title: Feasibility of an altruistic sperm donation program in Canada: results from a population-based model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stringent donor-screening criteria and legislation prohibiting payment for donor gametes have contributed to the radical decline of donor insemination (DI) using sperm provided by Canadian men. Thus, many individuals rely on imported sperm. This paper examines the feasibility of an altruistic sperm donation (ASD) program to meet the needs of Canadians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Canadian census data, published literature and expert opinions, two population-based, top-down mathematical models were developed to estimate the supply and demand for donor sperm and the feasibility of an ASD program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was estimated that 63 donors would pass Canadian screening criteria, which would provide 1,575 donations. The demand for DI by women was 7,866 samples (4,319 same sex couples, 1,287 single women and 2,260 heterosexual couples).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considerable effort would be necessary to create the required increase in awareness of the program and change in societal behaviour towards sperm donation for an ASD program to be feasible in Canada.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4 K1. oreilld@mcmaster.ca.|Programs for Assessment of Technology in Health (PATH) Research Institute, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8P 1H1. oreilld@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4 K1.|Programs for Assessment of Technology in Health (PATH) Research Institute, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8P 1H1.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.affiliation: Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative, Leslie Dan Pharmacy Building, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 3 M2.
authors.forename: Kuhan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Perampaladas
authors.affiliation: Masters of Science student of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 3 K7.
authors.forename: Riaz
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4 K1.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8N 3Z5.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D002170:Canada; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D013094:Spermatozoa; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Altruistic sperm donation; Artificial insemination; Models; Reproductive techniques; Spermatozoa