4 Questions to Ask Sperm Donation Center

When you donate sperm, clinics and fertility centers will evaluate it to ensure that the donated sperm is safe and healthy for use in fertility treatments. One of the ways that centers ensure the quality of the donated sperm is by testing it for various factors, including sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Another aspect of testing sperm for donation involves screening for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. This is done to protect both the recipients of the donated sperm and the general public from the spread of these diseases.

In addition to infectious disease testing, sperm donors may also be subject to genetic testing to rule out any inherited conditions that their offspring may be at risk for. This type of testing can be especially important in cases where the recipient of the donated sperm has a family history of genetic disorders.

When you donate sperm, it goes through a rigorous screening process to ensure that it meets all the necessary qualifications for insemination. Your sperm must meet a high standard of health and viability to be accepted for use in fertility treatments.

Once your sperm donation has been accepted, it will typically be frozen and stored until it is needed for insemination. The samples are usually frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored in special tanks called cryostorage units.

When a fertility clinic or sperm bank receives a request for sperm, they will select a sample that meets the requirements of the intended recipient. The sperm will then be thawed and prepared for insemination.

In most cases, the intended parents choose a sperm donor who resembles them physically. Hence, the question “will the child look like you if you donate sperm?” is a common one.
However, the answer isn’t a straightforward one.

While children conceived via sperm donation may inherit some traits from the donor, they are not genetic copies. The child’s physical appearance will depend on several factors, including the mother’s genetics, the sperm donor’s genetics, and chance.

It’s important to note that not all physical traits are determined by a single gene. Multiple genes interact to determine features such as height, skin tone, and hair texture. Therefore, a child conceived via sperm donation may have some similarities to the donor, but they will not be identical.

A significant factor that can disqualify a sperm donor is a history of inherited genetic disorders in their family. If a sperm donor has a family history of genetic disorders, it could put the future child at a higher risk of being born with such conditions.

Inherited genetic disorders are medical conditions that pass down from one generation to another through genes. These disorders can significantly affect the health and quality of life of children born with them. Some of the most common examples of inherited genetic disorders include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and Huntington’s disease.

Therefore, the sperm donor’s history is thoroughly evaluated to determine their eligibility to donate based on the family’s medical history.

Other factors that can disqualify a sperm donor include sexually transmitted infections, drug or alcohol addiction, and mental illness.

At The New Hope Center for Reproductive Medicine, we strive to answer any and all questions that you may have about sperm donation so that you can feel confident in your decision moving forward. Connect with us today for more information about our services or specialists or book in online to schedule an appointment. We serve patients from Virginia Beach VA, Rudee Heights VA, Lynnhaven VA, Linkhorn Estates VA and Dam Neck VA.