University students had become major sperm donors in Shanghai, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of the city's donors, the Shanghai Daily reported.

The Shanghai Sperm Bank now has 20 to 30 donors a month, after giving lectures to students in five universities. Previously it had only five to six donors a month.

"We received more than 60 calls from potential donors today. Many are university students," Li Zheng, director of the Shanghai Sperm Bank, said Tuesday.

More than 300 students have contacted the Shanghai Sperm Bank about sperm donation.

"We can donate blood and stem cells, why not sperm," said a university student surnamed Zhang. "I am happy if my donation can help one family."

Medical experts said their lectures were not only to attract more donors, but also to provide sex education.

Li said the lectures were popular with students. "They asked many questions concerning safe sex and contraceptive methods," he said.

The bank at Renji Hospital was approved by the Ministry of Health in March 2003. The ministry will announce whether the sperm bank will be allowed to offer invitro fertilization (IVF) in two months.

If it receives the IVF license, demand for sperm could rise. But the facility's storage is limited. It has specimens from only 140 donors. "We estimate that 400 samples can meet the demand," Li said.

There were 300 couples on the waiting list for sperm and IVF, he said. About 10 percent of couples at childbearing age throughout the country are infertile.

(eastday.com  September 23, 2004)