Friday, September 26, 2008

Sperm Donation Requirements

By Thulas Sukati


Sperm donation is an alternative method of providing sperm for conception to a woman or couple, the sperm donor is a stranger. The male that does this is called a sperm donor and the facility where it is checked and stored is called a sperm bank.

Those who practice sperm donation usually do so with their identity withheld but laws exist to ensure the sperm is not used on too many occasions. When the donor is known it is usually because of an agreement between a woman or couple to have a baby using the sperm of someone close to them.

Although the practice of anonymous sperm donation is much more the norm and details of the donor are withheld from the recipient. While initially the sperm donor may wish to remain anonymous, this may not last as recent changes in the law in some countries means that a sperm donor or children conceived with his sperm may wish to contact one another.

The health of the sperm donor is paramount and tests for HIV, disabilities, sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis, drug abuse or any genetic conditions are carried out on the sperm donor. With safety in mind, sperm banks have become very cautious in recent years and a sperm donor's medical history must be studied along with the type of person he is so that this information can be used when sperm is matched to the recipient.

Once that is complete, the sperm will be subjected to further tests to check that sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis, for example, are not present but other details like his blood group and RH type will also be taken at this time. Safety of the woman and her child are paramount so these test will ensure neither are at risk from infection contained within the sperm.

This is made possible by tests carried on the donated sperm at the sperm bank and to ensure the sperm will be viable, all details are carefully recorded before the donor can be registered with them. Once this has been completed, all sperm donations are placed in quarantine for approximately six months so that the health of the sperm can be checked thoroughly.

Male infertility can mean that many infertility treatments currently available will not be possible if the man suffers with male factor infertility. There are a number of sperm issues that make it difficult if not impossible for a man to impregnate his partner such as abnormally shaped sperm, sperm that do not move properly or a low sperm count. Increasing numbers of women and couples trying for a child are finding the benefits of sperm donation to achieve their dream.

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