Man who donated sperm for 'research' finds out he's fathered eight children

A new report released by the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (aka VARTA) reveals how a man discovered he had fathered eight children, after donating sperm for "research".

The man donated a number of samples over a six-month period only to discover 20 years later, they had been used to father kids.

The information came to light after lost files were found from the 1970s, before the days of fertility industry regulations, which came into effect in 1988.

The man had donated to Melbourne's Prince Henry's Hospital fertility treatment program in 1987.

It's understood the historic donor didn't think of his donations until seeing a newspaper ad in 2007, "asking men who had donated to get in contact (with VARTA)".

When being interviewed as a case study in the report, the un-named donor told researchers he was "absolutely" under the impression his sperm had been used for research purposes only, not conception.

LISTEN: Honey mums talk about single parent guilt. (Post continues)

It's thought another man who donated to Prince Henry's Hospital - which was demolished in 1994 - has fathered five children after making donations in 1986.

It's believe the donors have been made aware of the facts but it's not know if their offspring all know.