Authors' objectives: The questions addressed by the standing committee in this advisory report are as follows: • At the present time, are there any medical reasons for modifying the 1992 guideline of a maximum number of twenty-five children per donor? • At the present time, are there any other reasons for modifying the guideline? • What is the recommended maximum number of children per donor? • What recommendations can be made to further reduce the risk of medical and psychosocial problems in donor children themselves and in any offspring that they might have?

Authors' recommendations: In 1992, the maximum number of children per sperm donor was set at twentyfive, based on medical criteria. This was based on the criterion that the offspring of donor children should not be at greater risk of hereditary disorders than others in the general population due to the fact that their parents were blood relatives (unbeknownst to them). The standing committee concludes that it is not feasible to come to a decision about modifying the current maximum number of twenty-five children per donor based on quantifiable medical criteria for the current situation. The available data are outdated and limited, so it is not possible to reliably calculate the risk of consanguineous relationships between donor children. Moreover, this risk has become irrelevant to the determination of a maximum number, primarily due the end of anonymous donation.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.gr.nl/sites/default/files/The_maximum_number_of_children_per_sperm.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Netherlands

Organisation Name: Health Council of the Netherlands Gezondheidsraad

Contact Address: Postbus 16052, 2500 BB Den Haag, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 70 340 7520;Fax: +31 70 340 7523

Contact Name: info@gr.nl

Contact Email: info@gr.nl

Copyright: Health Council of the Netherlands