Sperm donation and its application in China: a 7-year multicenter retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Andrology
• Public Health

Background:

• Sperm donation practices in China are influenced by unique cultural, social, and political factors.
• Understanding the current landscape of sperm donation in Mainland China is crucial for addressing existing challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the current status of sperm donation in Mainland China.
• To identify and analyze problems within the Chinese sperm donation program.

Main Methods:

• Screening of 19,471 potential sperm donors between January 2003 and December 2009.
• Recruitment of 6,467 donors, with detailed analysis of reasons for non-recruitment.
• Distribution of a questionnaire to 516 potential donors to investigate motivations and concerns.

Main Results:

• A 33.2% recruitment rate was observed, with inadequate semen parameters (55.0%) and sexually transmitted diseases (7.9%) as primary exclusion reasons.
• Altruism was the main donor motivation, followed by monetary reward (90.9%).
• Significant donor apprehension (93.4%) existed regarding consanguineous mating and identity protection.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a substantial gap between sperm supply and demand in China.
• Addressing donor motivations, concerns, and improving recruitment strategies are essential.
• Updated guidelines and improved donor management may help bridge the supply-demand gap in sperm donation services.