Sperm bank

Electron microscopy image depicting sperm and egg in the process of fertilization

A sperm bank, semen bank, or cryobank is a facility or enterprise which purchases, stores and sells human semen. The semen is produced and sold by men who are known as sperm donors.[1] The sperm is purchased by or for other persons for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy or pregnancies other than by a sexual partner. Sperm sold by a sperm donor is known as donor sperm.

A sperm bank may be a separate entity supplying donor sperm to individuals or to fertility centers or clinics, or it may be a facility which is run by a clinic or other medical establishment mainly or exclusively for their patients or customers.

A pregnancy may be achieved using donor sperm for insemination with similar outcomes to sexual intercourse.[2] By using sperm from a donor rather than from the sperm recipient's partner, the process is a form of third party reproduction. In the 21st century artificial insemination with donor sperm from a sperm bank is most commonly used for individuals with no male partner, i.e. single women and coupled lesbians.[3]

A sperm donor must generally meet specific requirements regarding age and screening for medical history.[4] In the United States, sperm banks are regulated as Human Cell and Tissue or Cell and Tissue Bank Product (HCT/Ps)[5] establishments by the Food and Drug Administration.[6] Many states also have regulations in addition to those imposed by the FDA.[7] In the European Union a sperm bank must have a license according to the EU Tissue Directive. In the United Kingdom, sperm banks are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  1. ^ "Third-party Reproduction: Sperm, egg, and embryo donation and surrogacy". www.reproductivefacts.org. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  2. ^ "Sexual intercourse | Description & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  3. ^ Ombelet, W.; Van Robays, J. (2015). "Artificial insemination history: hurdles and milestones". Facts, Views & Vision in ObGyn. 7 (2): 137–143. ISSN 2032-0418. PMC 4498171. PMID 26175891.
  4. ^ Park, Nam Cheol (2018-05-01). "Sperm Bank: From Laboratory to Patient". The World Journal of Men's Health. 36 (2): 89–91. doi:10.5534/wjmh.182002. ISSN 2287-4208. PMC 5924960. PMID 29623696.
  5. ^ "HCT/Ps". aabb.org. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  6. ^ "CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21". www.accessdata.fda.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  7. ^ Commissioner, Office of the (2023-07-13). "U.S. Food and Drug Administration". FDA. Retrieved 2023-07-13.