Who qualifies for sperm donation in Cyprus?

Sperm donation in Cyprus is a type of third-party assisted reproduction that involves third parties (sperm or egg donors in Cyprus) in the conception of a child for individuals who cannot have a baby on their own. This includes using donated eggs and/or sperm to create embryos in an IVF (in vitro fertilization) procedure that will be later implanted into the mother’s uterus.

IVF (in vitro fertilization) with donor sperm has been practiced for years. Sperm donation in Cyprus for male infertility is a viable option for men who struggle with fertility issues that are often congenital or developed later in life.

Before proceeding with sperm donation, the recipient(s) must be evaluated thoroughly for the causes of their infertility. Once the test results are ready, our EuroCARE IVF fertility specialist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to their condition. Sperm donation in Cyprus requires the use of IVF as a method of fertilization and conception. Because of its high success rates, sperm donation is one of the most successful treatments used in cases of severe male factor infertility.

Who is a Sperm Donor

A man who donates sperm to an individual or couple to help them conceive as part of IVF (in vitro fertilization) is called sperm donor. Sperm donation, as a type of third-party assisted reproduction, is well regulated in North Cyprus. Anonymity is guaranteed and sperm donors have no responsibilities for the child/ren.

Donors undergo a series of screening tests and their medical and family history is examined in order to ensure healthy sperm and prevent genetic diseases from being passed on to the children. The Cypriotic law requires that all donors be over the age of 18 and in good mental and physical health. Moreover, they should test negative for infectious diseases and have a normal karyotype. Our fertility team will help you to make the right choice of sperm donor based on phenotypic (physical characteristics) and immunological (blood group and Rh factor) similarities between the donor and the recipient.

Who Qualifies for Sperm Donation in Cyprus

Sperm donation in Cyprus is a special program that accepts only candidates who meet the following basic requirements:

• Be aged 18 to 35
• Be in good physical and mental health
• Test negative for HIV, and Hepatitis B and C
• Test negative for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS
• Have no genetic disorders
• Have no family history of genetic diseases (hemophilia, thalassemia, spina bifida, heart malformation)
• Can provide a family medical history
• Be willing to undergo an extensive, multi-tiered screening process
• Be willing to commit to the sperm donation process
• Sign a sperm donation agreement giving up rights and responsibilities over the resulting children

Sperm Donor Screening Process

Sperm donors have to undergo a thorough screening process comprising:

• A medical questionnaire
• Evaluation of the medical history of the donor along with his family history in order to rule out a specific genetic or chromosomal condition that can be passed onto the child.
• Blood tests and urine tests for infectious diseases, such as:
  • HIV
  • HCV
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Syphilis (VDRL)
  • Rubella IgG
  • CMV IgG
  • HBsAg
• Blood tests for blood and Rh typing
• Physical examination of the reproductive organs including the penis, scrotum and testicles
• Karyotyping (chromosomal analysis)
• Genetic testing for the following conditions:
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Thalassemia
• General health assessment
• Psychological evaluation
• Semen analysis to measure:
  • Sperm count
  • Sperm morphology (shape)
  • Sperm motility (movement)

Sperm Donor Age

A decline in male fertility due to age may not happen so dramatically as it often does in women. However, age can affect sperm production and ejaculation. Age can also reduce sperm quality and quantity. All sperm donors who are part of our sperm donation program are between the ages of 18 and 35. The age limit criteria ensure sperm quality and absence of age-dependent chromosomal abnormalities.

Why is Sperm Donation in Cyprus Used for

Sperm donation in Cyprus is recommended in cases of male factor infertility when your partner isn’t producing enough healthy sperm and surgical sperm retrieval techniques such as Micro TESE have failed to provide viable sperm for fertilization. Sperm donation is an option also when both testes have been surgically removed. A male’s sperm production function may be impaired after cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in which case the female partner will need to use donor sperm. Sometimes, patients use sperm donation as a way to avoid a genetic condition from being passed from the father onto the child.

A sperm donor may also be needed when there is an incompatibility in blood groups between the two partners. This occurs when the man has a positive blood group and the woman has a negative one, in which case the fetus is likely to be attacked by antibodies produced by the female body. Sperm donation in Cyprus is also a great option for single women and same-sex couples to help them start a family.

How to Find a Sperm Donor in Cyprus

You can use a sperm bank to find a suitable donor. All you have to do it search through the profiles of the highly qualified sperm donors and choose the one that has the characteristics and qualities you desire the most. All sperm donors are carefully selected and thoroughly screened to give you the best chance of pregnancy success.

Prior to your IVF treatment in Cyprus, you will need to fill out a questionnaire where you will give information about the features and qualities you look for in a donor. Based on your preferences, our EuroCARE IVF team will help you with the selection of a donor. Once the official match is done, a sperm sample from the chosen donor will be ordered from the sperm bank and supplied just in time for your treatment.

Sperm Donor Bank

A sperm bank is a company that provides and stores human semen from men (sperm donors) who donate sperm to help women achieve a pregnancy. A sperm donor must undergo a screening process and meet specific requirements regarding age and medical history. A pregnancy achieved using donor sperm is no different from a pregnancy achieved naturally with a male partner. If candidates qualify for sperm donation, a semen sample will be obtained and frozen using vitrification. Sperm freezing, also known as semen cryopreservation preserves the quality of the sperm by the method of vitrification (flash freezing). The sperm is stored in a special facility in a frozen state for a prolonged period of time.

How to Choose a Sperm Donor

Choosing a sperm donor is a very personal decision. Patients at EuroCARE IVF in search of a donor will get access to a donor database where they can choose from a variety of different profiles. Our fertility team is here to help you navigate the matching process and select the best fit for your IVF cycle. Here are some important aspects to consider when choosing a sperm donor:

• Sperm quality and safety. It is essential to eliminate the risks of transmission of infectious diseases. Every potential sperm donor undergoes an extensive, lengthy screening process before being accepted for donation. Once the screening process is successfully completed and the donor meets the requirements for donation, a sperm sample is obtained, analyzed and then cryopreserved to ensure quality and safety. You can have complete confidence that our sperm donors meet strict general and specific requirements and rigorous safety standards.
• Absence of a genetic condition. Another important factor in the selection of a sperm donor is the absence of a genetic disease. All potential donors are carefully screened for genetic conditions that can compromise the mother’s and child’s health. Genetic tests ensure that the donor carries no genetic disease or there is no family history of a genetic disease that can be passed onto the child.

• Physical characteristics. Usually, couples choose donors who resemble the male partner. Some of the physical attributes patients consider when selecting a sperm donor are eye and hair color, skin tone, height, weight, nationality/ethnicity, blood group, and Rh factor.

• Interests, education, occupation. Some talents, interests, and professions may be linked to higher intelligence and competence. Again, this is very personal as couples choose a donor based on their needs and preferences. This is more about a choice that gives patients more control over creating a new member of their family.

Sperm Donor Anonymity

The leading IVF clinic in North Cyprus, EuroCARE IVF, partners with a reputable sperm bank that provides donor sperm of the highest quality. All donors have undergone thorough screening before being added to the sperm donor database. There you can find a variety of donors from different backgrounds. To help couples make a better choice, they are offered the following information about each donor: height, weight,  eye/hair/skin color, ethnicity, nationality, occupation, religion, hobbies/interests, medical history, marital status, etc. However, the donor’s personal information is kept private.

In addition to the screening process, donors are required to have legal counseling. All sperm donors sign a contract in which they consent to remain anonymous and give up the legal rights over any resulting child/ren.

Sperm Donor Parental Rights Waiver

Sperm donors before donation are required to sign a contract where they give up any legal rights over the children born as a result of the donation. The role of our anonymous sperm donors is to provide a sperm sample that will be used for fertilization in IVF. You and your partner (if any) will:

• be the legal parent(s) of your child
• have legal responsibility for the child
• be named on the birth certificate
• have rights over how the child will be brought up
• be required to support the child financially

Going Abroad for Sperm Donation

Going abroad for sperm donation is an attractive option for patients from Europe and overseas as it’s cheaper and there are no waiting lists. Our EuroCARE IVF clinic meets the highest safety and management standards that apply to fertility clinics. The biggest advantage of sperm donation in Cyprus is that donors have no legal responsibility or rights over the child – this is not necessarily the case if you have treatment in your home country. Moreover, donors undergo a series of tests that make sure they are healthy and fit for donation.

IVF with Sperm Donation in Cyprus

All patients are required to undergo fertility testing to identify the causes of their infertility and identify a personalized treatment plan that will work best for them. Once the details of the treatment plan are determined, a sperm donor is selected and the sperm sample is ordered. Once the sample is shipped to our clinic, a process called thawing is carried out to unfreeze the sperm followed by ICSI procedure to facilitate the process of fertilization. During ICSI in Cyprus, single sperm cells are injected into each mature egg. Fertilized eggs are then monitored and graded for quality. The best ones will be transferred on day three or day five after fertilization depending on their quality and stage of development. Two weeks after the embryo transfer, a beta hCG test is carried out to determine if IVF with sperm donation in Cyprus was successful.

Sperm Donation at EuroCARE IVF in North Cyprus

For hundreds of prospective parents every year, conceiving with donor sperm is a very real prospect. As one of the methods of third-party assisted reproduction, sperm donation in Cyprus remains a very popular choice for those who cannot conceive for various reasons.

The safest way to conceive using donor sperm is through our licensed IVF clinic located in Nicosia, North Cyprus. EuroCARE IVF partners with a reputable sperm bank to provide you with the best sperm for your IVF treatment in Cyprus. With our donation program not only are parental rights guaranteed, but donor’s autonomy and suitability are assured.

All sperm donors have passed an extensive screening process to ensure protection against health risks. Moreover, donors have signed a legal contract where they gave up responsibility for the child/children born as a result of the donation. Sperm donor agreements eliminate the risk of the donor seeking status in the future.

Exploring available treatment options and learning what they each encompass is key to planning your future family in the best possible way. Connect with us to learn more about the sperm donation process! Our experienced patient coordinator will help you make a well-informed decision about your next IVF with sperm donation treatment in Cyprus.