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Exploring diversity among egg and sperm donors

Patients

The number of children born with the help of donor egg or sperm has risen considerably since the 1990s, with over 4,100 children born in 2019 compared to around 2,500 in 1993. Egg, sperm and embryo donation now account for 1 in 170 of all births and for 1 in 6 births using IVF in the UK.

Despite 70,000 donor-conceived children being born since 1991 and countless people becoming parents thanks to donated gametes, there are still challenges with donor fertility treatment.

One of the most pressing issues is the lack of diversity among egg and sperm donors. Research from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) reveals that Asian egg and black sperm donors are under-represented by 50% compared with the population of the UK.

For those relying on donor eggs or sperm to realise their dreams of parenthood, there are significant personal, practical and financial implications to this lack of diversity. In this article, we explore why diversity among egg and sperm donors is so important, the possible reasons behind the lack of diversity and the impact that it can have.

Why is there a need for egg and sperm donors?

The use of donor eggs and sperm in fertility treatment has increased over the last 30 years, and there are several reasons why the need for egg and sperm donors has grown:

Infertility

According to the World Health Organization, infertility affects 1 in 6 people of reproductive age worldwide and impacts people of all backgrounds. While assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help overcome some fertility challenges, some individuals and couples require donor eggs or sperm to successfully conceive.

Single individuals

From 2012 to 2022, the number of single people having IVF or donor insemination treatment increased from 1400 to 4800. These individuals, who are predominantly women, require donor sperm to fertilise their eggs within these treatments.

Same-sex couples

More female same-sex couples are using IVF and donor insemination, with numbers having risen from 1300 to 3300 between 2012 and 2022. As with single individuals, fertility treatment options for lesbian couples require donor sperm to fertilise the chosen partner’s eggs.

Individuals with genetic diseases

There are some genetic conditions, such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome, that cause infertility, meaning that individuals with these conditions will require the use of donor eggs or sperm to conceive.

Other conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease, are hereditary. While individuals with these conditions may be able to conceive naturally, some make the conscious decision to use donor eggs or sperm to avoid passing the condition to any offspring.

Older first-time mothers

Women are having children later compared to previous generations. However, egg quality declines with age, and this causes natural conception to become less likely and fertility treatment with an individual’s own eggs to be less successful, with just a 5% chance of a live birth following an embryo transfer for women aged 43 and above. Donor eggs from younger women increase success rates for older women trying to conceive.

Why is diversity among egg and sperm donors important?

82% of intended parents state that matching the donor’s ethnicity is important to them. There are a multitude of reasons why donor diversity is important and why someone may want their donor’s ethnicity to match their own, including:

Equity and access

A broader and more diverse donor pool helps ensure that all intended parents can access the same breadth and quality of options when choosing a donor. When diversity is limited, it creates an uneven playing field at a time that is already emotionally and financially challenging. Improving representation is, therefore, not only about meeting demand but also about promoting fairness and inclusivity within fertility care.

Cultural identity and connection

Many people look for a donor who aligns with their cultural and religious views and shares a similar lived experience. However, such a donor can be hard to find when the pool to choose from lacks diversity.

Further, using a donor from a similar background can help any children who are born develop a positive ethnic or cultural identity.

Physical resemblance

Many intended parents hope that their child will share some physical traits with them or with the non-genetic parent. For some, this resemblance feels like a natural way to create a sense of continuity within the family, helping the child feel connected to their parents and community.

Why is there a lack of diversity among sperm and egg donors?

The reasons why someone chooses to donate, or not donate, are deeply personal, so it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons behind a lack of donor diversity in the UK. However, there are some possible explanations:

Awareness

For some, it is simply that they are not aware of the need for donors or how to go about starting the process. In one study, for example, respondents said, “I believe it is something I would consider if I was presented with information that would convince me that it was a good idea” and  “I want to but don’t know how”.

Religion

For some individuals, donating eggs or sperm conflicts with their personal religious beliefs. Across different faiths, views on assisted reproduction vary widely, and in certain communities, procedures such as donor insemination or the use of donor eggs are discouraged or even prohibited. These beliefs can significantly influence a person’s willingness or ability to donate.

Moral and ethical beliefs

Decisions around egg and sperm donation can be shaped by personal moral or ethical values. Individuals may feel uncertain about the idea of creating biological connections outside of a traditional family structure, or they may have concerns about the long-term implications for any children born from their donation.

Others question whether donating gametes aligns with their beliefs about reproduction, parenthood or genetic responsibility. These ethical considerations can be deeply felt and can influence whether someone chooses to become a donor.

Social stigma

Donation is not always openly discussed, and this lack of conversation can create feelings of embarrassment or discomfort. Some people may worry about how others will perceive their decision to donate, or they may associate donation with negative stereotypes. Misunderstandings about ‘being paid’ for donating eggs or sperm can also contribute to stigma, even though UK donors are not financially compensated beyond basic expenses. Together, these factors may make potential donors hesitant to come forward.

Control

Another concern raised by potential donors relates to the sense of having little control over what happens once their eggs or sperm are donated. Some feel uneasy about not knowing who might receive their donation, how many families it could help, or what the long-term outcomes might be. For these individuals, the inability to influence these decisions can be a significant barrier to donating.

What does a lack of diversity mean for those seeking a donor?

A lack of diversity in egg and sperm donor pools means that individuals and couples, particularly people of colour and ethnic minorities, face significant challenges that hinder their treatment journeys.

Limited choices

For intended parents, especially people of colour, the pool of appropriate donor matches can be very small, perhaps only finding one or two donors within an entire catalogue that meet all their preferences. This could lead to people feeling like they have to select a donor who doesn’t fit all their criteria.

Delays in treatment

When donor diversity is limited, it can take significantly longer for patients, especially those from minority ethnic backgrounds, to find a suitable match. Clinics may have only a small number of donors who reflect certain ethnicities or cultural backgrounds, leading to extended waiting times and added stress during an already difficult period.

Reliance on imported eggs or sperm

When there is a limited choice of donor sperm or eggs in an individual’s country, they may feel that they have no choice but to look to other parts of the world to find the right match.

Data from the HFEA reveals that most Mixed (74%), Other (61%) and Black (60%) ethnicity sperm used in fertility treatments from 2017-21 were from imports. In contrast, White and Asian sperm were most commonly from the UK, with 50% and 38% of sperm donations used, respectively, from imports.

Importing donor sperm or eggs from other countries usually comes with additional expense due to shipping, and increases the practical and emotional burden at a time that is often already demanding.

The benefits of working with London Sperm Bank      

London Sperm Bank understands the importance of diversity and the emotional and logistical considerations involved in using donor sperm. As the UK’s leading and largest sperm bank, we have been helping people of all backgrounds become parents since 2010 and supply donor sperm to over 80% of HFEA-licensed clinics.

Our donor catalogue includes donors of many different ethnicities and cultures, including:

  • Black African
  • Black Caribbean
  • Central/Latin/South American
  • East Asian
  • Eastern European
  • Middle Eastern
  • Mixed
  • South Asian
  • Western European
  • White British
  • White Irish

We also work in partnership with London Egg Bank, the first and largest egg bank in the UK, with over 30 years of experience in IVF with donor eggs. Like London Sperm Bank, they have a diverse catalogue of donors and even have an AI-powered facial matching tool to help you find a donor who looks like you.

You can search for donors by ethnicity and religion, so that you can easily see which donors align with your preferences. If you have any questions or need any guidance on choosing a donor, you can always contact our team.

Browse our extensive and diverse selection of sperm donors and let us help you find a donor.

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