Close this window to Go Back
 

sperm donation

SPERM DONATION

What does this mean??

If you have been diagnosed azoospermic or infertile this may mean that you have:

•  Little or no sperm.

•  A Vasectomy or reversal that has not worked.

•  Poor quality sperm which is unlikely to fertilise an egg

•  A likelihood of passing on an inherent disease.

The only remaining option for you and your partner to have a family could be the use of donated sperm.

This is from a man who has agreed to be a donor to help couples (single sex and single females) have this option and hopefully attain the quality of life they want.

Treatment

The treatment also involves running tests on the female partner to ensure they are producing eggs and that their tubes are healthy.

There are a number of different treatment options that you and your partner may undertake:

•  Intrauterine insemination (IUI),

•  IUI assisted (with drugs),

•  In vitro fertilisation (IVF).

These are determined by the clinician as to the patient's clinical needs.

If all is satisfactory IUI is the first preferred option, this involves the insemination being done at the fertile time of the month, when ovulating. (The clinic will have a medical programme/procedure to ascertain this). The sperm is loaded into a thin tube. This is then used to place the sperm at the neck of the womb (cervix) or into the womb itself.

Both partners can be together while this clinical procedure is taking place;

One can do a pregnancy test after 14 days hopefully giving a positive result. A blood test would also be done at this stage followed in 8 weeks time by a scan, to ascertain the heart beat of the (foetus) baby, and if all goes well your baby will be born seven months later.

Information about donors:

Donors have to be between the age of 18 and 45 in the UK but this varies throughout the world, all should go through a rigorous screening programme which is carried out by a specialised fertility clinic.

Donors will not usually be anyone you know, however known donations can be made from friends or relatives (a known donor).

The HFEA is the licensing body for all clinics in the UK (other countries have their own) they have strict legislation which all clinics comply with. This is to ensure that all males donating are healthy and free from sexually transmitted infections known inherent genetic defects, and are psychologically stable. Their sperm is frozen and quarantined for 6 months, after this period it is tested again and if healthy can then be used.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

“Where are the donors from?”.

UNITED KINGDOM

In January 2007 the HFEA (UK) regulations changed, the current position is as follows:

Most sperm donors are domiciled in the UK . Donated sperm from abroad requires authorisation (import licence) from the HFEA, which at this time is very difficult to obtain. This is mainly due to the applicant (importing clinic or person) having to prove to the HFEA that the clinic (and donor) exporting the sperm (to the UK ) follows the same strict criteria (HFEA legislation's) that UK clinics follow.

WORLDWIDE

Potential recipients in countries other than the UK need to check the legislation in their country. To give an example, in Australia and the USA all the differing states have their own legislation on the use of donated sperm.

Wherever you are in the world, your clinic should be able to inform you, of how best to obtain donated sperm and most importantly to provide you with information on

the emotional, practical and medical implications that are involved when using donated sperm. This will enable you and your partner to have “informed choice” to make this very important choice/decision.

“What are the rights of the donor and the recipient”

In the UK the rights/legislation were prior to April 2005 are as follows are follows:

•  The donor has no rights over the recipient and/or the developing child (see explanation on embryos).

•  The recipient has no rights over the donor.

•  The developing child (from donated sperm or gametes) at the age of 18 has the right to access data about his or her genetic origin (though the HFEA data base), only the child not his/her parents.

The information available is as follows:

•  The donors name and name at birth if different.

•  Their latest known address.

•  The donors date of birth and the town and district of birth.

•  The appearance of the donor.

In the event of the donor having children they (there children) do not have any rights to access information/data from the HFEA data base on the children born from there father/mother.

The donor has the right to access information on whether or not there has been a live birth from their donation.

The above describe the HFEA UK legislations only, in other countries this may not be the case. Your clinic or fertility legislator body will be able to inform you of the legislation in your country. If this is difficult to access post a requisite on the Mensfe notice board and the administration staff will endeavour to answer your question.

“What name goes on the birth certificate?”

In the UK the legal father is the partner or husband of the birthing mother. However written consent must be given by both partners for this treatment programme when registering with a specialised fertility clinic of their choice. The legal parents (Mother and Father) do not need to be married.

The legal mother and fathers name go on the birth certificate.

WORLDWIDE

Potential recipients in countries other than the UK need to check the legislation in their country. We are aware that in certain parts of Europe when using donated eggs, sperm, or undertaking surrogacy the birthing mother may not be the legal mother.

QUOTE:

"The provision of a gamete is also a life-giving gift that responds to the human need of others. Yet it is life-giving in a distinctive sense, for it does not keep others alive, but facilatates their ability to create life........" Cythia B. Cohen 1996.

 
 

Disclaimer: This site should not substitute personal professional, legal or medical advice. The accuracy and personal applicability of this information is not guaranteed. By using it you agree to the terms of service, including jurisdiction and limitation of liability provisions.

© 2007-2013 Mensfe All rights reserved