Sperm Donation – Edinburgh Fertility Centre

Why is sperm donation needed?

Donor sperm may be needed because of fertility problems or the absence of sperm. Sperm donation is a generous and positive act that can give many people the chance to have a child of their own. If you decide to become a donor, you will have made the choice to help others in fulfilling their hopes of having a family.

What is involved in becoming a sperm donor?

Donating sperm is something that requires careful consideration, but if it’s right for you then you have the potential to give joy to people in Scotland who need help becoming parents. We carry out comprehensive screening of all donor applicants through a health questionnaire, reviewing your medical history and various screening tests. There are a number of steps involved to assess your suitability in becoming a sperm donor and we’ll guide you through this as your application progresses.

Step 1

If you haven’t already completed the eligibility checker, please visit www.eggsandsperm.scot. Completing this online helps us to monitor interest across Scotland and further information is provided in “Frequently Asked Questions” if you meet the basic criteria. If you are unable to access the online checker, the basic eligibility criteria to be considered as a sperm donor is as follows:

You are aged between 18 and 45 years old
You have not donated sperm elsewhere
You are a non-smoker
You are able to give a personal and family medical history (verbal) on both sides up to grandparents, and there should be no significant illnesses or inherited diseases.

If you meet the basic criteria, please go to Step 2.

Step 2

If you meet the initial criteria to apply to become a sperm donor, please read the information sheet below then complete and return the questionnaire. If we haven’t heard back from you within 2 weeks, we’ll send you a friendly reminder to return the questionnaire. If you have changed your mind and no longer wish to be considered to become a sperm donor, please let us know and we’ll make sure to remove you from our contact list.

Information for Prospective Sperm Donors Download

Donor Profile and Health Questionnaire Download

Donor-Initial-Enquiry-Questionnaire Download

This will be reviewed by a clinical member of staff within the donor team. We aim to get back to you within 2 weeks to let you know if you are able to progress to the next step of becoming a sperm donor. Occasionally we’ll ask for further details based on the information you’ve given.

Please check your spam and junk mail folder within your email so you do not miss any of our correspondence.

Step 3

Based on the information you’ve provided, if you meet the initial requirements of becoming a sperm donor, you will be referred to our Counselling service to discuss the implications of donation. If you have a partner that wishes to attend with you, we are more than happy to arrange this for you.

This appointment can be face-to-face, online (via NearMe) or by telephone. If you require an interpreter this can also be arranged.

Counselling-FAQs-Information Download

Step 4

We’ll then invite you to attend an initial consultation with one of the donor team.

Before you attend this appointment, please make sure you have read the Information for Prospective Sperm Donors, see above. If you have any questions, you might find it useful to write them down for your appointment.

Please bring photographic ID with you to this appointment (e.g.. Passport, Driving Licence)

We’ll also provide you with some additional forms needed for sperm donation. Please read and consider them carefully and bring them to your next medical appointment.

Completing you consents online

You will be sent a text message and directed to a secure website for more information and to complete your consents online. Please note this process may take up to two hours in total to consider and complete the recommended information.

Here are the consents we will ask you to complete online:

HFEA CD form (Your consent to disclosing identifying information)

HFEA MD form (Your consent to donating your sperm)

HFEA Donor information form

If you wish to vary or withdraw your consent, you can do so at any time until the point of sperm, egg or embryo transfer by completing the form below and providing it to the fertility centre where you donated.

Withdrawing your consent to use of your eggs, sperm or embryos in someone else’s treatment

Your initial consultation

Please bring photographic identification (eg. passport or driving licence)
We’ll go over information and consent forms
A nurse will take your blood for screening tests. You’ll also be asked to provide a urine sample. You will be shown to a private room to provide a semen sample. We’ll then test the quality of your sperm and carry out freezing/thawing to assess sperm survival. It’s recommended that you abstain from ejaculation for between 2 and 7 days beforehand.
We usually receive all test results within 2 weeks and we will contact you to let you know if you’re able to progress to the next step.
If you would prefer a counselling appointment before this appointment, please let us know and we can arrange this.

If you wish to vary or withdraw your consent, you can do so at any time until the point of sperm or embryo transfer by completing the form below and providing it to the fertility centre where you donated.

Withdrawing your consent to use of your eggs, sperm or embryos in someone else’s treatment

Step 5

You will have a medical appointment with one of our doctors. They will go through your medical history and carry out a physical examination. If you are suitable to become a sperm donor, one of our nurses will measure your height, weight and blood pressure and take blood for the remaining screening tests required.

The doctor will normally let you know at this appointment if you are suitable to become a sperm donor and if you are, you can provide your first sample for donation. Please advise staff of your availability for production appointments to assist the Lab staff to offer appointments. You will be expected to attend for weekly appointments for up to 12 weeks and blood screening will be repeated at 3 monthly intervals.

Overseas Travel

We ask about overseas travel to make sure there is no risk of transmitting Zika virus (or other relevant transmissible infection) to the unborn baby of donor sperm recipients. If you have travelled or plan to travel to a Zika-affected area, we will need to defer you from donation for 3 months upon returning from that area.

Information for Donors about Contact

From October 2023 onwards donor-conceived people are able to request identifying information about their donors, following the change to the law in 2005 allowing donor-conceived people, at 18, to access this information from the HFEA.

Professionals from organisations across the sector have developed five new leaflets which provide information and signposting for egg and sperm donors about the possibility of contact from any donor-conceived people born from their donations.

Further information on donation is available on the HFEA website.