How Sperm Donors Are Screened

Sperm donors are tested for physical, genetic and mental traits to ensure that they do not carry infectious diseases. They have weekly appointments to drop off a sample of semen for screening.

The donor decides how much involvement they want to have with any children born using their sperm. He will usually sign an agreement that states this.

Donor Profiles

Before sperm can be donated for family building, medical professionals will screen the donor. They are required by law to submit to a detailed medical history and genetic testing for recessive disorders when showing the sperm donor pictures. The sperm has to be quarantined in a sealed container for 6 months before being used for insemination. Once the sperm has been used, the donor must meet with a genetic counselor and provide a signed release form before being able to donate again. Donors are paid $150 for each acceptable sperm sample and receive bonus payments for each donation. Donors also undergo a physical and a psychological evaluation and abstain from sexual activity for two to three days before each collection appointment.

Cryos offers three types of sperm donors profiles: Basic, Exclusive, and Extended. The Basic sperm profile is a picture with information about the donor. The Extended sperm donation profile includes additional information such as the ethnic background of the donor and their educational level. The Extended sperm donor profile also includes childhood pictures of the donor, giving prospective offspring an idea of what their child will look like as an adult.

A sperm donation involves a man providing his sperm to be used in the artificial insemination of women with whom he has no other relationship. The man, known as a sperm donor, gives up all legal rights to any children that result from his donations and may not have any contact with the offspring. This type of donation is sometimes referred to as shared parenthood, although the legal definition of the term differs by jurisdiction.

Sperm donations can be carried out by sperm banks, sperm agencies, and other third party fertility providers. The sperm may be donated anonymously, or in a private agreement with the donor. He may or not agree to some degree of contact with biological offspring. Many sperm donators have limits on how many pregnancies are acceptable to them.

Donor Medical History

Sperm donors are subject to strict screening requirements by sperm banks. Donors are required to agree to provide a sample of sperm and undergo extensive testing according FDA regulations. Donors are required to provide information on their health and medical history, including any family history of hereditary conditions. Donors undergo screening for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, Tay-Sachs, Canavan’s syndrome, and herpes viruses A and C. They are also tested for genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease. Many spermbanks also allow donors to select desired physical, ethnic, religious, and educational characteristics for the offspring. This practice has raised concerns among some ethicists who worry about the specter of eugenics.

Recipients may choose a donor from an agency’s pool of potential donors or they can seek a private or “directed” donation. Directed donations are often arranged through the Internet, on websites and via brokers. In some cases, the recipient may know the donor personally or they may be able to meet in person. This arrangement can raise concerns about the rights of the donor. Especially when the donor knows the details of the intended pregnancies.

Most agencies require donors sign a contract agreeing to supply semen between six and twenty-four month. The sperm is then frozen and stored for future use. The donor is required to give the name of woman to whom he wants to donate his sperm.

Donors who wish to donate sperm on an ongoing basis are generally required to undergo medical testing every two weeks. This includes a basic examination, weighing, and measuring vital signs. Donors are also asked to list their medications and may be required to complete a psychological evaluation.

Donor Photos

The quality and quantity of photos taken by a donor will be a major factor in the decision-making process of intended parents. A good photo will show that the donor is attractive and approachable. If the photo of a sperm donor or egg donor is blurry, dark or grainy, intended parents are likely to pass over that profile.

Ideally, a sperm or egg donor should have at least one clear, well-lit photo showing his smile and his eyes. It’s important to have full-body shots as well. It’s also best to avoid photos that rely on too many filters or a heavy amount of makeup. Donors should instead try to appear relaxed and natural. The goal is to show intended parents that the donor can be approachable, friendly and kind.

Some cryobanks offer photos of donors’ childhood, adulthood, and other life stages. These photos help intended parents see what their child may look like at different ages, so they can better imagine the family that they’re building.

Parents can also look at specific physical traits in donor photos, such a hair color or height. Parents can search for a donor with certain attributes using facial recognition software. The sperm or egg donor who best matches the desired physical traits will appear first in a list of results.

Some cryobanks offer additional information to accompany the photos in a donor’s profile. This includes medical and genetic histories. A summary profile can be a two-page overview that includes the medical and genetic history of both a donor’s family and himself.

Donor Extended Profiles

Donors who have extended profiles will give you a complete picture of the person they are. They can share their hobbies, talents, likes and dislikes, as well as information about their family history, religious beliefs, and education. They can also describe their health conditions. This information will help you decide if the donor is right for you.

Cryos offers sperm donors the option of choosing between a Basic or Extended Profile. If you’re interested in learning more and want the complete picture of a particular donor, you should select a sperm donator with an Extended profile. These profiles contain a more detailed medical and genetic history of three generations, as well as an impression from the Cryos team (a brief subjective description written by a Cryos member). The Extended profile is available with our Level II subscription plan or can be purchased a la carte for download.

The study also found a majority of non-ID release donors were willing to be tracked and contacted by the offspring of their donors. No matter what their wishes are, sperm donors should be able explain their motivations for donating honestly and openly.

If a donor of sperm or eggs does not want to be identified, it is their right and should always be respected. In fact, it is the responsibility of the clinic or sperm bank to honour that preference. The donor can decide whether or not they want to be identifiable, but should also indicate that they are willing to provide information about themselves to their children upon request. This is often referred to as non-identifiable or non-contact donation.