New push to encourage sperm donation

By Candy Lashkari

A critical shortage in the sperm available in IVF clinics has forced some of them to launch online advertising campaigns to encourage sperm donation. The campaign is targeting sports and finance websites which have a larger male readership. Ad tag lines like "you've got millions to spare, we only need one" and "a donation to us won't save a life; hopefully it will create one" are hoping to appeal to the generosity of the adult male.

The restrictions on imported sperm along with new legislation which takes away the anonymity of the donor from his future children are being seen as primary reasons for the shortfall of donations. According to the new law, the children have the right to know the identity of their donor father. This is proving a big deterrent to sperm donors.

According to Professor Michael Chapman, a senior fertility specialist with IVF Australia there has been a 70& drop in sperm donors nationally. Couples with fertility issues are waiting for up to 12 months for donations. “And particularly if you're in your late thirties and deciding to have children, at that point, that 12 months can mean the difference between you becoming a mother or not." said Professor Chapman.

The legal changes involve the fertility clinic formally registering the donor with the government agency. This information is what a number of donors are unwilling to share. From 2005 to 2007 the number of IVF cycles helped by sperm donation has reduced from 3,356 to 2,458. While in part this has been due to enhanced technological help to infertile males, it has also been in a major part due to lack of sperm donations.

Dr John McBain, the Royal Women's Hospital's head of reproductive services, hopes that the campaign launched online will help appeal to the altruistic sense in adult males and allow them to view sperm donation as a gift. He also feels that allowing single women and same sex couples a chance to have babies have also led to the decline in sperm donation.

''The new laws have to be welcomed as it means we no longer discriminate on the basis of sexual preference or marital status. However, it does mean that we will need more sperm donors in Victoria to cope with demand.'' said Dr McBain

With the online campaign being seen as a measure to boost the sperm donations, many infertile couples hope that they may not have to wait very long for a baby of their own. How effective the campaign will be is yet to be seen.