FIVE NEW volunteers have agreed to donate sperm to help childless couples seeking help at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, writes Marjory Inglis, health reporter.

But Anne McConnell of the assisted conception unit said their recruitment has not ended the sperm donor crisis and the unit would welcome more volunteers.

Regulations governing sperm donation limit each donor to assisting in 10 pregnancies, meaning the new recruits have the potential to help no more than 50 women on a growing list of childless couples.

Fertility clinics across the country have had difficulty recruiting donors since the Government removed their anonymity last year.

Donors now face the prospect of children reaching 18 and seeking out their biological fathers.

The dearth of donors has led to lengthening queues of childless couples.

Some people on the Ninewells list have been waiting for two years.

Mrs McConnell said publicity about the crisis led to the five men volunteering in the last three months.

Before that, none was recruited for two years.

Mrs McConnell said samples are “kept in quarantine” for six months before they can be used.

Donors are screened for diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV and the all-clear must be awaited.

Donors are paid expenses only and anyone interested in volunteering should be aged between 18 and 45 and in good health.