Using Donor Sperm

Some couples are infertile because the male partner has a low sperm count, is not producing any sperm at all, or if there is a high possibility of passing on a known genetic condition.

If there is a known female fertility problem, it may be advised that some woman undergo a schedule of medication (ovulation induction treatment) prior to insemination in order to stimulate her ovaries, to assist egg production prior to an IUI procedure.

Donor sperm can also be used as part of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) if a previous IUI treatment has been unsuccessful.

A sperm donor is allowed to create a maximum of 10 families in the UK.  If you do get pregnant using donor sperm  you can purchase more ‘vials’ of frozen donor sperm from the same donor for future sibling use.  Once you have a livebirth, you have created a ‘family’  and any future pregnancies you may have using the same donor would be counted as a single family slot. There is a small risk that the donor you may have selected would have achieved the 10 family limit by the time you have your treatment in which case you may be asked to select another donor.

By law, the donors identifying details must be provided to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to be maintained on its confidential register. This also applies to donors who are from overseas. In April 2005, a new law came into force to remove anonymity from sperm, egg and embryo donors. This means that children conceived after this date as a result of such donation may, if they so desire, contact the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) when they are 18 years of age or older to receive identifying information about the donor.