Are you considering becoming a sperm donor but feel unsure about the terms and processes involved? Our Glossary of Sperm Donation Terms is here to make everything clear and easy to understand.
From important concepts like donor eligibility and compensation to more detailed terms like semen analysis and cryopreservation, this guide breaks it all down in a way that’s simple and straightforward. It’s designed to help you feel confident about the process and give you the answers you need.
Whether you’re just starting to explore sperm donation or want to understand more before applying, this glossary is a great resource. We’ve made it easy to navigate so you can quickly find the information that matters most to you. Becoming a sperm donor is an important decision, and understanding these terms is the first step to making it with confidence.
To refrain from any form of ejaculation, typically required before donation to ensure optimal sperm count and quality. Most clinics recommend abstaining for 2-5 days before providing a sample.
A condition where a man’s semen contains no measurable sperm, which can affect eligibility for sperm donation.
The method by which sperm donors are financially rewarded for their time and efforts. Compensation is typically provided per donation, with potential bonuses for consistent participation.
A process used to freeze and store sperm at extremely low temperatures. This allows the sperm to be used at a later date without compromising its quality.
A donor known to the recipient prior to donation. Unlike anonymous or open donors, directed donors are chosen for their specific relationship to the recipient.
The criteria that must be met for an individual to qualify as a sperm donor. This typically includes age (often 18-38), health screenings, genetic testing, and lifestyle assessments.
A summary of a donor’s background, including physical characteristics, educational history, hobbies, and sometimes personal essays. It is used by recipients to help select a donor.
Screening done on potential sperm donors to ensure that they do not carry genetic conditions that could be passed on to offspring. This is a key part of the donor qualification process.
Supplements or medications that some sperm banks may recommend to donors to improve sperm motility and overall semen quality. These are usually optional but may increase the likelihood of acceptance into the program.
A donor who agrees to be identified to any offspring conceived from their sperm once the child reaches a certain age, usually 18. This option allows for potential future contact between donor and offspring.
The time frame in which sperm samples are stored before they are cleared for use. This period, typically 6 months, allows for additional testing to ensure the donor remains free of communicable diseases.
A test performed on a semen sample to assess sperm count, motility, and overall health. This analysis determines the suitability of a donor’s sperm for use in fertility treatments.
A facility where donor sperm is collected, tested, frozen, and stored for future use. Sperm banks also manage the donor-recipient matching process.
The ability of sperm to move efficiently, which is crucial for fertilization. Sperm motility is a significant factor evaluated during the donation process to determine the quality of a sample.
The specimen provided by a donor, which contains sperm cells and seminal fluid. The sample undergoes testing and processing before it can be frozen and used in insemination procedures.
Small containers or vials used to store processed sperm samples. These are typically used for insemination and are specially designed to maintain the viability of sperm during storage and transport.
Sperm that has been processed to remove seminal fluid, resulting in a higher concentration of motile sperm. Washed sperm is often used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures to increase the chances of successful fertilization.
A small sample of a donor’s sperm is frozen and thawed as a test to evaluate the viability of the sperm post-thaw. This ensures that the donor’s sperm will remain effective after being cryopreserved.
Sperm that has not undergone any processing to separate it from the seminal fluid. It is typically used for home insemination or certain types of clinical procedures where washing is not necessary.
A comprehensive set of screenings to detect viruses that could be transmitted through semen, including tests for hepatitis, CMV (Cytomegalovirus), and Zika virus. This testing is required to meet FDA guidelines.
The time during which a donor may choose to withdraw from the sperm donation program and request that any stored samples be discarded. This is an important right provided to donors, allowing them to change their decision.
A test performed to determine if donor sperm will produce identical or fraternal offspring in cases of multiple births. This is particularly relevant for recipients undergoing fertility treatments that could result in twins or triplets.