FAQ
Everything you need to know
Male Fertility
Semen quality is basically evaluated according to the following parameters: concentration (number of sperm detected per 1 ml of semen), motility (sperm movement) and morphology (percentage of normal sperm).
Sperm quality may show temporary or permanent damage. A high fever or recent exposure to toxic substances can also impair sperm quality, as can radiological applications performed near the testicles. Male age may also partially affect sperm quality, as well as excessive alcohol use and/or heavy smoking.
Levels of semen quality fluctuate in a yearly basis and may also vary in each ejaculation. According to the WHO recommendations, in order to evaluate most accurately the variation of semen quality, it is recommended to examine two semen samples collected at a time distance of 1 to 2.5 months.
Considering the progress that has been achieved in the field of assisted reproductive methods, sperm cryopreservation is a reasonable choice, even if its concentration or motility is low.
With the application of modern in vitro fertilization techniques, it is possible to create an embryo by the injection of one live spermatozoon in an oocyte.
In case semen quality is better, it may be used for the application of simpler, less invasive methods to achieve a pregnancy, e.g. intrauterine insemination.
Semen collection and cryopreservation can be initiated as soon as possible. Even though sperm production in the testes is continuous, a specific duration is necessary in order for the quantity to be recovered after each ejaculation. It is recommended that each sample be collected after 48 hours post ejaculation.
Usually, it is advised to collect several samples with an abstinence time of about 2 to 4 days.
Usually, it is advised to cryopreserve multiple samples, but if the time frame is limited, keeping even one sample is worth the effort.
With the application of modern in vitro fertilization techniques, it is possible to create an embryo by the injection of one live spermatozoon in an oocyte. Sperm cryopreservation is therefore a justifiable choice, even if semen quality is relatively low.
Generally, preserving more semen samples allows the performance of more reproductive cycles.
For every intended pregnancy, it is recommended to collect 3-6 semen samples, depending on sperm quality.
According to contemporary scientific data, semen quality is not affected even after many years of cryopreservation at ultralow temperatures.
Semen freezing may allow even an adolescent or young adult to become a father many years later, when he decides to create his own family.
Semen samples may be collected in a special, comfortable room located in the Sperm Bank. In case the patient is in the hospital, it is also possible that an authorized person can transfer the samples with specific appointment.
You are advised to arrange an appointment before your visit to the Sperm Bank. Specific instructions regarding the sample’s collection and transfer are provided by the personnel of CRYOGONIA during the phone communication.
Every semen sample is carefully identified using a special coding system and labeling, which ensures the precise traceability and confidentiality of the data. Each sample is labeled with the patient’s name, a unique code and the date of freezing.
A small aliquot of every semen sample is examined with regard to the basic sperm parameters before freezing, i.e.:
- Semen volume
- Sperm motility
- Motility index
The rest of the sample is diluted with a special cryoprotectant medium, which protects the biological properties of the spermatozoa during the freezing process.
The sample is gradually put in special freezing containers (straws or paillettes) at several aliquots of low volume (0.5 ml). The total number of straws depends on the total volume of the semen sample.
The freezing process starts directly after the straw filling and is performed using a semi-automated system which permits the gradual temperature decrease from room temperature to ultra low levels (< 0 °C). This step protects the spermatozoa from the damage that an abrupt temperature fall would cause.
At the end of the freezing cycle, the samples are submerged in liquid nitrogen and then placed in special long term cryopreservation tanks.
Semen may be preserved at a final temperature of -196 °C indefinitely. CRYOGONIA Sperm Bank offers semen cryopreservation for long time periods, following the patient’s consent and its renewal at regular intervals.
During thawing, some of the frozen spermatozoa do not survive. The recovery of functional spermatozoa that survive the freeze-thawing cycle depends on the endogenous endurance of each semen sample and cannot be predicted with certainty.
When you are ready to use your cryopreserved semen for an assisted reproductive method, you must notify the Sperm Bank as soon as possible, preferably 1-2 weeks before the scheduled attempt.
The semen sample can be transferred to any doctor or fertility clinic you specify on a written special consent form.
Semen testing and freezing is charged with a total sum which is relative to the total number of collected samples – there is a discount in case more than one samples are collected.
The cryopreservation costs are determined on a monthly basis and cover all cryopreserved samples.
Thawing and transport costs are also charged to the patient.
Provision of donor sperm
The shipment and transfer of sperm samples are arranged only after confirmation by the Assisted Reproduction Unit selected by the patient.
Domestic sperm sample transfers (Attica region): Patients should notify CRYOGONIA 2–4 days prior to the scheduled fertilization date.
International sperm sample transfers: The estimated delivery time is 5–7 working days, starting from profile code confirmation and financial clearance.
Once a timely shipment request is received, CRYOGONIA coordinates directly with the embryology team of the selected Assisted Reproduction Unit to ensure safe and efficient delivery of the biological material.
If you wish the whole reserve of a donor’s semen which is cryopreserved in CRYOGONIA to be exclusively released for your use, it is possible to arrange an exclusive reservation. In this way, all the donor’s samples that have been donated and cryopreserved in CRYOGONIA and have not been provided by CRYOGONIA to other recipients, are reserved for your own exclusive, personal future use.
More detailed information regarding this process is available by direct contact with the scientific personnel of CRYOGONIA.
According to the current legislation, sperm donation may, at the donor’s choice, be anonymous or non-anonymous and in the second case, either his details be disclosed from the beginning or be disclosed to the child after he/she reaches adulthood, if the latter requests it.
If the donor selects anonymity, medical information concerning him is kept in a confidential file without any indication of his identity. Access to this file is only allowed to the child and for reasons related to his/her health. The donor is protected against any claim of recognition of paternity, as well as against all rights arising there from. However, in no case the identity of the recipients, as well as that of the child or children born through the process of using donor sperm, are disclosed to the donor of the reproductive material.
Gamete donation between relatives is allowed only between collateral relatives and applies to blood relatives of the same sex. In case a gamete from a relative donor and a gamete from a third donor is used for fertilization, the side relative may be of the same or the opposite sex.
The law also permits donation by non-anonymous donor known to the recipients, in which case the gamete donation is made at his request to specific relatives or third party recipients.
Donor screening is performed according to the same legal requirements for all types of donors.
According to Greek law:
- The use of fresh (neat) donor semen is forbidden.
- The use of semen originating from more than one donor in the same reproductive cycle is forbidden.
- Any commercial activity (i.e. buying-selling) regarding the provision of semen is forbidden. The financial cost that the recipient has to pay covers all the legal expenses that are required in order for the gametes to be safely provided from the donor to the recipient. These include the costs for the medical and laboratory examinations of the donor and his semen, the donor’s compensation, the freezing, cryopreservation, release and transfer costs of the samples.
- The child born after the successful application of the assisted reproduction method using donor sperm shall have as its legal mother the wife/spouse and as its legal father the husband/partner. The consent of the husband/partner to the wife/spouse being subjected to heterologous in-vitro fertilization prohibits any objection to paternity.
For more information on the legal framework, you can also refer to the website of the National Authority of Medically Assisted Reproduction.
Laboratory testing of prospective donors includes multiple seminological and haematological tests:
Seminological tests:
- Conventional parameters (semen volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, vitality)
- Functional parameters (acrosome integrity test, sperm DNA integrity test, semen redox potential test, etc.)
- Recovery test and longevity study post thaw
- Complete microbiological screening
Hematological tests:
- Blood type (ABO) / Rh
- Chromosome analysis (karyotype)
- Mediterranean syndromes (thalassemia type a, b, db and sickle cell anemia – genetic testing by NGS and evaluation by HPLC and full blood count)
- Cystic fibrosis (includes ≥99% of mutations checked by NGS and also deletions and duplications for the CFTR gene)
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA 1 gene)
- Non-syndromic hearing loss (connexin GJB2 gene – most frequent mutation c.35delG)
- Sexually Transmissible Diseases (HIV I/II, HbsAg, anti-HCV, VDRL, anti-HTLV, CMV)
Only the candidates whose semen quality exceeds the reference values of internationally recognized methodologies are selected.
Due to the seasonal variations observed in semen, it is possible that a candidate donor is asked to deliver 2 or 3 control samples, in order to certify whether his semen quality meets the selection criteria.
There is also a possibility that neat semen of good quality might not be adequately recovered post thaw. Since sperm donation requires only frozen semen, the selection obviously includes only samples that produce good recovery of motile spermatozoa after thawing.
All laboratory tests are performed free of charge for the donors.
According to Greek law, donor sperm cannot be released unless the recipients have given their written informed consent to the Cryopreservation Bank.
In the case of recipient couples, both partners must give their written informed consent on a special document provided by the Cryopreservation Bank. Married couples must present a recent valid marriage certificate and photocopies of their identity cards. Unmarried partners must present a copy of their legal documentation declaring their union, as well as identity card photocopies.
A single female recipient without a partner is also required to give her written informed consent on a special document provided by the Cryopreservation Bank, as well as a copy of her legal documentation declaring her marital status, a copy of a special notary deed declaring her intention to undergo assisted reproduction by use of donor sperm and identity card photocopy.
The scientific personnel of CRYOGONIA is always happy to provide you with analytical information in a private meeting, by appointment at least 2 working days before the date that you will need to use the sample, as determined by your doctor. Additionally, you are also advised to seek legal advice with regard to the necessary legal documentation.
For more information on the legal framework, you can also refer to the website of the National Authority of Medically Assisted Reproduction.
Analytical non-identifying information regarding the donor’s profile is available in the offices of CRYOGONIA. These data are available to you only for your personal briefing and cannot be publicized or communicated to third parties.
Information regarding the donor is recorded as a basic profile, including his age, ethnic origin, hair colour, eye colour, skin colour, height, weight, blood group/Rh, psychological evaluation, studies, profession, as well as any possible pregnancies reported in his personal life. In addition, the scientific personnel of CRYOGONIA state their impression about the donor, based on their personal contact with him.
An extended profile of the donor is also available to you. This outlines the donor’s answers to several questions describing his everyday habits, views, personality and family history.
Here are some of the questions that the donors answer:
- My parents taught me to appreciate…
- My personal achievements so far are…
- My talents and inclinations are…
- What are the strong points of your character…
- What are the weak points of your character…
- My life philosophy is…
- My favorite sports, hobbies and interests are…
- Why do you wish to become a donor…
- If you could convey a message to the recipients of your donation, what would that be?
Children originating from gametes of the same third-party donor may not exceed ten (10) or twelve (12), not including the birth of a new child in a family that has already created a child from gametes of the same donor.
In case of successful birth, the recipients expressly undertake the responsibility to inform CRYOGONIA in order to update the donor’s records.
During the donor selection procedure, it is important to bear in mind the phenotypic characteristics of the recipients, as well as the blood groups/Rh. The donor whose general profile combines in the best possible way with the recipients’ profile is selected.
The donor selection process may also be performed by the Assisted Reproduction Unit (Fertility Clinic). Alternatively, during your meeting with the scientific personnel of the Sperm Bank, you can have the opportunity to describe the characteristics of your choice which will be taken into consideration for the donor selection.
The scientific personnel of CRYOGONIA are in direct personal contact with the collaborating donors and are willing to provide you with analytical information regarding their phenotypic characteristics, their personality or any other descriptive trait that will nevertheless not reveal their identity.
Please be informed that the children born after assisted reproductive methods using donor sperm shall also bear the chromosomal characteristics of the donor. However, there can be no prediction or guarantee regarding the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of these children.
Following your doctor’s advice regarding the time frame of the assisted reproductive procedure, contact CRYOGONIA in order to arrange an appointment with the scientific personnel.
In a private meeting the scientific experts of CRYOGONIA describe all the steps of the procedure and discuss with you all your questions Additionally, the phenotypic characteristics and all other type of information that will facilitate the selection of the most appropriate donor are recorded.
During the meeting you must present all the required documentation and you will be asked to complete the written informed consent form, which is necessary for the following steps.
When your doctor determines the exact date and time that the sample will be needed, the Sperm Bank is notified and the sample is transferred directly to the Assisted Reproduction Unit (Fertility Clinic) of your choice.
Sperm donation
- FINANCIAL COMPENSATION for the costs of participation in the program (according to law 3305/2005)
- FREE selected sperm and blood laboratory tests during participation in the programselected sperm and blood laboratory tests during participation in the program
- FREE specialized genetic tests
- FREE freezing and 5-year cryopreservation of a semen sample collected after the donor’s participation in the program and stored for personal use
- ETHICAL SATISFACTION for an act of substantial assistance and social contribution
- Age 18-40 years.
- Residence in Athens for one year from the start of the program.
- Personal and family history free of infectious, genetic or hereditary diseases.
- High risk groups excluded.
- Consistent participation and obligatory completion of the program.
- Good health.
- Regular visits to CRYOGONIA for the collection of specimens, requiring sexual abstinence of 3-4 days.
- Exclusive collaboration with CRYOGONIA.
The total duration of the initial screening is approximately 1 month. The qualified candidates are accepted to initiate the Sperm Donation program and commence their visits to the Sperm Bank, in order to collect the designated number of semen samples. The seminological and blood tests detecting the presence of sexually transmitted diseases are repeated every trimester and the frozen semen samples are released only after a minimum of 6 month quarantine, provided the test results are negative.
Laboratory testing of prospective donors includes multiple seminological and haematological tests:
Seminological tests:
- Conventional parameters (semen volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, vitality)
- Functional parameters (acrosome integrity test, sperm DNA integrity test, semen redox potential test, etc.)
- Recovery test and longevity study post thaw
- Complete microbiological screening
Hematological tests:
- Blood type (ABO) / Rh
- Chromosome analysis (karyotype)
- Mediterranean syndromes (thalassemia type a, b, db and sickle cell anemia – genetic testing by NGS and evaluation by HPLC and full blood count)
- Cystic fibrosis (includes ≥99% of mutations checked by NGS and also deletions and duplications for the CFTR gene)
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA 1 gene)
- Non-syndromic hearing loss (connexin GJB2 gene – most frequent mutation c.35delG)
- Sexually Transmissible Diseases (HIV I/II, HbsAg, anti-HCV, VDRL, anti-HTLV, CMV)
Only the candidates whose semen quality exceeds the reference values of internationally recognized methodologies are selected.
Due to the seasonal variations observed in semen, it is possible that a candidate donor is asked to deliver 2 or 3 control samples, in order to certify whether his semen quality meets the selection criteria.
There is also a possibility that neat semen of good quality might not be adequately recovered post thaw. Since sperm donation requires only frozen semen, the selection obviously includes only samples that produce good recovery of motile spermatozoa after thawing.
All laboratory tests are performed free of charge for the donors.
Once the donor semen samples’ collection is completed, the donor is obliged to return to the Sperm Bank for repeated laboratory testing within 3 and 6 months’ time and/or in case this is necessary for special reasons. Any change of personal contact details, i.e. address, phone number, must be reported to the Sperm Bank by the donor.
According to the current legislation, sperm donation may, at the donor’s choice, be anonymous or non-anonymous and in the second case, either his details be disclosed from the beginning or be disclosed to the child after he/she reaches adulthood, if the latter requests it.
If the donor selects anonymity, medical information concerning him is kept in a confidential file without any indication of his identity. Access to this file is only allowed to the child and for reasons related to his/her health. The donor is protected against any claim of recognition of paternity, as well as against all rights arising there from. The identity of the recipients, as well as that of the child or children born through the process of using donor sperm, are not disclosed to the donor of the reproductive material.
Gamete donation between relatives is allowed only between collateral relatives and applies to blood relatives of the same sex.
Donor screening is performed according to the same legal requirements for all types of donors.
Medical information concerning the sperm donor is kept strictly confidential and in codified form in the Sperm Cryopreservation Bank and the National Registry of Donors and Recipients, which must be maintained by the National Authority for Medically Assisted Reproduction (NAMRA). Access to this file is only allowed to the child and for reasons related to his/her health. In the case of anonymous donation, according to an explicit legislative provision, the identity of the person who has offered the gametes is not disclosed to the recipients and the children. Also, the identity of the child, as well as its parents, is not disclosed to the sperm donor.
By decision of the NAMRA or another competent Authority, it is possible for the donor’s details to be transmitted to another body, during the sperm transfer, in order to ensure the identification of the donor and to exclude cases of circumvention of the legislation, such as: sperm donation through more than one bank or achieving more than the allowed births. In the event of any such decisions, the donor may invoke the right to object or to limit or delete his details, depending on what may be applied on each specific case in accordance to the General Data Protection Regulation or the applicable Legislation at that time.
Children originating from gametes of the same third-party donor may not exceed ten (10) or twelve (12), not including the birth of a new child in a family that has already created a child from gametes of the same donor.
In case of successful birth, the recipients expressly undertake the responsibility to inform CRYOGONIA in order to update the donor’s records.
