When we hear about a sperm bank, the first thing that comes to mind is that it’s a place where sperm is stored. Okay, but what is its purpose? For those who aren’t familiar with the subject, it may even sound strange, but in fact, the sperm bank helps many women and couples fulfill their dream of having a child. In addition to this function, the sperm bank is also responsible for storing human sperm for future use, in the case of men who are about to undergo surgery, are undergoing cancer treatment, or have simply decided to store it in case they want to have a child in the future. For men undergoing cancer treatment, after chemotherapy sessions their fertility might not return to normal, so storing their sperm in a sperm bank is an alternative for having children in the future. There used to be only a few sperm bank facilities in the world, but this has been expanding more and more each day. Nowadays, they can be easily found in different locations, including online, as with online sperm banks. Each of them provides their own rules and procedures, ranging from complete anonymity to allowing donor and couple contact. For the donor, it is considered a voluntary act, as long as no payment is made or charged. In Brazil, the sale of sperm is prohibited, unlike the United States, where it is permitted and commercialized. However, in Brazil, several ads from “potential donors” can be found offering to help couples or women, but extreme caution should be exercised with these ads to avoid scams or even acquiring contaminated material.
How to Be a Donor?
To be a donor, you need to be between 18 and 45 years old, have no genetic diseases, be healthy and not belong to any sexually transmitted disease risk group, as well as be available to take all the required tests and provide samples. In exchange for the donation, the donor receives the results of all their tests, including a complete semen analysis, serological tests, sperm culture, karyotype, and blood typing test, in addition to complete follow-up with a urologist. The sperm bank not only stores sperm but also offers semen preparation services for fertilization procedures, semen freezing for future use, complete sperm analysis, and the voluntary donation program and provision of voluntary donor sperm for assisted reproduction.
Questions About Sperm Banks
When a couple that is unable to have a child naturally because the man is completely sterile seeks help from specialized assisted reproduction and IVF clinics, sperm bank services are offered. At the time of registration, all the information sought in a donor is requested. A catalog of donor information is provided to the couple, showing ethnicity, age, hair color, eye color, weight, height, blood type, occupation, and hobbies, so each detail can be matched with the intended father’s characteristics. If a match is found, the suitable sperm can be used in the selected procedure. All donors go through rigorous evaluation and are strictly tested for genetic and transmissible diseases. The couple will only have access to donor sperm through specialized clinics and doctors in artificial insemination or IVF who are connected to the sperm bank. There is no possibility of making a private purchase from the sperm bank, as shown in some movies, for example. The same procedure applies to single women who are undergoing assisted reproduction.
Who Else Can Receive Sperm Donation?
Sperm donation can also help make parenthood possible for gay couples, whether two women or two men considered infertile. After confirming the donor’s information and traits have been chosen, the recipient will be informed that it will not be possible to meet the donor in the future. Anonymity ensures that the child will not experience family issues or be compared to the “biological father” or have information to search for him later. As for stored samples, there is no expiration date and they can remain in the sperm bank for an indefinite period, whether for donation or future personal use. Fees and costs depend on the service contracted and the sperm bank, as well as the specific procedures and sample collection methods at each clinic. The results after treatment are monitored by your trusted specialist doctor, and success may be achieved on the first attempt or may require several tries. See Also: Learn More About Sperm Donation Photo: COMSALUD
