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<h1>What is a sperm donor?</h1>
A&nbsp;<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/find-donor/search-sperm-donors/">sperm donor</a> is a man who voluntarily donates his sperm to help singles and couples unable to achieve pregnancy through fertility treatment. The act of donating your sperm often feels incredibly rewarding and is referred to as sperm donation.
The man donating his sperm is referred to as a sperm donor, and the donated sperm is called donor sperm.
<h3>How does sperm donation work?</h3>
Sperm donation is a generous act that involves several crucial steps, especially when done through a <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/">licensed sperm bank</a>.
The process can vary depending on whether the sperm comes from a sperm bank, a known donor, or a private sperm donor. Here is an overview of how it typically works when donating at a licensed sperm bank:
<ul>
<li>Donor application: Potential donors apply to a sperm bank, ensuring they meet age and health criteria.</li>
<li>Sperm quality test: Donors provide a semen sample at the sperm bank to check for adequate <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/low-sperm-count/">sperm count</a>, motility, and morphology.</li>
<li>Comprehensive screening process: A successful semen test is followed by medical, genetic, and psychological evaluations to confirm the donor's health. Tests are also performed to confirm the absence of genetic and infectious diseases.</li>
<li>Storage and quarantine: Donated sperm are stored in liquid nitrogen. After 10 donations, further testing ensures no transmittable diseases are present.</li>
<li>Fertility treatment: Once cleared, sperm batches are available for purchase and use in fertility treatments such as <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/iui-with-donor-sperm/">IUI</a>, <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/ivf-with-donor-sperm/">IVF</a>, or <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/what-is-icsi-treatment-learn-how-it-works-step-by-step/">ICSI</a>.</li>
</ul>
Follow the link to read our <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/sperm-donation/">guide on sperm donation</a>.

Blue box

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Let us help you on your journey to parenthood</h2>
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At Cryos, we give you full access to all donor profiles including pictures, voice recordings, handwritten letters, and more. Just create an online account by providing only your name, email, and country. A Cryos account is free and non-binding.
<a class="button button--blue" href="/en-gb/create-account/create-account-new/">2. Start here&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

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<h2>Who becomes sperm donors?</h2>
Everyone can become a sperm donor at Cryos. As long as our donors meet the requirements, they can help people fulfil their dream of becoming a parent. At Cryos, we have a lot of donors available and their motivation, personality, and physical appearance vary a lot. Regardless of the underlying reason, sperm donation is a selfless deed that greatly benefits many people by bringing the dream of a child to life.
Follow the link to read more about <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/what-is-sperm-donor-genetic-screening/">genetic screening for sperm donors</a> or&nbsp;<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/sperm-donation/sperm-donor-requirements/">the requirements donors must fulfil</a>.
<h2>Who needs donor sperm?</h2>
The demand for <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/about-donor-sperm/">donor sperm for fertility treatment</a> is generally high, and due to new family structures, there has been significant development in this area in recent years. The most common groups that are in need of sperm donations are:
<ul>
<li><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/why-use-a-sperm-donor/single-mother-by-choice/"> Single Mothers by Choice</a></li>
<li><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/why-use-a-sperm-donor/lesbian-parents/">Lesbian parents</a></li>
<li><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/why-use-a-sperm-donor/infertility/">Heterosexual couples struggling with infertility</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Is sperm donation right for me?</h2>
During the past years, fertility treatment with donor sperm has become increasingly popular. If sperm donation is the right choice for you, be sure to purchase the sperm from a licensed sperm bank with a proper screening process for the donors.
Learn more about <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/about-sperm/screening-of-sperm-donors/">how we screen sperm donors</a>.

Question links

<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/how-to-get-a-sperm-donor/">How to get a sperm donor?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/what-is-a-sperm-bank/">What is a sperm bank?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/what-is-a-sperm-donor/">What is a sperm donor?</a>
<a title="Can I pay more to see more information about the donors?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/can-i-pay-more-to-see-more-information-about-the-donors/" target="_top">Can I pay more to see more information about the sperm donors?</a>
<a title="Why are the donors not tested for the same diseases?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/why-are-the-donors-not-tested-for-the-same-diseases/" target="_top">Why are the sperm donors not tested for the same diseases?</a>
<a title="Is blood type important for my choice of donor?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/is-blood-type-important-for-my-choice-of-donor/" target="_top">Is blood type important for my choice of sperm donor?</a>
<a title="Can I use a friend as a donor?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/can-i-use-a-friend-as-a-donor/" target="_top">Using a friend as a sperm donor</a>
<a title="What are alias donors?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/what-are-alias-donors/" target="_top">What are alias sperm donors?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/where-do-i-find-the-nearest-cryos-sperm-bank/">Where do I find the nearest Cryos Sperm Bank?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/can-red-haired-men-become-sperm-donors/">Can red-haired men become sperm donors?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/can-you-choose-a-sperm-donor/">Can you choose a sperm donor?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/the-donors/is-there-an-app-for-meeting-a-sperm-donor/">Is there an app for meeting a sperm donor?</a>

The sperm donors

<a title="What is a Standard?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-sperm/what-is-a-standard/" target="_top">What is a Standard?</a>
<a title="What is CMV status?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-sperm/what-is-cmv-status/" target="_top">What is CMV status?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-sperm/what-is-capacitation-of-sperm/">What is the capacitation of sperm?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-sperm/sperm-donation-risks-and-benefits/">What are the risks of using donor sperm?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-sperm/directed-sperm-donors/">What is a directed sperm donor?</a>

Donor sperm

<a title="What is a pregnancy quota?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/quota-reservation/what-is-a-pregnancy-quota/" target="_top">What is a pregnancy quota?</a>
<a title="How do I know if I need a Quota Reservation?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/quota-reservation/how-do-i-know-if-i-need-a-quota-reservation/" target="_top">How do I know if I need a Quota Reservation?</a>
<a title="Should I purchase a quota for siblings?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/quota-reservation/should-i-purchase-a-quota-for-siblings/">Should I purchase a quota for siblings?</a>
<a title="Will the Quota Reservation be refunded if I do not get pregnant?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/quota-reservation/will-the-quota-reservation-be-refunded-if-i-do-not-get-pregnant/">Will the Quota Reservation be refunded if I do not get pregnant?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/quota-reservation/how-do-i-know-if-there-are-available-quotas-for-a-donor/">How do I know if there are available quotas for a donor?</a>
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Quota reservation

Questions links

<a title="Which shipping method do I need to choose?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/ordering-and-shipping/which-shipping-method-do-i-need-to-choose/">Which shipping method do I need to choose when buying donor sperm?</a>
<a title="When do I need to place the order?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/ordering-and-shipping/when-do-i-need-to-place-the-order/">When do I need to place the order?</a>
<a title="What is the difference between placing an order and making a reservation?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/ordering-and-shipping/what-is-the-difference-between-placing-an-order-and-making-a-reservation/">What is the difference between placing an order and making a reservation?</a>
<a title="Do you deliver to private clients?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/ordering-and-shipping/do-you-deliver-to-private-clients/">Do you deliver donor sperm to private clients?</a>
Can you buy donor sperm for home insemination in the UK?

Ordering and shipping of donor sperm

<a title="When and how should I report my pregnancy?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/pregnancy/when-and-how-should-i-report-my-pregnancy/">When and how should I report my pregnancy?</a>
<a title="Why should I report my pregnancy?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/pregnancy/why-should-i-report-my-pregnancy/">Why should I report my pregnancy?</a>
<a title="What is the expected pregnancy rate for using donor sperm?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/pregnancy/sperm-donor-success-rates/">What is the expected pregnancy rate for using donor sperm?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/pregnancy/what-is-lh-surge/">What is lh surge?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/pregnancy/how-long-does-sperm-last/">How long does sperm live after ejaculation?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/pregnancy/can-you-merge-two-eggs-to-make-a-baby/">Can you combine two eggs to make a baby?</a>

Pregnancy

<a title="What does it mean that a donor has a condition?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/what-does-it-mean-that-a-donor-has-a-condition/">What does it mean that a sperm donor has a condition?</a>
<a title="Can I use a donor with a registered condition?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/can-i-use-a-donor-with-a-registered-condition/">Can I use a sperm donor with a registered condition?</a>
<a title="How do I report a suspected condition in a donor?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/how-do-i-report-a-suspected-condition-in-a-donor/">How do I report a suspected condition in a sperm donor?</a>
<a title="How do I report a condition in a child?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/how-do-i-report-a-condition-in-a-child/">How do I report a condition in a donor-conceived child?</a>
<a title="What does it mean that a donor is in quarantine or permanently blocked?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/what-does-it-mean-that-a-donor-is-in-quarantine-or-permanently-blocked/">What does it mean that a donor is in quarantine or permanently blocked?</a>
<a title="Can I use donor sperm from a donor in quarantine?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/can-i-use-donor-sperm-from-a-donor-in-quarantine/">Can I use donor sperm from a sperm donor in quarantine?</a>
<a title="Can I use donor sperm from a donor who is permanently blocked?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/can-i-use-donor-sperm-from-a-donor-who-is-permanently-blocked/">Can I use donor sperm from a sperm donor who is permanently blocked?</a>
<a title="I have received a notification regarding a donor &ndash; what do I do?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/conditions/i-have-received-a-notification-regarding-a-donor--what-do-i-do/">I have received a notification regarding a sperm donor &ndash; what do I do?</a>

Conditions

<a title="How many families can use the same donor?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-children/how-many-families-can-use-the-same-donor/">How many families can use the same sperm donor?</a>
<a title="Should I be worried about inbreeding?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-children/should-i-be-worried-about-inbreeding/">Should I be worried about inbreeding using donor sperm?</a>
<a title="Can my child get in touch with the donor in the future?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-children/can-my-child-get-in-touch-with-the-donor-in-the-future/">Can my child get in touch with the sperm donor in the future?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/how-many-kids-can-a-sperm-donor-have/">How many kids can a sperm donor get?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/donor-children/what-is-a-rainbow-child/">What is a rainbow child?</a>

Donor-conceived children

<a title="What does the law say about donor sperm?" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/regulations/what-does-the-law-say-about-donor-sperm/">What does the law say about donor sperm?</a>

Regulations

What is IUI treatment?
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/what-is-ici-treatment/">What is ICI treatment?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/can-you-freeze-sperm-at-home/">Can you freeze sperm at home?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/does-low-testosterone-affect-your-fertility-and-sperm-count/">Does low testosterone cause infertility?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/normal-sperm-count-to-get-pregnant/">What is the normal sperm count required to get pregnant?</a>
What is the minimum sperm count for IUI treatment?
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/minimum-sperm-count-for-ivf/">What is the minimum sperm count for IVF treatment?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/minimum-sperm-count-for-icsi/">What is the minimum sperm count for ICSI treatment?</a>
What is sperm banking?
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/fertility-treatment/what-is-the-turkey-baster-method/">What is The Turkey Baster Method?</a>
Can I do IUI at home?

Fertility treatment

<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/why-is-genetic-matching-relevant-for-people-without-genetic-disorders/">Why is Genetic Matching relevant for people without genetic disorders?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/how-much-does-genetic-matching-reduce-the-risk-of-passing-on-recessive-disease/">How much does Genetic Matching reduce the risk of passing on recessive disease?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/how-long-do-i-have-to-wait-for-my-test-result/">How long do I have to wait for my test result?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/what-does-genetic-matching-cost/">What does Genetic Matching cost?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/will-genetic-matching-delay-my-fertility-treatment/">Will Genetic Matching delay my fertility treatment?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/what-genetic-disorders-does-genetic-matching-test-for/">What genetic disorders does Genetic Matching test for?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/how-to-take-the-genetic-matching-test/">How to take the Genetic Matching test?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/what-is-genetic-matching/">What is Genetic Matching?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/do-i-receive-a-genetic-profile-of-myself/">Do I receive a genetic profile of myself?</a>
<a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/faq/genetic-matching/sperm-donor-genetic-screening/">What is sperm donor genetic screening?</a>