Θυατείρων 3, Νέα Σμύρνη / 3, Thiatiron Str. 171 21, Nea Smirni

Donor sperm

From the World’s largest Sperm Bank

How safe is it?

The donor sperm (and the donor) is screened at least for infections[1] and genetic deseases[2], in order to prevent transmission to the receiver or the child. A personal and family history is taken from each donor, who also undergoes a personality testing (Keirsey test).

The tests are performed in order to reduce the risk of transmission, but the screening cannot eliminate the risk, because:

  • not all genetic disorders/diseases have tests, or,
  • it is impractical or otherwise not feasible to do such tests for every known disorder/disease and,
  • no diagnostic test can guarantee at 100% the lack of the disease (every diagnostic test can only guarantee that the factor in exam “has not been detected”).

Furthermore, there is no guarantee that a child born using the donor sperm will be free of disease or physical or mental defects. In the general population, every pregnancy bears a certain risk of having a child with a birth defect or mental deficiency.

[1] HIV-1,2 (AIDS), HBV (hepatitis Β), HCV (hepatitis C), HTLV-1,2 (adult T-cell leucemia), Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia), Neisseria gonorrheae (gonorrhea) etc

[2] Karyotype analysis and test for diseases whose prevalence is higher than 1 per 5.000 births in the race or ethnic group where the donor belongs.

When is the donor sperm needed?

Some families need the help of a donor to complete. In most cases, the receiver is unmarried/single. However, there are cases in which the husband does not produce spermatozoa (azoospermia) or carries a genetic disorder for which there is no other way to prevent transmission to the child (in this case, consult a geneticist).

Although semen donation is a quite popular issue in assisted reproduction, it is very rare not to observe at least some spermatozoa neither after an appropriate treatment.

When you shall NOT use donor sperm?

Do NOT use donor sperm when your sperm is ‘weak’. A ‘weak’ sperm may be due to a condition for which competent to make the diagnosis and recommend the proper treatment is only an urologist.

It is important to denote the case of a couple which already had two failed IVFs by using the husband’s sperm and her gynaecologist proposed them to try with a donor sperm the next time. The husband had a low number and low motility sperm, but he had never consulted an urologist, yet. He visited an urologist only after he visited our web site page on donor sperm. The urologist diagnosed the presence of tumour of the testicle and the patient followed the proper treatment. Furthermore, the husband was found infected from Ureaplasma u., which had not been detected in his wife until then. A few months later, having cured the tumour in the husband and the Ureaplasma u. in both partners, having a sperm significantly improved in population and motility, the couple can choose whether it will keep trying with the husband’s sperm or with a donor’s one, however without Ureaplasma u. nor tumour.

What to consider BEFORE you decide to use donor sperm

Before you decide to use donor semen, the husband/partner shall have a semen analysis (andro–test) at a certified Spermatology laboratory. Even when no spermatozoa are observed or semen quality is low, the cause shall be investigated only by an UROLOGIST.

A weak sperm could be improved if the urologist makes the diagnosis and recommends the proper treatment.

Each time there are no spermatozoa observed, it does not mean there are none. Even when no spermatozoa are produced, there may still be a treatment. When the urologist has tried every appropriate treatment, forthwith no motile spermatozoa are observed, the urologist may decide to look for spermatozoa directly in the testis by performing a biopsy. However, there are cases for which no treatment is available, yet.

Even in the case the receiver is unmarried/single, it is very important to exclude the presence of any hormonal disorder or infection, especially from Ureaplasmas, Mycoplasmas and Chlamydia tr., before the treatment (i.e. intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization).

The hormonal disorders may cause hyperstimulation of the ovaries, eclampsia or at least influence the development of the fetus. Some symptoms related to hormonal disorders are: cycle duration over 29days or irregular, the presence of polycystic ovaries, uterine fibroids or endometrioses. The hormonal disorders shall be investigated and treated only by an ENDOCRINOLOGIST.

If there is a urogenital tract infection, the intrauterine insemination (IUI) or any technique of assisted reproduction (e.g. IVF) are compromised already by the beginning, especially the infections from Ureaplasma u. or p., Mycoplasma h. or g. and Chlamydia tr., because these microbes may cause abortion or even severe problems to the foetus.

After all, having a successful IVF or IUI is not enough, unless your health is ensured first. An infection that remained untreated in your partner may compromise his prostate’s health, while this will be the cause of recurrent UTIs at both partners in the future.

It is also very important to consult a PSYCOLOGIST, who will help you get more consciously prepared for your choice.

Which is the procedure?

You will find here all the information that could help you decide about the use of donor sperm. Please do not hesitate to call us or write us an e-mail if you have any questions. Our staff will assist you in selecting the ideal donor for you by providing you any relative information at any stage of the procedure. Our objective is to provide premier donor sperm services including transportation of cryopreserved reproductive material that emphasizes safety, security, and service. We work to provide safe, secure services using the latest cryopreservation technology, testing and screening that serves to protect your health and complies with the Greek and European requirements.

The forms SBD01, SBD02 and SBD04 (find them at the bottom of this page) explain what you should expect from semen donation, cryopreservation services and the semen bank SPERMLAB. They also explain what SPERMLAB needs from you.

We consider it important having an interview with you, in which we will answer to any questions you may have. Actually, we consider it being our duty to provide you with all the information you need before you make a decision. This is why this interview is offered without any charge. Our objective is to help you decide consciously after having been given the most complete information.

For your convenience, in order to have enough time to decide for the use of donor sperm and the choice of the ideal donor for you, you would have better think of this interview at least one month before your planned treatment (IUI or IVF).

Which information is available?

We provide information about the donor, including a certificate of the medical and laboratory screening, information about his physical characteristics, such as hair and eye color, height, weight, blood type, race, ethnicity/ancestry, profession/education. In addition, some donors offer more information about themselves, such as personal profiles, family tree, audios, profile silhouettes, childhood photos, emotional intelligence and staff impressions to assist you in the selection of the donor who is best for you.

Learn even more:

Read more about the procedure in our web page about the Sperm preparation for IUI.

Make sure you read about these interesting case reports.

You also need to study the following forms:

E.520-1en– “Informed consent form for receiving anonymous donor semen”

E.520-2en – “Declaration of unmarried receiver”

E.520-3en – “Informed consent form for reservation of anonymous donor semen”

You may also find interesting these publications regarding sperm donation:

Parapolitika Journal 26.11.’12 – Sperm donations out of control

SHAPE Jan ’12 – Why is a semen analysis important

Eleftherotypia Journal 31.7.’11 – The Sperm Banks in Greece

Is there a risk of incest?

The children born from gametes of the same donor, but from different mothers, are brothers by half. Scientific studies have estimated that the risk of incest is insignificant, if there is less than 1 child of the same donor per 200.000 residents. The pregnancy quota in Greece is 10 children per donor, exception made for siblings.

Reporting and tracking of every pregnancy or undesired event is very important in order to know the number of children born and whether they are healthy. For the safety of donations, we ask each receiver to report these events as sooner as possible. If the receiver does not get in contact with us, we contact the receiver or her doctor in order to register at least the pregnancy.

How much does it cost?

The donor sperm will cost you about 200euro. This cost depends on the population of spermatozoa you need for your treatment (IUI, IVF or ICSI). Usually you do not need more than 5millions of spermatozoa with progressive motility.

This cost refers to the compensation of the sperm bank for the services required until the sperm is donated to you safely. These services include the expenses for the medical and laboratory screening of the donor and his sperm, the compensation of the donor, the cryopreservation cost and the transfer under safe conditions to you.