Male infertility and some women’s desire to have a child while remaining unmarried are among the main reasons why heterosexual or same-sex couples turn to sperm donation. Donation can be done in a natural or artificial way. The former is done with a genitor and the latter with a donor. More details in this article.

Genitor: definitions

In simple terms, the genitor is the person who proposes a semen donation via the natural method, i.e. intercourse with the requester. 

A man who donates his sperm in a natural way

The genitor is a man who donates his sperm in a natural way to a woman. To make the donation, there must be physical contact or sexual intercourse between the two people of opposite sexes. It is therefore the biological father of the child that will be born and whom the mother will be able to choose and therefore become acquainted with.  

The two types of genitors

The genitor can be defined as a natural sperm donor. He is therefore contacted by a woman, generally via the Internet. An agreement being established between them, they arrange an appointment to meet in person, face to face. This is to confirm the first agreement reached online and to discuss the terms of the natural donation that needs to be made. Then, both partners will meet in a place of their choosing. They will then perform the sexual act during the woman’s fertile days, with the sole purpose of conceiving a child.

A semi-natural sperm donor can also be called a genitor. What exactly is semi-natural sperm donation? There is still physical contact, but not in the way of the entirely natural sperm donation. It is limited to one penetration solely for the purpose of ejaculation. In this case, the genitor has to masturbate until an ejaculation occurs. This technique is known as repository donation. Although it requires less physical contact, it can only be performed with the consent of both parties.

Can anyone get in touch with a genitor?

Anyone can ask for the help of a genitor. Single women who want to have a child without being in a couple are among the most likely to do so. They often do their research on the Internet.

Lesbians in a couple can also resort to this practice. Since lesbians with a partner are often forbidden to use Assisted Reproduction Technology, or ART, they choose to rely on a genitor to carry out their plans to start a family. This natural method will surely allow them to have a child.

Heterosexual couples can also opt for this natural reproduction technique in cases of male infertility. The artificial method seems to them to take too long and is less certain, so they choose to resort to a genitor.

The legal framework governing sperm donation by means of a genitor

The natural sperm donation performed by a genitor is by no means illegal as long as the sexual intercourse between the two parties is consensual. This is simply because it requires no external manipulation.

This method is therefore not subject to any legislation on sperm donation, which demands some clinical protocols to be carried out in an Egg and Sperm Conservation Study Centre or sperm bank. As the name implies, these centers are dedicated to the conservation of donated sperm and guarantee the anonymity of the donor. None of this is necessary in the case of a natural sperm donation carried out with a genitor.

However, there are certain risks associated with natural sperm donation, including sexually transmitted diseases resulting from unprotected sex.

What is a sperm donor?

As opposed to a genitor, a donor provides sperm in an artificial way. Clinical protocols are therefore mandatory for the donation to be carried out within proper legal and health frameworks.

A man who donates his sperm artificially

The sperm donor artificially donates his sperm. The donation process therefore does not involve any physical contact with the recipient woman. This method comes in four main forms: altruistic, remunerated, identified and anonymous. The form must be chosen prior to any procedure. In all cases, the donor acts voluntarily.

Without physical contact, and therefore without sexual intercourse, this type of donation is achieved through masturbation. The sperm obtained is analyzed and stored in a sperm bank. The fertilization process that ensues is carried out with the help of technical assistance known as Medically Assisted Procreation or MAP. It is available in two forms, namely Artificial Insemination or AI and In Vitro Fertilization or IVF. In addition, the donor’s sperm must meet certain quality and quantity criteria in order to be used. 

The types of sperm donors.

There are two types of sperm donors. One is the anonymous sperm donor. The child that will be born from the procedure and the intended parents can never know the identity of this person. This anonymity is stipulated in the contract concluded prior to any artificial fertilization operation. The people receiving the donation must comply with it and refrain from trying to contact the donor.

Then there is the identified donor. All information about him is provided to the requester. However, such information must not be revealed to the child until he/she reaches the age of majority. When the time comes, the disclosure of the donor’s identity must be done within a strict legal framework.

Choosing a sperm donor

Usually, the fertility center is responsible for matching a donor with a requester. The choice is based on the characteristics that are most similar to those of the requester. This center provides the requester with essential information about the donor. Nevertheless, anonymity is protected.

Anonymous donors are therefore granted the right to have public profiles that will allow requesters to make an informed choice. The information disclosed mainly concerns ethnic origin, complexion, hair and eye color, occupation, education, religion, personal interests and weight.

Sperm donor: Conditions that must be met

Contrary to the genitor, the donor must fulfil certain conditions. Above all, his legal majority is required. In addition, it should be noted that men are capable of producing spermatozoa during their entire life. However, the quality and quantity of sperm may decrease. This is why the donor’s age is limited to 40 in some countries. In France, however, it is 45 years old.

Once these conditions have been met, the donor must go to a fertility center for the first collection. The latter will be subjected to preliminary examinations, which generally include a freezing test, seminal analysis or spermiogram, genetic study, psychological test and testing for infectious diseases.

Compensation for donating sperm

It is important to know that sperm, which are considered to be parts of the human body, cannot be traded according to current French legislation. The sum offered to the donor by the fertility center is a kind of compensation that covers the time spent on the donation process and travel expenses. It varies according to the sperm bank and the country.

If you want to be a single parent and opt for a natural sperm donation, finding a donor is your best solution. To find the donor that will meet all your requirements, register on Coparentalys, the meeting site for coparents.