Sperm Bank Market

Market Overview

The global sperm bank market size was valued at USD 3,015.8 million in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 4,268.02 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.45% during the forecast period (2022-2030). 

Sperm banks are specialist organizations in charge of gathering and keeping the donated sperm from known or unknown donors for use in reproductive treatments to induce conception. These banks significantly contribute to the availability of various treatments for infertile couples. Sperm banks provide various services, such as sperm storage, infant sex selection, donor selection, and advice during the donor selection process. These benefits of sperm banks, therefore, significantly speed up the use of their services in the near future. However, contentious concerns surrounding national gamete donation laws, the LGBTQ community, and the sociocultural characteristics of different nations have imposed stricter restrictions on access to sperm banks.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Infertility Cases

Increased male and female infertility rates are the main drivers of the sperm bank market growth globally. Infertility is now a more prevalent issue for both men and women. As a result, more people are projected to need infertility treatments, including donor insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Infertility is a serious problem that affects both the individual and society in significant ways regarding socioeconomics and health. One in four couples in underdeveloped nations experiences infertility, according to World Health Organization (WHO) research.

Additionally, stress, which can result in low sperm counts in men and infertility in women, increased alcohol consumption, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity are all rising. As a result, the market for sperm banks is expanding due to the rise in both male and female infertility and the demand for various infertility therapies.

Initiatives by Governmental to Assist Sperm Banks

Another significant aspect that encourages the expansion of the sperm bank sector is the initiative taken by the government to promote sperm banks. The "Singapore government" covers about 75% of the cost of a number of "Assisted Reproductive Technology" (ART) procedures, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro fertilization, and gamete intrafallopian transfer. In order to regulate clinics offering services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination, and surrogacy, the Union Cabinet passed the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Regulation Bill in 2020.

The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation Family Building Grant, INCIID IVF Scholarship, and SAMFund (Surviving and Moving Forward) Grants, as well as NHS-funded fertility treatment in the UK, provides financial support for patients undergoing fertility treatment due to the high cost of procedures like IVF, gestational surrogacy, egg and sperm donation, egg and sperm freezing and embryo donation. Therefore, the expansion of the market of sperm bank over the projection period is driven by an increase in government efforts and benevolent foundations.

Increased Acceptability of Sperm Banks Worldwide

The population is becoming more aware of sperm banks, especially in middle-income nations. Many societies are now tolerating single-parent and same-sex families, which supports the market growth for sperm banks. The broad acceptance of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community is one of the variables influencing sperm donations throughout nations. Increased public knowledge of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), as well as sperm cryopreservation technologies, boost the market's growth. Additionally, the major factor driving the expansion of the global market of sperm bank is the rise in miscarriage rates.

Market Restraint

High Treatment Costs and Low Success Rates

The main factors limiting market expansion are the expensive nature and low success rate of these treatments. IVF therapy costs between USD 10,000 and USD 13,000 for one cycle and requires highly qualified professionals to operate, which drives up the treatment cost. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles typically cost between USD 300 and USD 800 per attempt and USD 700 to USD 1000 per sperm vial. The success rate of IUI can also be affected by several other factors. These include advanced age, a diagnosis of underlying infertility, the usage of fertility drugs, and other underlying fertility issues.

Pregnancy rates per donor semen insemination cycle range from 6.4% to 16.5%, and the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by age is between 34% and 42%, according to research that has been published in Elsevier. Therefore, it is anticipated that the poor success rate of these therapies and their high cost will limit the growth of the global sperm bank market share.

Market Opportunities

Sperm Bank Industry Development and Evolution of Technology

Increased scientific research and development in the sperm bank industry, along with innovations and improvements in intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology, are anticipated to drive the growth of the sperm bank market during the forecast period. Technology breakthroughs like automation and artificial intelligence (AI) enable monitoring hormone levels and other health indicators while undergoing reproductive treatment. The PreBaby Monitor, a tank-focused tool that is cordless and accessible for clients from anywhere with Wi-Fi connectivity, was created by the Columbia University Fertility Center in 2019. Using this online application, users may monitor the temperature of the cryogenic tanks where their eggs or frozen embryos are kept in real time.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

The global sperm bank market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global market of sperm bank and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.10% during the forecast period. The significant increase in gamete (egg and sperm) contributions over the past 20 years are primarily responsible for the increasing rate. Due to couples' inability to produce healthy gametes and the rise in same-sex marriages, gamete donation has seen a considerable surge in the area. Furthermore, sperm donation has significantly increased in Asia-Pacific due to increased financial rewards and compensation for donors. Similarly, a significant reason driving the increase in demand for sperm donations and, ultimately, sperm banks is the growth in infertility rates.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.60%, generating USD 1,337.23 million during the forecast period. Due to the recent fall in birth rates in European nations, the market of sperm bank is anticipated to expand rapidly during the forecast period. According to projections by Eurostat, a European statistics agency, the rest of Europe's population will continue to decline due to falling birth rates until at least 2050, except for France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Norway. Some key factors promoting fertility tourism and services in the area are a supportive legislative environment and affordable treatments. For instance, 40% of all fertility tourism in Europe occurs in Spain, one of the most popular destinations.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico are the three major North American nations for the regional market. In 2019, the United States market of sperm banks was ranked third in revenue in the North American market. This is mainly attributable to the broad commercialization of reproductive treatments and the increasing rates of male infertility in the United States. For instance, male infertility is responsible for approximately 20% of all cases of infertility in the area, as reported by the American Association of Pregnancy. This is primarily attributed to lifestyle choices, including using illegal drugs, being around harmful materials and substances, smoking more frequently, drinking more, and having more hereditary problems on the rise.

Due to the lower acceptance of fertility treatments and insufficient access to sperm banking services, the market sperm bank in LAMEA is anticipated to grow more slowly. Similarly, the market's expansion is constrained by strict restrictions and ethical concerns around infertility treatments in various Middle Eastern nations. Similar factors that limit the expansion of the sperm bank business in developing African nations include a lack of financial resources, low income, a lack of knowledge about fertility procedures, inadequate healthcare coverage, and a shortage of educated healthcare personnel.

Segmental Analysis

The global sperm bank market is segmented by service type and by donor type.

Based on service type, the global market is bifurcated into sperm storage, semen analysis, and genetic consultation.

The sperm storage segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.00% during the forecast period. Sperm storage is the long-term preservation of mature, viable spermatozoa after spermatogenesis but before ejaculation. The period between sperm production and sperm transmission is referred to as sperm storage. Short-term (a few hours or days) to long-term (a few weeks or months) sperm preservations are possible. In order to maintain sperm fertility and prevent the natural decline in motility and fertilization, long-term sperm preservation is expected to require specialized methods, such as freezing sperm and storing them at "ultra-cold" temperatures, such as -196^oC, using liquid nitrogen.

Semen analysis looks at specific sperm and semen properties in males. It is carried out to assist in assessing male fertility, whether for people looking to become pregnant or verify a successful vasectomy. Semen's physical qualities (color, odor, pH, viscosity, and liquefaction), volume, concentration, morphology, sperm motility, and progression should all be included in a standard semen assay. Additionally, to standardize manual semen analysis, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems have been created. These systems automate sperm analysis using flow cytometry to evaluate cell counts and a novel membrane-permeant nucleic acid dye to evaluate sperm viability.

Based on donor type, the global market is bifurcated into known donors and anonymous donors.

The known donor segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.90% during the forecast period. A person who donates sperm for assisted reproductive methods like IUI or IVF familiar to the person or couple trying to produce a child is also referred to as a directed donor. Before using a known donor, many accredited fertility clinics need you to sign a known donor agreement. The procedure for gathering and using the sperm, eggs, or embryos in fertility treatment is the same whether the donors are known or anonymous, save that they come from a known individual. Due to variables, including changes in the legislative environment that mandate children have the legal right to enquire about their biological parents, this category will rise more during the forecasted period.

An anonymous donor is a male who donates sperm for IUI or IVF with his name hidden from the recipient. The most frequent donors are those who don't identify themselves because research shows that this encourages giving. It is possible that patients could find information about the donor even if they receive treatment anonymously. Due to considerations including less complicated procedures for anonymous donors than known donors, fewer legal concerns with anonymous sperm donors, and protection of non-biological parents' rights because the donor stays secret, this market will develop over the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• March 2021- Cryos researchers examined if semen could transfer SARS-CoV-2 to a partner. The study showed that semen couldn’t spread disease. Cryos International Sperm and Egg Bank studied semen from 32-year-old men. Men with COVID-19 had their ejaculates PCR-tested 1 to 28 days after diagnosis. The first positive COVID-19 PCR test and ejaculate analysis were separated by six days.