Sperm donation is a fertility treatment option that may be considered when a couple or individual needs donor sperm to achieve pregnancy. Donor sperm can be used in donor insemination or as part of IVF treatment, depending on the medical needs of the patient and the treatment plan advised by the fertility team.

Sperm donation may involve the use of an anonymous donor or, in some cases, a known donor, including a relative of the husband, where all parties are in agreement. In such situations, careful attention is given to the ethical, psychological, and medical considerations involved.

At Nordica Fertility Centre, sperm donors are carefully selected and screened to help ensure safety and suitability. Donors are typically healthy men with normal fertility, no history of mental illness, and no known genetic or inherited conditions. They are usually between the ages of 21 and 30, and in many cases may already have children of their own.

Before donor sperm is accepted for use, donors go through detailed medical screening. This includes physical and genital examination, as well as testing for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, syphilis, and gonorrhoea. Screening for genetic conditions such as sickle cell disease is also carried out. The donor’s blood group and Rhesus factor are also determined as part of the screening process.

All donor sperm is frozen and stored for a minimum quarantine period before use. This helps allow for repeat infectious disease testing, particularly for HIV, to ensure the sperm remains safe for treatment. Because freezing can reduce sperm quality, only donors with a high number of motile sperm are usually considered suitable.

Counselling is also an important part of the sperm donation process. This helps ensure that donors understand the medical, emotional, and legal implications of donation, including the fact that they give up all rights to the donated sperm and that identities remain confidential.