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The donor screening process at London Sperm Bank
At London Sperm Bank, the health and well-being of our donors and recipients are our utmost priority. We are proud to adhere strictly to the guidelines set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the UK’s medical and laboratory standards for the procurement and use of sperm, oocyte, and embryo donors. These guidelines are in place to ensure the most rigorous screening processes, guaranteeing that all our sperm donors meet the highest standards before their contributions are considered for use.
Here’s what you need to know about how sperm donors are tested, including sperm health, genetic testing, and more at London Sperm Bank.
How is sperm health and quality assessed?
Before sperm can be considered for donation, a detailed semen analysis is performed. This helps determine whether the donor’s sperm is healthy, viable, and suitable for fertility treatment. Sperm health is assessed based on several key parameters:
- Sperm count: The number of sperm present in a given sample.
- Motility: How well the sperm can move, which is essential for fertilisation.
- Morphology: The shape and structure of sperm, as abnormalities can affect function.
- Volume: The amount of semen produced in one ejaculation.
- pH level: The acidity or alkalinity of the semen.
- White blood cell count: High levels may indicate infection or inflammation.
These factors are critical in determining whether a donor’s sperm meets the stringent quality standards required for use in assisted reproduction.
What information is collected in the donor’s medical history?
The first step in our donor screening process involves an in-depth assessment of the donor’s medical history. Donors provide detailed information about their own health as well as their family’s health history, which includes any genetic disorders or diseases. This step helps identify potential hereditary conditions, ensuring that any risks to offspring are minimised from the outset.
Donors are asked to provide detailed background information covering:
- Mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression
- Neurological issues like stroke or epilepsy
- Sensory conditions, e.g., deafness, blindness, eyesight conditions
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Their personal and family history of cancer
- Allergies, including asthma, eczema, hay fever
What infectious disease testing is carried out on sperm donors?
To ensure the safety and well-being of both donors and potential recipients, every donor undergoes extensive testing for infectious diseases. This includes:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B and C
- Syphilis
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
- Hepatitis A
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) (1)
These tests are not just a one-off – they are conducted at multiple intervals to continuously monitor the donor’s health status. This ongoing testing ensures that no infections are present at any point during sperm collection, providing an additional layer of reassurance for recipients.
Can sperm be tested for genetic disorders?
Genetic testing is a crucial part of the donor screening process. At London Sperm Bank, genetic testing for sperm donors is performed to identify inherited conditions that could be passed to a child. This testing helps provide peace of mind to individuals or couples using donor sperm.
Genetic conditions that are commonly screened for include:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
- Alpha-thalassaemia
- Beta-thalassaemia
- Sickle cell disease
- Tay-Sachs disease
The types of conditions screened may also vary based on the donor’s ethnic background. For example:
- Thalassaemia is more common in people from the Mediterranean, Middle East, or Indian subcontinent.
- Sickle cell disease is more common among those of African or Afro-Caribbean descent.
- Tay-Sachs disease has a higher prevalence in people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
- Cystic fibrosis is more prevalent among people of Northern European ancestry (1).
These tailored tests ensure a relevant and thorough approach to minimising risk for any donor-conceived children.
What is chromosome karyotyping, and why is it done?
Chromosome karyotyping is an additional genetic test sometimes carried out on sperm donors. It involves analysing a person’s chromosomes to identify any structural abnormalities or an abnormal number of chromosomes.
This test helps detect conditions such as:
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Turner syndrome
- Chromosomal translocations
- Inversions
- Deletions
- Duplications (2)
Karyotyping offers another level of reassurance that the donor’s sperm does not carry chromosomal irregularities that could impact the health of future offspring. While not always mandatory, it may be recommended in certain cases based on family history or ethnic background.
Genetic testing for sperm donors FAQs
What is carrier screening?
Carrier screening checks whether a donor carries genes for certain inherited conditions. Genetic carrier donors may not show symptoms but can still pass on these genes. If both the donor and the recipient are carriers of the same condition, there’s an increased risk that the child could inherit the disorder.
Why are some tests repeated during the donor process?
Infectious disease tests are repeated at different stages to confirm that the donor remains healthy throughout their participation. This continuous testing helps ensure the ongoing safety of sperm samples for recipients.
What are the limitations of genetic testing for sperm donors?
While extensive, genetic testing is not exhaustive. It can only screen for known conditions with identifiable markers. Some rare or currently undetectable conditions may still be passed on. Additionally, new genetic conditions may be discovered in the future that current tests don’t detect today.
Can you donate sperm if you have a genetic condition?
It depends on the condition. Some mild, non-heritable or well-managed conditions may not exclude someone from donating. However, if the genetic disorder poses a high risk of being passed to offspring, a sperm donor applicant may be declined to protect the health of potential children.
What happens if a donor develops a medical condition after they have donated?
If a donor is diagnosed with a significant medical condition after donation, they are required to inform the sperm bank so that they can update their records and take the appropriate next steps Depending on the condition and whether it has a genetic cause, sperm samples may be withdrawn from use, or additional counselling and information may be provided to recipients or offspring if the sperm has already been used.
Why choose London Sperm Bank?
Our commitment to the highest standards sets us apart. As the leading provider of donor sperm to over 80% of HFEA-licensed clinics in the UK, London Sperm Bank ensures that every sample meets strict quality and safety criteria. We operate from our state-of-the-art clinic at London Bridge, offering easy access and a convenient location for donors and recipients alike.
Our patients’ paths to parenthood are important to us, and we’re dedicated to supporting them every step of the way. If you’d like more information about our screening process or want to explore sperm donation with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
References
Finding out about your donor’s personal and family medical history | HFEA (June 2025)
Karyotype — Knowledge Hub (February 2025)