News | More Than 90% of Men Are Rejected: Inside the Strict Screening Standards for Sperm Donation
Fewer than 4% of men who apply to become sperm donors ultimately complete the donation process and have sperm successfully frozen for treatment. Led by the University of Sheffield in partnership with Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm bank, the study analyzed screening data from more than 11,700 sperm donor applicants. The findings were published in Human Reproduction.
More than half of applicants (54.91%) withdrew before completing the donation process. About 17.41% were rejected because of health issues, carrier status for genetic disorders, or incurable infectious diseases; 11.71% did not pass the lifestyle screening questionnaire; and 11.20% were rejected because their sperm quality did not meet requirements.
Sperm Donation Is Far From Simple, With Extremely Strict Screening Standards
Lead author Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield, said, “This is the largest study of sperm donors outside China to date. The United Kingdom relies heavily on sperm imported from the United States and Denmark, so understanding donor screening standards in these countries helps ensure safety and improve UK procedures.”
According to the latest data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, more than half of newly registered sperm donors in the United Kingdom are from overseas, mainly through Cryos sperm banks in the United States and Denmark. Since 2006, UK law has required all sperm donors to agree that their identity may be disclosed in the future to children conceived through their donation, creating additional challenges for domestic sperm supply.
Anonymous vs. Identity-Release Donation: Preferences Change During Screening
At the start of the application process, about 41.27% of donors were willing to disclose their identity, and Danish applicants were more likely than US applicants to waive anonymity. As screening and donation progressed, usually over several months, some donors who initially chose anonymity ultimately agreed to identity disclosure to future children.
Professor Pacey said, “Sperm donation differs from blood donation. Donors must remain involved over time through repeated semen collection, strict health screening, and ongoing testing. If their sperm results in a pregnancy, the donation may also affect their lives in the future. Many donors who initially wanted anonymity changed their views after completing the full process. This is good news for UK patients because UK law requires all sperm donors to be identifiable.”
Improving Donation Success and Reducing Fertility Treatment Costs
Dr. Anne-Bine Skytte, medical director of Cryos International, said the study provides important guidance for improving sperm bank donor recruitment. “If we can improve donor success rates, it will help reduce treatment costs for patients. Many UK patients currently pay for sperm themselves, and limited supply keeps prices high.”
In the United Kingdom, eligible sperm donors must be 18 to 45 years old, healthy, and have good sperm quality. They undergo health screening for genetic disorders and infectious diseases, along with a family medical history assessment. UK sperm donor recruitment standards are set by the British Fertility Society, and all donation procedures are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
The study identifies the reasons for the high rejection rate in sperm donation and highlights the importance of improving donor recruitment. Increasing the number of qualified donors while maintaining safety will remain a key issue in assisted reproduction worldwide.
News | More Than 90% of Men Are Rejected: Inside the Strict Screening Standards for Sperm Donation
News | More Than 90% of Men Are Rejected: Inside the Strict Screening Standards for Sperm Donation
Fewer than 4% of men who apply to become sperm donors ultimately complete the donation process and have sperm successfully frozen for treatment. Led by the University of Sheffield in partnership with Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm bank, the study analyzed screening data from more than 11,700 sperm donor applicants. The findings were published in Human Reproduction.
More than half of applicants (54.91%) withdrew before completing the donation process. About 17.41% were rejected because of health issues, carrier status for genetic disorders, or incurable infectious diseases; 11.71% did not pass the lifestyle screening questionnaire; and 11.20% were rejected because their sperm quality did not meet requirements.
Sperm Donation Is Far From Simple, With Extremely Strict Screening Standards
Lead author Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield, said, “This is the largest study of sperm donors outside China to date. The United Kingdom relies heavily on sperm imported from the United States and Denmark, so understanding donor screening standards in these countries helps ensure safety and improve UK procedures.”
According to the latest data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, more than half of newly registered sperm donors in the United Kingdom are from overseas, mainly through Cryos sperm banks in the United States and Denmark. Since 2006, UK law has required all sperm donors to agree that their identity may be disclosed in the future to children conceived through their donation, creating additional challenges for domestic sperm supply.
Anonymous vs. Identity-Release Donation: Preferences Change During Screening
At the start of the application process, about 41.27% of donors were willing to disclose their identity, and Danish applicants were more likely than US applicants to waive anonymity. As screening and donation progressed, usually over several months, some donors who initially chose anonymity ultimately agreed to identity disclosure to future children.
Professor Pacey said, “Sperm donation differs from blood donation. Donors must remain involved over time through repeated semen collection, strict health screening, and ongoing testing. If their sperm results in a pregnancy, the donation may also affect their lives in the future. Many donors who initially wanted anonymity changed their views after completing the full process. This is good news for UK patients because UK law requires all sperm donors to be identifiable.”
Improving Donation Success and Reducing Fertility Treatment Costs
Dr. Anne-Bine Skytte, medical director of Cryos International, said the study provides important guidance for improving sperm bank donor recruitment. “If we can improve donor success rates, it will help reduce treatment costs for patients. Many UK patients currently pay for sperm themselves, and limited supply keeps prices high.”
In the United Kingdom, eligible sperm donors must be 18 to 45 years old, healthy, and have good sperm quality. They undergo health screening for genetic disorders and infectious diseases, along with a family medical history assessment. UK sperm donor recruitment standards are set by the British Fertility Society, and all donation procedures are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
The study identifies the reasons for the high rejection rate in sperm donation and highlights the importance of improving donor recruitment. Increasing the number of qualified donors while maintaining safety will remain a key issue in assisted reproduction worldwide.
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