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Sperm banking 101
While the idea of using donor sperm may seem a little overwhelming, as the leading sperm bank in the U.S., we can help break it all down for you — from commonly used terms, to choosing a sperm bank, and learning more about how we choose our donors. And, of course, our client services team is always just a phone call away, ready to answer all your questions.
The history of using donor sperm
As a leading pioneer in sperm banking since 1977, our history is an impressive one. However, the practice of using sperm for artificial insemination actually goes back centuries. Here are a few of the highlights:
1677
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is the first to describe and illustrate sperm as he saw it under the microscope.
1790
John Hunter performed the first artificial insemination in a human.
1953
1977
California Cryobank began offering frozen donor sperm and private preservation.
How do you know you’ve chosen the right sperm bank?
When it comes to a successful pregnancy, the sperm bank you choose can be just as important as the sperm donor you eventually select. There are a number of factors you should consider in making your decision, to make sure the sperm bank you choose is not only reputable and successful, but also focused on meeting the unique needs of your family. Making sure your sperm bank checks all these boxes (in the very least) is a great place to start.
Selective donor qualification rates
Rigorous donor screening
Diversified portfolio of donors
ID disclosure availability
Donor availability
Accreditation
Experience
Limited family units per donor
Reproductive genetic specialists
Fee transparency
Sperm storage options
Safe and flexible shipping
Quality standards
Support and convenience
Reproductive genetic specialists
Fee transparency
Sperm storage options
Safe and flexible shipping
Creating a portfolio of qualified sperm donors
With the help of social media, live events, online advertising, and referrals from existing donors, we seek out donors who share a common level of excellence.
Diversity
We have a diverse catalog of sperm donors
While most of our donors are college students or professionals in fields that include business, medicine, law, or entertainment, and more, we actively recruit — and create easily accessible donation locations — all across the country; to connect with potential donors from varied backgrounds and ethnicities.
Application requirements
Initial qualification requirements for California Cryobank sperm donors
Qualification process
Qualification process
We have a diverse catalog of sperm donors
While most of our donors are college students or professionals in fields that include business, medicine, law, or entertainment, and more, we actively recruit — and create easily accessible donation locations — all across the country; to connect with potential donors from varied backgrounds and ethnicities.
Initial qualification requirements for California Cryobank sperm donors
Qualification process
Organizations and friends of California Cryobank
Here are just a few of the organizations we partner with, or we know have been invaluable to our families. Want others to benefit from a resource you don’t see listed here? Please let us know so we can spread the word.
American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)The Center for Male Reproductive MedicineFertility RescriptedInternational Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID)PregnantishResolve: The National Infertility AssociationThe Ribbon BoxMosie Baby
Glossary
Andrology
ART
(Assisted reproductive technology) Any fertility-related treatments in which eggs or embryos are manipulated (IVF, ICSI, PGT testing, etc.). Procedures where only sperm are manipulated, such as intrauterine inseminations, are not considered under this definition. Additionally, procedures in which ovarian stimulation is performed without a plan for egg retrieval are also excluded from the definition.
ASRM
(American Society for Reproductive Medicine) A nonprofit, multidisciplinary organization for advancement of the science and practice of reproductive medicine.
Blastocyst
Embryo
A fertilized egg from the time that it has completed the cell division of the pre-embryonic stage (at about day 14) to the beginning of the third month of pregnancy.
Embryo transfer
A step in the process of assisted reproduction in which the embryo(s) is placed into the uterus with the intent to establish a pregnancy.
Fallopian tubes
A pair of tubes attached to the uterus, one on each side, which lead upward to the ovaries. They allow an ovulated egg to travel down the fallopian tube toward the uterus.
Gamete
Reproductive cells (sperm or ovum) that can unite with each other to form a cell or zygote (see zygote).
Zygote
The cell resulting from the union of egg and sperm; the earliest stage of an embryo as it begins to develop.
AATB
(American Association of Tissue Banks) A national association that provides guidelines for and accredits tissue banks, including reproductive tissue banks. Membership is voluntary.
Artificial insemination
A procedure involving the placement of semen within the reproductive tract of a recipient without sexual intercourse.
At-home insemination
A form of artificial insemination where sperm is made available for the recipient’s use at home, usually with the help of the recipient’s partner, midwife or nurse practitioner.
Cryopreservation
A process that involves freezing biological material, such as cells, tissues, or organs, to preserve them for extended periods of time. Eggs, sperm, or embryos are frozen at a very low temperature (-196 degrees C). Often the gametes or embryos are placed in a cryoprotectant to ensure they are not damaged by the freezing process.
Donor-conceived person
An individual who has been conceived with the help of either (or both) donor sperm or donor egg.
Frozen embryo transfer
Semen analysis
A test performed on ejaculated semen to evaluate the parameters of a normal ejaculate, including sperm count and motility, and other factors.
Sperm donor
An individual who donates their sperm for use in artificial insemination.
Sperm washing
A laboratory procedure that separates sperm from semen (or seminal plasma), the fluid part of ejaculate. The resulting sample has a higher concentration of sperm compared to a “fresh” semen specimen, and often has added media to prepare it for cryopreservation. It's used to prepare sperm for procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
ICI
(Intracervical insemination) An artificial insemination method in which sperm is inserted into the cervix (the pathway to the uterus).
IUI
(Intrauterine insemination) An artificial insemination process in which the washed sperm is inserted into the uterus.
ICSI
(Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) A technique used with IVF that involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg to induce fertilization.
IVF
(In vitro fertilization) The process in which an egg and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish where fertilization occurs. The resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus.
Anonymous donor
An anonymous donor chooses to stay confidential. However, once a donor-conceived individual turns 18 and decides to try to learn more about them, we can help try to make that connection. Since 2016, all new California Cryobank donors are required to be ID disclosure donors at minimum.
ID disclosure donor
Open donor
Selected donors who state their intent, at the beginning of their participation in the program, to respond to a request for contact from donor-conceived individuals once they reach 18.
Sperm donation
AATB
(American Association of Tissue Banks) A national association that provides guidelines for and accredits tissue banks, including reproductive tissue banks. Membership is voluntary.
Artificial insemination
A procedure involving the placement of semen within the reproductive tract of a recipient without sexual intercourse.
At-home insemination
A form of artificial insemination where sperm is made available for the recipient’s use at home, usually with the help of the recipient’s partner, midwife or nurse practitioner.
Cryopreservation
A process that involves freezing biological material, such as cells, tissues, or organs, to preserve them for extended periods of time. Eggs, sperm, or embryos are frozen at a very low temperature (-196 degrees C). Often the gametes or embryos are placed in a cryoprotectant to ensure they are not damaged by the freezing process.
Donor-conceived person
An individual who has been conceived with the help of either (or both) donor sperm or donor egg.
Frozen embryo transfer
Semen analysis
A test performed on ejaculated semen to evaluate the parameters of a normal ejaculate, including sperm count and motility, and other factors.
Sperm donor
An individual who donates their sperm for use in artificial insemination.
Sperm washing
A laboratory procedure that separates sperm from semen (or seminal plasma), the fluid part of ejaculate. The resulting sample has a higher concentration of sperm compared to a “fresh” semen specimen, and often has added media to prepare it for cryopreservation. It's used to prepare sperm for procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Insemination methods
ICI
(Intracervical insemination) An artificial insemination method in which sperm is inserted into the cervix (the pathway to the uterus).
IUI
(Intrauterine insemination) An artificial insemination process in which the washed sperm is inserted into the uterus.
ICSI
(Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) A technique used with IVF that involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg to induce fertilization.
IVF
(In vitro fertilization) The process in which an egg and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish where fertilization occurs. The resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus.
Donor types
Anonymous donor
An anonymous donor chooses to stay confidential. However, once a donor-conceived individual turns 18 and decides to try to learn more about them, we can help try to make that connection. Since 2016, all new California Cryobank donors are required to be ID disclosure donors at minimum.
ID disclosure donor
Open donor
Selected donors who state their intent, at the beginning of their participation in the program, to respond to a request for contact from donor-conceived individuals once they reach 18.
Still have questions?
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Discover more resources
Check out our valuable resources to help you learn more about using donor sperm for your family building.