An overview on ethical issues about sperm donation

Beyond the scientific progress in assisted reproductive technologies （ART）, it is necessary to discuss the ethical considerations behind these advances. Ethical issues concerning sperm donation have been considered and discussed by government and non-governmental agencies, the public, media and academic institutions in many countries. Recommendations and guidelines concerning sperm donation issues vary from country to country and between professional groups within countries. This paper attempts to present an overview of findings and reports from various agencies concerning the ethics of sperm donation. The following topics are considered： limiting the number of donor offspring; minimizing risk of infection and genetics from sperm donors; age requirements for sperm donors; and anonymity versus non-anonymity of sperm donors. The diversity of policies shows that each country has its unique set of guidelines tailored toward its own specific needs. Similarly, countries designing their own procedures and guidelines concerning reproductive medicine must tailor them toward their own needs and practical considerations. In China's Mainland, the anonymous policy for sperm donation should still be carried out, and the number of donor offspring should be revaluated. ART procedures must be conducted in a way that is respectful of those involved. Ethical principles must respect the interests and welfare of persons who will be born as well as the health and psychosocial welfare of all participants, including sperm donors.

Sperm donation and its application in,China： a 7-year multicenter retrospective study

Sperm donation in China is different from that in other countries due to cultural, social and political factors. This research presents the current status of sperm donation in China's Mainland and highlights some problems. Between January 2003 and December 2009, 19 471 sperm donors were screened totally and 6467 donors （33.2%） were recruited. The primary reasons for non-recruitment were either inadequate semen parameters （55.0%） or positive results for sexually transmitted diseases （7.9%）. There were 327 （1.7%） qualified donors who withdrew from the program because of frustration related to failed semen parameters, participation merely for free medical tests or job transfer. A questionnaire investigating donor intention, as well as other concerns associated with sperm donation, was distributed to 516 potential donors. All potential donors indicated their primary motivation as altruism, while 90.9% mentioned monetary reward as a second motivating factor. Approximately 93.4% of donors expressed some apprehension about the risk of consanguineous mating and the protection of their identity. Over the past 7 years, 488 389 vials of donors＇ semen have been cryopreserved. In 36 438 artificial insemination with donor sperm （AID） cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate was 23.9% and the live birth rate was 16.6%, In 7148 in vitro fertilization cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate was 45.8% and the live birth rate was 35.2%. Human sperm banks have been strictly monitored to ensure that each sperm donor can only impregnate five women nationwide. There is still a large gap between the supply and demand for sperm donation which may be solved by updated guidelines.

To name or not to name？ An overview of the social and ethical issues raised by removing anonymity from sperm donors

The aim of this paper is to focus on the ethical issues raised by the removal of anonymity from sperm donors. The increasing currency of a ＇right to genetic truth＇ is clearly visible in the drive to revise the legislation on donor anonymity in Western and European countries. The ethical debate is polarized between the ＇right to privacy＇ of the donor or parent and the ＇right to know＇ of the prospective child. However, it is evident that religious, social and cultural attitudes have an overarching impact on attitudes towards sperm donation generally and anonymity specifically. In Asian countries, the social and cultural heritage is hugely diverse and different from those of the West. This review considers the research exploring the complexity of ethical issues informing this debate, and argues that parent＇s decisions to reveal donor insemination origins to their children are highly complex and relate to a range of social and cultural attitudes that have not been addressed within the policy to remove anonymity from sperm donors.

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen parameters in sperm bank volunteers with normal sperm concentration

In this study,we aimed to assess the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection on semenparameters.The study comprised 110 sperm volunteers who self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection from the Human Sperm Bank ofthe Center for Reproductive Medicine,Shandong University(Jinan,China).The volunteers had normal sperm concentration beforeinfection.Each volunteer provided semen samples before and after infection.We selected 90 days after infection as the cutoff point.Semen parameters within 90 days after infection of 109 volunteers(group A)were compared with semen parameters before infection.Moreover,semen parameters on or after 90 days after infection of 36 volunteers(group B)were compared with semen parameters beforeinfection.Furthermore,based on whether the volunteers had completed the three-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination booster,volunteersin group A and B were further divided into two subgroups separately.Semen parameters were compared before and after infection ineach subgroup.Our results showed that in this cohort population,the semen quality in volunteers with normal sperm concentrationsbefore infection decreased after SARS-CoV-2 infection within 90 days,while the semen quality returned to preinfection levels after 90days.The completion of a three-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination booster may exert a protective effect on semen quality after infection.

Decline of semen quality among Chinese sperm bank donors within 7 years （2008-2014）

Semen from 5210 sperm bank donors was analyzed and trends in semen quality were evaluated at Shandong Human Sperm Bank between 2008 and 2014. After 2-7 days of abstinence, semen samples were collected. Measurements of semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm forward motility, and total sperm count were performed. There were significant declining trends in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm forward motility, and total sperm count. Our results indicate that the quality of semen in this cohort of sperm donors had decreased during the study period.

Evaluation of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine on semen parameters in reproductive-age males:a retrospective cohort study

During the coronavirus disease(COVID-19)epidemic,there have been concerns about the impact of vaccines on people’s fertility,including the fertility of those who are currently preparing for pregnancy and those who might become pregnant in future.However,there is still a lack of research on the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on male fertility,and it is not surprising that couples and donors have concerns regarding vaccination.In this study,a retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine semen quality before and after receipt of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine.There were no statistically significant changes in semen parameters(volume,sperm concentration,progressive motility,and total progressive motile count)after two doses of vaccine(all P>0.05).In summary,our study updates the most recent studies on the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine on male fertility,and the information from this study could be used to guide fertility recommendations for assisted reproductive technology(ART)patients and donors.