ONLY one man is left as a sperm donor in three counties, including Oxfordshire, after a change in fertility laws and couples are now looking abroad for help.

Consultant gynaecologist Dr Tim Childs, of the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, has warned that since donors lost their right to anonymity last year there has been a chronic shortage.

Although about 130 couples out of 400 being treated for fertility problems in Oxford have problems related to the man, only one donor is available and his sperm can only be used to conceive ten children.

Instead of waiting, many couples are paying clinics in America up to £280 a donation to help them start a family.

Dr Childs said: "We have sperm available from one donor not just for the whole of Oxfordshire, but for Buckinghamshire and Berkshire too.

"It's been an increasing problem over the last few years, first because there were some concerns that the law was going to change, and then when the law actually changed last year that definitely put a lot of men off.

"We used to buy sperm from other UK clinics, but they've stopped supplying it or have increased their prices because of the shortages."

Since April 2005, UK sperm donors have had to waive their right to anonymity, and children conceived with their sperm can find out who their biological fathers are once they reach 18. A second ruling means donors who used to be paid for every visit are now only entitled to travel expenses and loss of earnings up to £250 discouraging many from helping.

Dr Childs said: "Medical students used to be the classic donors, but now it's usually men who've had their own children and want to help others because they know how lucky they've been themselves.

"It used to add up for students to donate, because they got £20 a visit. But now, if they cycle to the hospital, they don't get anything."

Although American men also have to waive their anonymity and provide in-depth information about themselves, they are paid to donate.

Dr Child said: "Couples can either wait for a UK clinic to sell some sperm or go abroad. There's not much of a huge difference in the price and the amount of information you get on the American donors is hugely different.

"We've dealt with a few clinics over there and the service they offer has been good."

One in seven couples experiences fertility problems, and the problem in one third of those is due to the man's sperm.

Dr Childs said: "Very often it's thought the woman is distressed, but although men may not show it they also have a need for a family, even if they're not as open about it. They find it devastating when they're keen to have a family and find out there's a problem on their side.

"Sperm donation is a gift of life, and being a donor helps so many couples. They have the potential to help ten families. They can offer assistance to people who will be thankful to them for the rest of their lives."