It is a fact that every man is not eligible for sperm donation. Every sperm bank has maintained a standard protocol. Every sperm donor applied for sperm donation has not met these criteria. Some sperm donors are excluded after conduction of pre-donation screening program.
What are the reasons for disqualify of a man to become a sperm donor?
- Age is one of the primary factors, which is considered before sperm donation. The preferable age for a sperm donor is 18 to 28 years. Older sperm donors usually not accepted in most of the renowned sperm banks.
- Men with any type of the sexually transmitted disease are not selected for the sperm donation program. Sperm bank conduct pre-donation screening test for every potential sperm donor candidates to closely monitor their current health condition also with a thorough assessment of previous medical history. Any sperm donor candidate was diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, or any other sexually transmitted disease, then the individual is not allowed to donate his sperm.
- Gametes (sperm and eggs) of the donor carry the genetic material and transfer it to the next generation. Therefore, the genetic quality of the donor is very important for the genetic health of the created offspring. Some individuals may not have a visible genetic disease but can act as an abnormal genetic carrier. These persons are identified through genetic testing. Man with any genetic condition or medical test report generates concern for it can disqualify him to donate his sperm.
- Men without a previous history of fatherhood unable to know their semen quality. In egg donation, good quality and quantity of viable sperm with morphologically correct specimen are accepted. Semen analysis usually the first step of egg donation. In the case of the unsatisfactory result, which indicates the absence of sperm (azoospermia) or low sperm count (oligospermia) disqualify the sperm donor candidature.
- Zika viral infection or Zika virus-positive diagnostic result representation in sperm donor medical report can cancel his application for sperm donation. South American countries have a Zika virus outbreak. Individuals who lived or travel there have a higher risk of this condition.
What are the factors not accepted in sperm donation?
Following are the factors not accepted in case of prospective sperm donors:
- Homosexual history: prospective sperm donor has a history of physical relationship with men.
- History of drug abuse: prospective sperm donors have administered drugs/medicine without a medical reason.
- Sexual intimacy for personal interest: Men who physically intimated and had sex for earning money or getting drugs.
- A sexual relationship with HIV or hepatitis positive patients: Men have maintained a sexual relationship or conducted such relaxation with any individuals having positive HIV or hepatitis test report within one year before sperm donation application.
- Exposure to with HIV, hepatitis B, and/or hepatitis C virus: Man who has applied for sperm donation has a risk of blood contact through an open wound, non-intact skin, or mucous membrane of known or suspected HIV, hepatitis B, and/or hepatitis C virus-infected individuals within one year period also rejected from this program.
- Criminal history: Individual who has a criminal history or spent more than 3 days in jail also rejected from this program.
- Man who has applied for sperm donation had close contact with hepatitis virus-infected patients within one year period also disqualified from this program.
- Man who had undergone nonsterile or doubtful body piercing, acupuncture, and/or tattooing procedures within the time frame of 12 months before applied for sperm donation is ineligible for sperm donation.
- Man with a familial history of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (a type of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy), or suspected of other types of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy; or history of dura mater grafts, corneal transplants lead to alteration of cognitive functioning, gait or speech ability has also not acceptable for sperm donation candidature.
- Man who has received organ transplantation or human extract treatment.