'The Sperminator' banned from donating in Israel

Ari Nagel is a father of 33. Photo / Facebook

Serial sperm donor Ari Nagel, an American who has fathered 33 children and 10 more on the way, has been banned from donating his sperm in Israel, where he first fathered a child using artificial insemination.

Nagel told AP that he was recently told at a clinic that the Health Ministry had banned the use of his sperm.

Nagel, nicknamed "The Sperminator" by some media outlets, is well known for his frequent donations.

Israel's Health Ministry said according to law, a woman can only use a sperm donor if done anonymously, and there is a limit to the number of donations donors can make.

Several women had approached clinics asking for donations from Nagel, which "goes against the laws and regulations on the issue".

Nagel said that he never received direct communication from the ministry, but was told after trying to donate in December, that he could be arrested if he did not stop.

He has flown to Israel three times in the past year to donate.

"The Ministry of Health is saying, well how can you be a father to all these children, well you know, I'm not a father to all these children," Nagel said.

"Obviously I can't be a full-time dad to all of them."

Nagel says he often meets some of his biological children and their parents for group playdates, and emphasises how important it is that they know their biological siblings.

His Jewish Orthodox family is ashamed of what he does, according to Nagel, and would prefer that he "settle down and have a traditional marriage".

But Nagel says its "impossible" to be in a relationship while trying to help other women conceive, and he doesn't plan to stop any time soon.

"My heart does tell me to continue. I know and feel that I'm doing the right thing. If what I was doing was wrong, it wouldn't feel so right," Nagel said.

-AP