The Gift of Life: Understanding the Basics of Sperm Donation

Is your partner’s infertility shattering your dream of becoming a mother? You are not alone. There are a lot of couples struggling with infertility issues. And for those unfortunate couples, sperm donation emerged as a ray of hope to enlighten their path to parenthood. If you wish to become a parent, you should read further to learn more about sperm donation, how it works, and its effectiveness.

What is Sperm Donation, and How Does it Work?

Sperm donation is a process where a male donor ejaculates his semen samples into a sterile container. The collected sample is mixed with cryopreservative solution, divided into aliquots, and kept in liquid nitrogen. It is an effective and safe method. In couples where the male partner suffers from infertility or a female who wants to conceive an embryo without a male partner can benefit from sperm donation. It is an important part of the IVF(In Vitro Fertilization) lifecycle. Other procedures like IUI(Intrauterine Insemination) require sperm donors.

The collection of samples begins at the sperm bank. After the samples are collected, the sperm is frozen and kept for 180 days. After that, sperm are tested to ensure it’s healthy enough to be donated and can handle being frozen. This testing is especially recommended for first-time donors to make sure their sperm is good to go.

Sperms of good quality are used for insemination. Using a thin catheter, embryologists transfer the sperm into the woman’s uterus. During donor IUI, the woman undergoes ovarian insemination, which increases the chances of getting pregnant. Sometimes, if the woman has trouble getting pregnant due to infertility issues, the doctor might suggest IVF with donor eggs. There are mainly two procedures done with sperm donors:

• IVF Procedure: The sample that donors provide is washed before presenting it to the doctor. With the help of the catheter, the sperm is placed inside the woman’s uterus. The process is easy and pain-free, There is no downtime. To determine the success of the procedure, a pregnancy test is performed after two to three weeks.

• IUI Procedure: Under this procedure, sperms are infused with retrieved eggs in the IVF laboratory. After fertilization, the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus, where they can implant and begin to grow. The pregnancy test is performed after two weeks of implantation to determine the success of the procedure. 

Who Qualifies as a Sperm Donor?

Donating sperm is a simple task, but everyone can qualify to donate semen samples. You should fulfill the proper criteria to fall into the eligible sperm donor category. Let’s discuss each parameter in detail below:

• Age

Men lose fertility and their sperm become genetically abnormal as they age. Therefore, the ideal age for a sperm donor is around 18 to 39 years. Men between these ages are considered suitable donors.

• Medical History

The donor should share his medical history while donating sperm. Each donor is evaluated for medical and hereditary conditions.

• Physical Examination

A thorough physical examination is done to check the current medical condition of the donor. Multiple tests are carried out to ensure the donor is not a carrier of a contagious disease like HIV.    

• Semen Analysis

Practitioners also test sperm count, motility, and morphology. Semen samples are collected after two to five days of abstinence and undergo examination. These tests are conducted to assess the fertility of the semen and determine its capability to result in a pregnancy.

• Psychological analysis

Alongside a thorough physical examination, donors are required to undergo psychological testing. These assessments aim to confirm the emotional and psychological well-being of the donor. It is necessary to assess the donor’s capacity to manage the emotional implications associated with sperm donation. Additionally, counseling is provided to the donors regarding the future relationship with the recipient and the child.

If the donor passes each stage with golden colors, then he does qualify as a donor. Many sperm banks pay a certain amount to the donor for sperm donation. But, the amount paid is not for encouraging more people to donate sperm. It is compensation for the donor’s time.

What is the Success Rate of Sperm Insemination?

How to Find The Right Sperm Donor

Donors can be known or someone anonymous. In the case of known donors, the seeking couples can ask their relatives or other known people to donate sperm. If you don’t want your sperm donor to be one of your known ones, you can get it from a sperm bank. Getting sperm from a sperm bank requires following a procedure. You can contact a sperm donation center in Chandigarh to get full information about the sperm donation process.

• Reputation of Sperm Bank

It is crucial to choose a sperm bank that follows the laws related to sperm donation to ensure legal parentage. You can consult with your fertility specialist to obtain a list of reputable sperm banks that offer high-quality samples. Additionally, some banks may provide detailed information about the donors to help you make an informed decision.

• Donor’s Medical History

When choosing a donor, it’s essential to ensure that you select the right person. To do so, request the donor’s HIV report and confirm that they have been tested for infectious, contagious, and hereditary diseases. It is within your rights to inquire about the donor’s family medical history to verify the absence of any communicable diseases that may run in their family.

• Physical Features

Some parents expect their child to have certain physical features. Therefore, particular body traits such as eye color, complexion, and height are given great importance. You can ask the sperm donation clinic in Chandigarh for the donor’s details like siblings, features, and family history.

Take Away

Sperm donation is a beautiful concept that offers the gift of life, serving as a blessing for couples facing challenges in conception. For accurate and reliable information, it is advisable to reach out to a reputable sperm bank and consult with an infertility specialist.