by Andrea Gerlin
Date: 22 January 2010
Source: Bloomberg
Research conducted by the University of Sheffield, UK, reveals that sperm donation has fallen significantly in recent years, with the removal of donor anonymity potentially one reason for this. Another reason may be the growing popularity of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The donor shortage is having an impact on fertility treatment in the UK and in 2007 only 1,779 patients received treatment with donor sperm, compared to almost 9,000 in 1992.
Susan Seenan of Infertility Network UK echoed the concerns from the article in The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. She accepts that many patients are travelling abroad for treatment, often due to a severe lack of sperm donors. Although many patients receive a high standard of care abroad, this is not ideal as rules and regulations may be very different to the UK. There are also concerns that people are purchasing fresh sperm online for DIY insemination. Sperm and egg donors in the UK must be increased, and issues such as payment of donors addressed. Patients deserve access to safe, regulated treatment in their own country.
For more information visit www.infertilitynetworkuk.com or call 0800 008 7464
