China's first human sperm bank, in central China's Hunan Province, started a new service this week to help men aged 25-45 to deposit sperm for later use.

The sperm bank, in Xiangya Medical College of Zhongnan University, is among the first batch to open such a service to the public.

Lu Guangxiu, founder of the sperm bank, said the new service aims to ease reproductive concerns caused by worsening male reproductive health, such as aspermia and deteriorating sperm quality, that have become a noticeable problem in China.

"Many people, in their peak reproductive period, have to delay the process for various reasons. But when they want to have a baby, they found they have lost the ability to do so."

Lu blamed environmental pollution, and factors such as illness, and accidental injuries.

As one of the most freeze-durable cells, sperm could maintain its activity for 10 to 20 years of freezing.

Founded in 1981, Lu's sperm bank now has the capacity to freeze 50,000 tubes of sperm and has frozen more than 10,000 tubes. More than 6,600 tubes of sperm have been used in artificial fertilization.

Lu did not disclose the price for the service, but said a price had been set pending the approval of the local price administration department.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2004)