Legislation that prevents sperm donors from remaining anonymous has not deterred men from coming forward as doctors had feared: the number donating actually increased in the first year after the reforms.

Figures released yesterday show that the number of men registering as sperm donors increased by 6 per cent in the year after April 1, 2005, when the new rules came into effect.

Fertility clinics and sperm banks registered 265 new sperm donors with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) in the past year, compared with 250 in the past 12 months of anonymity. The number of new donors based in Britain has also gone up, from 197 to 208.

The rise is surprising because many fertility doctors had expected the loss of anonymity to deter men and women from donating sperm and eggs, for fear that they would be contacted by any offspring when they reached the age of 18.

Most clinics already had an acute shortage of donated sperm and eggs before the law was changed, and there was widespread concern that the new regime would worsen waiting lists that often run into years.

The new figures indicate that the change has not adversely affected the number of men prepared to donate sperm.

Doctors think that the slight increase has probably been caused by the publicity given to the law change, which may have encouraged some men to think for the first time about donation.

Fertility specialists said that although the increase was welcome there remained a shortage of donated sperm and eggs.

Mark Hamilton, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: “The BFS notes with interest the HFEA’s report of a slight increase in the number of sperm donors registering in the UK in 2006. The BFS remains concerned that availability of sperm donation services remains patchy at best throughout the country. The Society is aware of several centres which have now withdrawn donor insemination services to patients, and for those who may be fortunate to be able to access treatment, costs and waiting times have greatly increased.”

Laura Witjens, chairwoman of the National Gamete Donation Trust, said: “It is encouraging to see that the hard work put into recruiting willing-to-be-known donors is starting to pay off. However, it is crucial to remember that we haven’t reached the required 500 sperm donors per year and we are nowhere near solving the problem of the shortage of egg donors.

“Most of the increase in numbers is down to the sustained work of a small number of committed clinics.”

Shirley Harrison, chairman of the HFEA, said: “The decision by Parliament to remove anonymity for those sperm and egg donors who registered after April 1, 2005, has always been controversial.These new figures show that the predicted drop in sperm donor numbers is a myth.

“Professionals working in the sector say that there are a complex set of reasons which led to a fall in donor numbers from 1997. The British Fertility Society, the National Gamete Donation Trust and other organisations have been looking at ways to improve the numbers of sperm donors recruited.

“More and more clinics are increasing their efforts to recruit sperm donors. These figures show that these efforts have been paying off and that number are continuing to increase.”

The rules

—Sperm donors who provided samples before April 1, 2005, have the right to remain anonymous

—Donors who gave sperm on or after April 1, 2005, can be contacted by offspring when they reach the age of 18

—Sperm donors must be aged between 18 and 45

—A maximum of 10 families can be created using sperm from any one donor

—Sperm or egg donors may claim up to £250 for lost earnings

Source: HFEA

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