About Sperm Donations

There are nearly 150 sperm banks throughout the United States. Most major cities contain a sperm bank, usually near the local college. This is largely because between 50 and 90 percent of sperm donations are provided by college students (Stanford Statistic). These sperm banks are in constant need of donations to help women and couples have children. Though donations are needed, the donation process often disqualifies most potential donors.

Criteria

In order to even apply to donate sperm, potential donors must meet certain criteria. The first of these criteria is not participating in high-risk behaviors for HIV infection. This means that those who have participated in prostitution, homosexual activity at any point in their life, or intravenous drug use are unable to donate. Also, if certain diseases run in the potential donor's family such as sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis, the applicant is unable to donate.

Screening

After the initial criteria have been met, the potential donor goes through a detailed screening process. The first step of this process is a detailed review of your health and life. The donor will be asked about his sex life and behaviors, why he wants to donate sperm, and about his family's health history. The donor's blood will then be drawn and tested for hepatitis, HIV and other infectious diseases that would disqualify him. The donor will also have a full physical done to test his overall health, as well as look for signs of intravenous drug use. Finally, the potential donor will be asked to leave a sperm specimen to be tested for sperm count and mobility.

Process

After four to eight weeks the donor will be notified whether he qualifies to give regular donations. Only about 5 percent of applicants actually qualify to donate. The donation process involves giving sperm donations at regular intervals. The process involves going to a private room and masturbating into a sterile container. The room is usually filled with masturbatory aids to help the process along. After the sample has been given, it is labeled and sealed for further processing.

Storage

Once the sample is collected it is removed from the container and mixed with a cryopreservative. The cryopreservative allows the sperm bank to deep-freeze the sample without damaging the sperm inside. The vials are then frozen with liquid nitrogen at temperatures reaching minus 300 degrees F until needed for transplant into a potential mother.

Pay and Responsibility

Those donating sperm can make up to $6,000 per year, or about $50 to $100 per visit. However, the sperm donor is only allowed to father 10 children. Once the donor's sperm has successfully impregnated 10 women, he is no longer allowed to donate. Donors will always remain anonymous and have no legal or financial responsibility to any child that is created from their donations.