A survey of semen donation: phase I--the view of UK licensed centres

It has been suggested that the implementation of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act in the UK in 1991 may have had a detrimental effect on the supply of semen donors. The aim of this survey was to obtain data relating to semen donation in the UK during 1989-1992. A questionnaire designed to obtain information about the recruitment and screening of semen donors, the supply of semen donors, and use of donated semen for infertility treatment was sent to all licensed centres in April 1993 and 93% were returned for analysis. The results demonstrate that while the number of centres recruiting donors and the number of men offering to be donors have increased in recent years, this has not resulted in an increased supply of donors. Reasons for these findings are discussed in the light of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority regulations relating to semen donation.