Known sperm donation, also called private sperm donation, is when the donor and recipient know each other at the time of donation. The arrangement is made directly between them, but Cryos can assist with donor screening, medical testing, and sperm freezing.
Cryos cooperates with selected Danish clinics regarding this.
Considering a Known Sperm Donor?
If you are thinking about using someone you already know as your sperm donor, Cryos can help guide you through the process. Get in touch with our Customer Care Team to find out how we can support you.
What is a Known Donor?
A Known Donor is someone you know or have found independently - for example, a friend, relative, someone you have met through a private matching service, or a person you have agreed to co-parent with outside of a romantic relationship. In other words, it means using a private sperm donor you have arranged directly, rather than choosing a donor through our Sperm Donor Search.
Some people prefer this more personal approach, as it allows for direct contact between the donor and recipient before the donation takes place, and it may also allow for the donor to have a role in the child’s life, depending on your agreement.
If you are ready to become a parent with help from a Known Donor, you must start by finding a clinic where fertility treatment can take place. If you want our assistance, Cryos can help you find a clinic in Denmark.
How is a known donation managed?
Upon a known donation, the ownership of the sperm is transferred from the Known Donor to the recipient (woman or couple), and the sperm sample will never be included in our standard donor programme. At Cryos we analyze, wash and freeze the sperm so it is ready to be used for fertility treatment at the clinic. Additionally, we test the Known Donor for infectious diseases in accordance with the current legislation (the Danish Health Authority’s Guide nr. 9356 pkt. 8.1 of 26.05.2015).
Once the analysis and washing are done, the sperm is frozen and stored at Cryos until you need it for your treatment (for up to 6 months). When it is time for the treatment you can request the shipping online – we will then make sure to send the sperm sample directly to the clinic where the treatment is going to take place. We will send the requested samples in a nitrogen tank, that keeps your sperm samples frozen and safe during the transportation. If you would like us to ship all your sperm samples at the same time, we recommend that the shipping is divided into two separate shipments on two different dates as a precautionary measure. If you do not want us to divide the shipment in two, you must send a written confirmation per email before shipment can take place.
Before a known donation can take place, the Known Donor must be screened for suitability and for infectious diseases. The fertility clinic is responsible for assessing the Known Donor’s suitability. It is also the fertility clinic that ultimately approves the Known Donor and makes sure that the question of paternity/maternity will be discussed. Cryos will be responsible for the screening of infectious diseases. If you would like to have the Known Donor tested for genetic diseases, an additional test can be purchased for a fee.
Before starting the Known Donor process, you should also consider testing the sperm quality of your Known Donor, as the quality can be of great importance when deciding the type of treatment and the chance of pregnancy.
Sperm sample and test for infectious diseases
The sperm sample is made at Cryos. We recommend that the Known Donor has been sexually abstinent for two days prior to the test, thereby securing the best possible sperm quality.
The donor can donate up to 3 times within 7 days, and up to 3 sperm samples can be analyzed, washed and frozen. It is up to you whether you want to freeze 1, 2 or 3 sperm samples, as long as the Known Donor is tested for the required infectious diseases within 7 days after the first donation has been made (in accordance with the Danish Tissue Act (Vævsloven)).
Upon the last donation, the donor is again tested for infectious diseases using a urine sample and a blood sample. If the Known Donor has previously been infected with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or other diseases, or if he is at risk of contracting one of them, it is a good idea to have the Known Donor tested for this in advance. In that way, you can avoid having one or more frozen donations stored, which cannot be used.
Once the last sperm donation is done and the Known Donor has been tested for infectious diseases, it may take 7-10 business days before we have the results of the tests. If the test results are negative, we can send the donation(s) to the clinic.
We test for the following diseases:
The urine sample is tested for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
The blood sample is tested for:
- HIV (anti-HIV ½, NAT (HIV))
- HTLV (anti-HTLV 1/2)
- Hepatitis B (anti-HBc, HBsAg, NAT (HBV))
- Hepatitis C (anti-HCV, NAT (HCV))
- Syphilis
An additional test for genetic diseases can be purchased.
Price for using a Known Donor
When you choose to use a Known Donor, you purchase a “package” containing the following:
- 1, 2, or 3 prepared sperm sample(s)
- Sperm analysis
- Blood and urine sample testing for infectious diseases (no later than 7 days after the first donation)
- Washing the sperm so it is ready for IUI treatment (ICI if the clinic prefers this)
- Freezing of the sperm samples and storage at Cryos for up to 6 months
- Delivery of the sperm to your fertility clinic in a nitrogen tank (2 shipments included)
- Total price: DKK 13,019 / EUR 1,743 (incl. VAT).
- You can purchase an optional genetic test for DKK 5,275 / EUR 712 (incl. VAT).
Process overview
1) Contact a fertility clinic
First, you must contact a fertility clinic and book an appointment for an initial consultation about the treatment procedure using a Known Donor. Please be aware that Cryos cooperates with selected Danish clinics on this. We also recommend having a sperm analysis done before starting the process. Read more about sperm analysis here.
2) Approval of the Known Donor
The recipient and the Known Donor meet with the fertility clinic to coordinate the further process. The clinic assesses the suitability of the Known Donor (performs clinical examination, cf. the Danish tissue regulation (“Vævsbekendtgørelsen”) and the question of paternity/maternity will be discussed and agreed upon.
1) Contact a fertility clinic
First, you must contact a fertility clinic and book an appointment for an initial consultation about the treatment procedure using a Known Donor. Please be aware that Cryos cooperates with selected Danish clinics on this. We also recommend having a sperm analysis done before starting the process. Read more about sperm analysis here.
2) Approval of the Known Donor
The recipient and the Known Donor meet with the fertility clinic to coordinate the further process. The clinic assesses the suitability of the Known Donor (performs clinical examination, cf. the Danish tissue regulation (“Vævsbekendtgørelsen”) and the question of paternity/maternity will be discussed and agreed upon.
3) The sperm donation at Cryos
The Known Donor then books an appointment with Cryos for the first sperm donation. Upon the first donation, any additional donations are scheduled. The donor can donate up to 3 times within 7 days. Always remember to bring a passport/driver’s license. In combination with the last donation, urine and blood samples are collected.
4) Sperm analysis and washing
Cryos will analyze the sperm in order to determine the sperm motility and quality of the sperm cells in the sample. After that, the sperm is washed and prepared for fertility treatment. The results of the freezing and sperm analysis are sent electronically to the Known Donor.
3) The sperm donation at Cryos
The Known Donor then books an appointment with Cryos for the first sperm donation. Upon the first donation, any additional donations are scheduled. The donor can donate up to 3 times within 7 days. Always remember to bring a passport/driver’s license. In combination with the last donation, urine and blood samples are collected.
4) Sperm analysis and washing
Cryos will analyze the sperm in order to determine the sperm motility and quality of the sperm cells in the sample. After that, the sperm is washed and prepared for fertility treatment. The results of the freezing and sperm analysis are sent electronically to the Known Donor.
5) Sperm storage at Cryos
The sperm samples are frozen and stored at Cryos for up to 6 months. If the storage duration is about to expire, an email reminder is automatically sent to the Known Donor. The storage can then be renewed online if necessary.
The shipping of the sperm sample(s) to the fertility clinic must be requested online when it is time for your treatment. The first two shipments are included in the price, but more shipments can be arranged if needed. The Known Donor will receive a login to our website, from where the shipping and storage renewal can be requested.
5) Sperm storage at Cryos
The sperm samples are frozen and stored at Cryos for up to 6 months. If the storage duration is about to expire, an email reminder is automatically sent to the Known Donor. The storage can then be renewed online if necessary.
The shipping of the sperm sample(s) to the fertility clinic must be requested online when it is time for your treatment. The first two shipments are included in the price, but more shipments can be arranged if needed. The Known Donor will receive a login to our website, from where the shipping and storage renewal can be requested.
FAQ about using a Known Donor/Private sperm donor
Can someone I know be my sperm donor?
Yes, someone you know – such as a friend, a relative, or co-parent – can be your sperm donor. This is called known sperm donation or private sperm donation, where you arrange the donation directly with the donor rather than through a sperm bank selection.
To help ensure a safe and professional process, Cryos offers a Known Donor service, which includes medical screening, infectious disease testing, and freezing of the sperm sample.
How to find a private sperm donor?
If you do not already know someone who can be your donor, there are private sperm donor matching services available. These platforms connect individuals who are open to a more personal arrangement than what is possible through a traditional sperm bank. For instance, Y factor, a private sperm donation app, helps you find and connect with potential known donors.
Is it safe to use a Known Sperm Donor?
Using a known sperm donor can be safe, especially when proper medical screening and legal agreements are in place. At Cryos, all donors in our sperm bank go through extensive testing to ensure sperm quality and safety, and they waive legal parenthood.
With private sperm donation, these safeguards are not always guaranteed. That is why we offer our Known Donor service, which includes comprehensive screening, medical testing, and sperm freezing to help make the process as safe and reliable as possible.