Sperm banks are medical facilities that have the task of gathering and storing human sperm. The sperm is collected from donors, sometimes for a fee and sometimes free. The first two sperm banks in the world both opened in 1964, one in Iowa City, USA and the other in Tokyo Japan.
The sperm is then used for artificial insemination and other fertility treatments. Artificial insemination involves placing the sperm into the woman's ovarian follicle, uterus, cervix or fallopian tubes. Less enjoyable then copulation, it inserts the sperm using artificial means.

Artificial insemination is not a particularly difficult procedure and has long been used by women who for whatever reason are unable to become pregnant in the traditional way. It has become more controversial in recent years due to issues surrounding surrogate parenting. There are some disputes about even whether or not it is ethical to become pregnant without sexual intercourse.