Sperm bank

A sperm bank, semen bank, or cryobank is a facility that purchases, stores, and sells human semen. The semen is produced and sold by men who are known as sperm donors. The sperm is purchased by other persons for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy other than by a sexual partner. Sperm sold by a sperm donor is known as donor sperm.

A sperm bank may be a separate entity supplying donor sperm to individuals or to fertility clinics, or it may be a facility which is run by a clinic for their customers.

A pregnancy may be achieved using donor sperm for insemination with similar outcomes to sexual intercourse. By using sperm from a donor rather than from the sperm recipient's partner, the process is a form of third party reproduction. In the 21st century artificial insemination with donor sperm from a sperm bank is most commonly used for individuals with no male partner, such as single women and coupled lesbians.

A sperm donor must generally meet specific requirements regarding age and screening for adverse medical history. In the United States, sperm banks are regulated as Human Cell and Tissue or Cell and Tissue Bank Product (HCT/Ps) establishments by the Food and Drug Administration. Many states in the U.S. also have regulations in addition to those imposed by the FDA. In the European Union a sperm bank must have a license, according to the EU Tissue Directive. In the United Kingdom, sperm banks are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.