Sperm Donor Criteria & Testing
What It Means – and Why Sperm Health Matters
Sperm quality isn’t just about fertility – it’s based on specific lab-tested parameters that determine how suitable your sample is for use.
Before you can become a sperm donor, we conduct a complimentary sperm quality test, health assessment and genetic testing. This ensures your donation can be safely and effectively used in fertility treatment.
Complimentary Sperm Testing
Count
We assess this by analysing a small sample under a microscope. While over 15 million per millilitre is considered normal, we look for higher counts to ensure suitability for freezing and treatment use.
Motility
We assess what percentage are actively moving and how efficiently they’re doing so. The more motile your sperm, the better your chances of being accepted as a donor.
Morphology
We measure how many in your sample have a normal shape. Some variation is natural, but a higher proportion of well-formed sperm improves the chances your sample will be used.
What Can Affect Your Sperm Quality?
Even if you’re in good general health, certain everyday habits and lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on your sperm quality. Factors like diet, stress, heat exposure, and even the supplements you take can influence the number, movement, and shape of your sperm.
Understanding what affects sperm health not only helps you prepare for donation, but also supports your long-term reproductive wellbeing. Small changes can make a big difference – and we’re here to guide you through it.
Diet & Nutrition
A balanced diet supports sperm development. Nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, and folate play a key role in maintaining sperm count and motility. Deficiencies can lead to weaker samples and reduced fertility potential.
Smoking & Vaping
Tobacco and nicotine products – including vapes – have been shown to lower sperm count and damage movement. Regular use can affect both the number of sperm and their ability to swim effectively.
Steroids & Supplements
Some gym supplements, especially anabolic steroids and testosterone boosters, can significantly reduce or even stop sperm production. Always check what you’re taking and speak to a healthcare professional if unsure.
Heat Exposure
Excessive heat around the testicles – from hot tubs, saunas, tight underwear, or laptops on your lap – can lower sperm quality. Sperm develop best at slightly below body temperature.
Stress & Sleep
Chronic stress and poor sleep can affect hormone levels that control sperm production. A healthy sleep routine and stress management can help improve overall sperm health.
Every Donor Journey is Different
Sperm quality and other factors can vary from person to person, which means your donation journey might look slightly different from someone else’s — and that’s completely normal.
If your sperm is best suited for IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), we may need to store a higher number of samples to reach your donation goal. For IVF or ICSI, fewer samples are typically required.
The volume of each sample also matters. Donors who produce larger volumes of high-quality sperm may reach their storage targets more quickly.
We also take into account the number of families you’ve consented to help. This allows us to plan how many vials are needed to support future patients.
The number of clinic visits you’ll need depends on how your samples perform during screening and storage. Whatever your individual path looks like, we’ll guide you through it clearly and support you every step of the way.
What It Means If You’re Not Accepted
Our screening process is highly selective, and only around 1 in 100 men who apply will meet the full criteria to join the programme. This doesn’t mean you’re infertile or that there’s anything wrong with your sperm — in most cases, it simply means that your sample doesn’t meet the very specific requirements we need for treatment use.
Sperm quality can vary naturally between individuals, and even from day to day, so not being accepted doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem with your reproductive health. In fact, many men who aren’t accepted go on to have children of their own without issue.
If we do notice anything in your sample that could be of concern, one of our scientists will reach out to explain the findings and, if appropriate, recommend next steps.
Our selection process is guided by the HFEA Code of Practice and UK national guidelines. These strict standards are in place to ensure the safety and success of treatment for recipients, and to protect the wellbeing of donor-conceived children.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Understanding your sperm health is just the beginning. If you’re thinking about becoming a donor, we’re here to guide you through the process — from screening and support to your personalised donation plan. Whether you’re ready to apply or just want to ask a few questions, we’d love to hear from you.