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Understanding Donor Sperm: What You Need to Know

October 22, 2024
Female Fertility Across Different Ages

Donor sperm may become a ray of hope for couples struggling with infertility issues. When natural conception is impossible, couples can take it as an alternative to conceive successfully. It can be a solution to infertility problems resulting from genetics, male fertility problems, or single parenthood. 

Men (sperm donors) donate sperm for procreation. Sperm can be used in conditions such as infertility treatments involving intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization. The donor can be anonymous, a known person (friend or relative), or a donor in a sperm bank. This blog helps readers understand more about donor sperm. 

How Donor Sperm Can Help in Infertility Treatments?

Donor sperm can be used in a variety of circumstances, for instance, if a couple is unable to conceive due to fertility problems in a male partner or a couple doesn’t want to pass on a genetic disorder. Sometimes, in cases of single parents and lesbian couples, they can go for donor sperm to conceive. 

Let’s see how a donor sperm can help in fertility treatments:  

  • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): In this process, the sperm from the donor is placed in the uterus during the time of ovulation. IUI is less complicated, and it is less expensive when compared to many other treatments of fertility. It is often best for people who do not have fertility problems but may be in need of sperm.
  • In-vitro fertilization (IVF): It involves inducing the ovaries to generate several eggs, which are then fertilized in a lab using donor sperm. Later, the embryos are transferred inside the uterus. This strategy is commonly employed when male infertility poses a significant challenge.
  • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): In this technique, a single sperm is injected into an egg to help it fertilize. This process can be used when there are issues with sperm quality or previous inadequacy of fertilization.

Overall, in sperm donation, the entire process remains the same in artificial insemination treatment, but the only difference is that it is conducted with a third-party donor (AID). The donor becomes the biological father, but the donor will not be considered the legal or social father of the child. 

Sperm Donation

Types of Sperm Donation

When it comes to sperm donors, couples can rest assured that a sperm bank, a facility that collects and stores sperm, screens the sample to ensure it is safe to use. The screening is done for infections like chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis, gonorrhea, and HIV, and genetic disorders. So, it is best to consult with licensed and certified fertility clinics and sperm banks by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research).

Here are the two main types of sperm donation: unsolicited donation and designated donation.

  • Anonymous Donation: The sperm donor does not know the recipient of the sperm sample that is taken to the clinic for insemination. Usually, straw sperm is obtained from an undescribed donor using a sperm bank. These banks usually give very long descriptions of the donors, including issues around their health, education, interests, and even temperaments.
  • Directed donation: The donor and the recipient of the donated sperm are known to one another, for example, being friends or relatives.

Medical Requirements for Donor Sperm

To conceive through donor sperm, the medical aspect has to be considered for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child. The important medical considerations involved are:

  • Genetic Testing: The donors should screen the donor for hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and others. This helps prevent the transfer of these diseases to the offspring.
  • Physical Health Requirements: The most common conditions governing sperm donors concern their general health, with many facilities rejecting individuals with a history of diseases or disabilities. Sperm banks may impose age restrictions; some companies have restrictions between 18 and 39 years, as age may decrease sperm quality.
  • Infectious Disease Testing: Blood is screened for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc. The idea is to have the sperm clear of infections that can be transmitted to the recipient or the fetus.
  • General Health Check: Before being accepted, recipients are also subjected to a number of tests to confirm their health, including blood, urine, and sometimes psychological tests.

Selecting the Sperm Banks: Factors to Consider

You must consider the following important factors before selecting the sperm banks. 

  • Reputation and Accreditation: Choose sperm banks that follow the legal obligations based on the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act, 2021, and have proper licenses. These accreditations can also guarantee compliance with safety and quality standards. 
  • Success Rates: Find out the sperm bank’s effectiveness rate. Many banks also disclose ART success rates, making them an important key to judging the service’s efficiency.
  • Donor Screening and Testing: Make sure the sperm bank has stringent criteria regarding the donors, including the family and personal history, genetic profile, and infectious disease test results. This is important when considering the child’s physical well-being. 

The Bottom Line

Using donor sperm can be a life-changing decision for individuals and couples looking to start or grow their families. With the latest medical processes, infertility can be treated. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that the sperm bank or donor you choose must be examined properly. 

Are you searching for the Best  IVF Centre in Delhi and want consultations with some experienced professionals regarding sperm donors? The Best IVF Clinic In Delhi is there to guide you on your path to parenthood. We have a sperm cryopreservation facility, and you can schedule a consultation today to get more information.

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