completing a health and lifestyle questionnaire. You can also schedule an initial phone or in person consult with a fertility clinic.
Health and Medical Evaluation
The donor is tested following the initial studies. Medical tests that may be needed are:
- Tests to check blood for genetics and infectious diseases.
- Semen testing to measure sperm count, motility and morphology (shape and size).
- Physical examination to exclude any health conditions that might impact the quality of the sperm.
Sperm Collection
After donor is approved by medical examination, then sperm collection will proceed. Sperm donation is typically not a complicated procedure and requires only masturbation at a location that has been designated for the purpose. The sperm is then examined and the best sperm is chosen to be frozen.
After collection, the sperm is frozen (cryopreserved) and can be preserved indefinitely for use in assisted reproductive procedures.
Cryopreservation and Storage
The semen sample is processed, frozen, and stored. Cryoprotectants are added to the freezing process to shield sperm cells from ice injury or damage. The sperm is subsequently frozen in liquid nitrogen at temperatures as low as −196°C and can be cryopreserved for many years without significantly losing viability.
Use of Donated Sperm
After thawing, the sperm can be used to perform several fertility techniques such as:
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): Sperm is placed directly into the uterus to increase the likelihood of fertilization.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): The sperm is used to fertilize an egg in a laboratory (ICSI clinic in Gurgaon), and the embryo that forms is then implanted in the uterus.
Benefits of Sperm Donation
There are multiple advantages to sperm donation for both donors and recipients. Here are some of the advantages.
Helping Others Build Families
The most rewarding aspects of sperm donation include the chance to help others in desperate need of your services to have a child. Couples, single women and same-sex couples are all known to turn to sperm donors to conceive a child biologically. Donating your sperm can be quite fulfilling in that your contribution can help others in realizing their dreams of starting a family.
Financial Compensation
Although commonly performed altruistically, there can be a financial motive for sperm donation. Donors are usually paid for their contribution. Remuneration varies between clinics and locations and is designed to compensate for travel and other associated costs (including time off work) as well as the intervention. Receivers in some markets may be compensated for donations.
Maintaining Anonymity
Often, sperm donors can be anonymous. That can be a plus for anyone who is interested in helping others without the thought of their offspring out in the world. Men working as donors are offered a choice if they wish to be anonymous or known to themselves and/or the donor-conceived offspring at the age of 14-16, depending on the country in which the sperm bank is located.
No Parental Responsibility
You are not under any legal obligation to contribute to the child’s support or to seek or accept custody of the child as long as you are a sperm donor. Most sperm donors sign their rights away from their children and let the rearing couple make all parents’ decisions.
Cost of Sperm Donation
Prices can range for sperm donation based on clinic, location and services offered. Key Costs to Consider for Sperm Donation:-
Cost of Sperm Bank Services
Semen banks apply fees for the collection, processing, and storage of semen. This can be anywhere from ₹8,250 to ₹15,000 per donation, and storage fees are usually billed by the year. Storing sperm for long periods of time might also incur an extra expense, depending on the amount of time you store it for.
Fertility Treatment Costs
As the recipient of donor sperm, there may be some additional costs, particularly if you are going to fertility treatment such as an IUI or IVF. IVF might have a price from Rs 1.5 to 2.5 Lakhs per round, while IUI is generally more affordable, and costs between Rs 10 to 15,000 per cycle.
Please note: The final cost is determined after a consultation with IVF specialists and necessary investigations.
Conclusion
Sperm donation is an invaluable work that has helped countless people and couples who struggle with infertility achieve the families they have always wanted. If you are thinking of becoming a sperm donor, or considering sperm donation as an intended parent in need, it is good to be aware of what you need to do, how you go about it and what the positive repercussions and costs of being a sperm donor are.
SCI IVF Hospital is a leading IVF and ICSI Hospital. We are backed by experienced healthcare professionals. We provide incomparable IVF treatments in Noida to our visiting patients from the clinic. We understand that not being able to get pregnant can be distressing, which is why we are committed to providing excellent medical care in order to support you through your fertility treatment with kindness and understanding.
If you are thinking of donating sperm, or have concerns about fertility treatment, the team at SCI IVF is here for you from start to finish. Book a consultation today!
