Sperm donors recount their experience

'I am donating, not selling my sperm'

Liu Yan, 22, (not his real name) is a university junior who donated to the sperm bank in Shanxi province.

In March 2012, a publicity brochure about sperm donation caught my eve. I thought it would be very meaningful to help infertile couples.

I was surprised my girlfriend encouraged the idea and accompanied me to the sperm bank.

A lot of female staff worked at the sperm bank but they wouldn't enter the donation room. A female staff member handed me a container and came back to collect the donation.

After I passed a physical test, I donated once a week for the following two months and I was tested for HIV six months after donating.

I was paid thousands of yuan. Though it is a considerable amount of money for a student like me, I wouldn't like people to say that I'm selling my sperm. It would distort my kind intention.

'It takes a lot to be a qualified donor'

Wu Tao, 38, (not real name), a university professor in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, said it takes a lot to be a qualified sperm donor.

Wu Tao, who does research on environmental studies, pays close attention to the study of human reproduction and hopes to bring happiness to infertile couples.

There are very strict standards for donation. The donor has to be voluntary and sign a confidentiality agreement with the hospital. The donors are required to be healthy males between 22 to 45 with good looks and normal intelligence.

The sperm bank staff told me that I was a very preferable donor, mature, smart, healthy and with a higher degree of intelligence.

The donation room was very cozy, simply but comfortably furnished. There was a TV playing some adult videos to help. The staff respected my privacy and took care of my feelings. They are very warm and friendly.

'Donation changed my life'

Kang Jun, 34, (not real name) is a civil servant in Taiyuan, Shanxi province.

I decided to donate because my brother became infertile after getting injured in a car accident which led divorce. If they knew about the sperm bank, they wouldn't have divorced probably.

The donor couldn't have a sex life during the donation period which would last about half a year and forbid taking a sauna, drinking alcohol or smoking. I kept the donation secret from my wife but she became suspicious.

I have been looking for different excuses to comfort her.