– We are obviously very grateful that people respond in this way, says Peter Fedorcsak. He is head of the reproductive medicine department at Oslo University Hospital (OUS), which is one of two public sperm banks in Norway. The other is located at St. Olav’s hospital in Trondheim. In both places, they have experienced a sperm drought for a long time, but after news mentioned this lack of donors on Tuesday, there has been an influx of men who want to donate. At OUS, they have received around 30 inquiries this week, which is quite a lot considering that they usually receive between 50 and 60 in the course of a year. As already discussed by Adresseavisen, the number at St. Olav’s is even higher. – It is absolutely fantastic. Kima has said on the phone that the case was published on news. As of today, we have well over 50 new people who have signed up for sperm donation, says gynecologist Øyvind Nytun. – In terms of experience, between 50 and 70 per cent are finally approved as donors, so this bodes very well for patient care in the future. Sperm donation Photo: Roy Pettersen / Roy Pettersen To be approved as a donor, you must tell us about yourself. You must also tell about your own and your family’s physical and mental health. You will also be tested for any infectious diseases to ensure they are not passed on to mother or child. Sperm donors must be over 18 years of age, and should be between 25 and 45 years of age. It can be an advantage to have children of your own, but it is not a prerequisite. Donors must be in good health, both physically and mentally. No known serious hereditary diseases or conditions in close family. Have good sperm quality that can withstand freezing. Each donor is expected to show up 10-15 times to donate sperm. Children of sperm donors have the right to know who the donor father is when they turn 15. Today there are two public sperm banks in Norway. At Oslo University Hospital and St. Olav’s Hospital in Trondheim. Source: Helsenorge.no / St. Olav’s hospital Wants a steady flow According to Peter Fedorcsak at OUS, it is not unusual for interest to flare up after newspaper reports. – I have worked with this for almost 18 years. My experience is that every time sperm donation is mentioned in the media, more people come forward – regardless of whether the mention is negative or positive, he says. Peter Fedorcsak at the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Oslo University Hospital is very pleased that so many people have made contact in the past week. Photo: Amalie Huth Hovland / OUS At the same time, the doctor emphasizes that a boom in donors every now and then does not provide a lasting solution. At the public sperm banks, only Norwegian sperm is used, and according to Norwegian regulations, one donor can only be the father of children in six families. Therefore, they depend on a continuous and steady flow of donors. The same applies to egg donation, says gynecologist Øyvind Nytun. Gynecologist Øyvind Nytun helps fulfill the dream of a child by placing an embryo in a womb. Photo: Morten Andersen / news Must be prepared for contact One of the reasons for the seed drought is that there is simply greater demand, due to changes in the law in recent years. Embryologist Hege Svendsgård at the fertility section at St. Olav’s hospital says so. – The new Biotechnology Act opened in 2020 for single women to use sperm donors, and they make up a large proportion. We also have a number of same-sex couples, for whom it was opened in 2011, she says. – Then there will be a strain on the inventory. In order for the cold storage not to be emptied, they are dependent on bringing in even more donors, says embryologist Hege Svendsgård. Photo: Morten Andersen / news Another reason is that some are a little reluctant to donate because since 2005 anonymous sperm donation has not been allowed in Norway. This means that when the child turns 15, he has the right to know his biological origin, and a donor must be prepared to be contacted by the child. Therefore, all potential donors must carry out interviews with a nurse and doctor where they receive a thorough review of what it means to be a donor. – The choice is not just about the donor himself, but the entire social circle and family can be affected by this selfless act, says Peter Fedorcsak at OUS. – But the sperm donors I meet often have clear thoughts about a possible future meeting, and they appear to be very conscious and proud. Precious drops that can mean everything to the recipient. Photo: Edin Babic / news Deep desire Embryologist Hege Svendsgård says that some of those who have now made contact were actually not aware that they had this offer at St. Olav’s. Some may also not be aware that you can cover travel to Oslo or Trondheim, if you do not live in these cities. The joy is therefore great when they realize that they can possibly help someone fulfill their wish for children. – The desire to have children is very deep in many people, and the road here may have been long for those who need help. So this offer may mean everything to them, she says.
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