Appeals for student sperm
A sperm battles to penetrate an egg
Sperm from students could help counter a massive sperm shortage across Britain. The Oxford Fertility Unit has launched an drive to recruit Oxford students as donors, asking them to provide the clinic with essential semen. Dr Tim Childs, consultant gynaecologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said, “The national shortage of sperm donors means that many couples will never achieve the family of their dreams. I would ask Oxford University men to consider making the amazing gift of donor sperm.
Currently only one donor remains for the whole of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. To compound matters his sperm can only be used to conceive just ten children. Dr Childs told The Oxford Student, “There is such a national shortage of sperm that for many couples we are forced to bring sperm in from outside the UK. We used to be able to bring sperm up from London, but the London clinics are now not selling sperm because they are so short of it themselves.
Increasingly we are having to look abroad to find donors in Scandinavia or America.” However the supply of imported sperm is not large enough to meet demand, meaning that many couples in Oxfordshire are left unable to conceive children. The number of donors fell dramatically in April 2005 when new fertility laws were introduced which removed donors’ right to anonymity.
Under the new legislation children conceived by donor sperm will be able to track down their biological father once they are 18. A decade ago the majority of donors in Britain were students. Back then students could make nearly £600 by providing about 40 samples. But under current legislation the only expenses the fertility unit is legally allowed to pay donors are loss of earnings and travel costs.
Childs said, “There is no financial side to it now, so they need to think long and hard about becoming a donor. Especially now that the law is saying that in 18 years potentially someone could try and make contact with them.” In the US the amount that patients have to pay for sperm depends on the donor’s educational level. Patients pay more for PhD quality sperm than for MPhil sperm than for the BSc variety.
Childs said that “Undoubtedly in the States there are students who fund their way through university by being egg or sperm donors.” Those who volunteer must undergo rigorous health checks, a process which results in high drop-out rates. Others are rejected because their sperm is not a high enough quality. Once collected, the sperm is frozen for six months. The donor must then return for a further health check before his sperm can be used in the fertility unit.
One donor’s sperm is only allowed to conceive ten babies. Dr Childs said, “Being a sperm donor really is giving the gift of life. If interested then please contact the Oxford Fertility Unit on 01865 221900.”
25th May 2006