Receiving Donations

Receiving Donor Sperm, Donor Eggs and Donor Embryos

For some individuals and couples, using donated sperm, eggs or embryos can provide an opportunity to build a family when treatment with their own gametes is not possible or has not been successful.

At Hull & East Riding Fertility, we offer treatment using donor sperm, donor eggs and donor embryos. Our team will guide you through each stage of the process, including counselling requirements, donor selection, treatment planning and any legal implications associated with donation treatment.

Who May Benefit from Donated Gametes or Embryos?

Treatment using donor sperm, donor eggs or donor embryos may be appropriate for:

• Individuals with infertility that cannot be treated using their own sperm or eggs.
• Single women wishing to conceive.
• Female same-sex couples.
• Individuals or couples with a significant risk of passing on an inherited genetic condition.
• Patients who have undergone medical treatment affecting fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
• Patients who have experienced repeated unsuccessful fertility treatment.

Every patient is unique, and your fertility specialist will discuss the treatment options most suitable for your circumstances.

Donor Sperm

Donor sperm may be used as part of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

Patients may access donor sperm through approved UK or international sperm banks. Donor sperm must be supplied by a clinic or sperm bank licensed and regulated according to the requirements of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and relevant national regulations.

Prior to treatment, patients will receive information about donor selection, donor information available to recipients and any legal considerations associated with donor conception.

Donor Eggs

Donor egg treatment involves fertilising eggs donated by another woman with sperm from a partner or donor. The resulting embryo(s) are then transferred to the recipient’s uterus as part of an IVF treatment cycle.

Egg donation may be considered when:

• Ovarian reserve is significantly reduced.
• Premature ovarian insufficiency has occurred.
• Previous IVF treatment has been unsuccessful due to poor egg quality.
• There is a risk of passing on a serious inherited condition.
• Previous medical treatment has affected ovarian function.

Donor eggs may be sourced from altruistic donors, egg-sharing programmes or licensed donor banks, subject to availability and regulatory requirements. Hull and East Riding Fertility have their own donor egg bank and egg sharing scheme, suitable for NHS funded patients. However, there can be a significant waiting list for donor eggs sourced this way and the recipient coordinator will discuss the current waiting time with you.

Alternatively donor eggs can be sourced on a private basis using our partner clinic, London Egg Bank (LEB) The UK’s Leading Egg Bank – London Egg Bank. Our external donor egg coordinator will discuss the process with you in detail prior to reaching a decision on your donor.

Donor Embryos

Donor embryo treatment involves transferring an embryo that has been donated by another individual or couple who have completed their own family and chosen to donate their remaining embryos for use in fertility treatment.

Donor embryos may be an option for patients who require both donor eggs and donor sperm, or for those seeking an alternative route to parenthood.

As with all donation treatments, recipients will receive counselling and information regarding the implications of treatment before proceeding.

Hull and East Riding Fertility are in partnership with KIN donor bank, a UK based embryo donor bank who offer patients greater choice on their donors Kin Donor Bank | Fertility Bank | London, UK.

Counselling and Implications Sessions

The HFEA requires that patients considering treatment using donated sperm, eggs or embryos are offered specialist fertility counselling.

These sessions provide an opportunity to discuss:

• The emotional aspects of donor conception.
• How and when donor-conceived children may be told about their origins.
• The information available about donors.
• Future contact and information rights for donor-conceived individuals.
• Legal parenthood and consent requirements.

Many patients find these sessions valuable in helping them make informed decisions about treatment.

Information About Donors

UK law allows donor-conceived individuals to access identifying information about their donor once they reach the age of 18.

Recipients will receive non-identifying information about their donor, which may include physical characteristics, occupation, interests and personal messages provided by the donor.

The amount and type of information available may vary depending on the donor source and the regulations governing the donor programme.

Legal Considerations

The legal implications of donation treatment vary according to individual circumstances and treatment type.

Before treatment begins, all patients will be required to complete the appropriate consent forms and discuss legal parenthood, donor status and any relevant regulatory requirements with the clinical team.

Our team will ensure you receive clear information and guidance throughout the process.

Further Information

If you are considering treatment using donor sperm, donor eggs or donor embryos, we encourage you to arrange a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. We will discuss your medical history, treatment options and the support available to help you make an informed decision that is right for you.

The HFEA offers useful information on the use of donated eggs, sperm and embryos. Using donated eggs, sperm or embryos in treatment | HFEA

Page Last Modified: 28th July 2026