The founder of the messaging platform Telegram, Pavel Durov, has ignited global debate after revealing that he has fathered more than 100 biological children through sperm donation and is now considering expanding the initiative to help tackle infertility worldwide.

Durov made the disclosure in a recent statement according to Wall Street Journal, recounting how his journey into sperm donation began nearly 15 years ago. According to him, a close friend had approached him and requested that he donate sperm to help him and his wife conceive, due to fertility challenges.

Initially amused by what he described as an unusual request, Durov said he later realised the seriousness of the situation and agreed to help. That decision, he noted, led him to a sperm clinic, where he was encouraged by medical professionals to continue donating.

He quoted a clinic official as telling him that “high-quality donor material” was in short supply, adding that it was almost a civic duty for healthy individuals to contribute in order to assist couples struggling with infertility.

Durov said he subsequently became a regular donor, a decision that has had far-reaching consequences.

“Fast forward to 2024, my past donating activity has helped over a hundred couples in 12 countries to have kids,” he stated, adding that even years after he stopped donating, at least one in vitro fertilisation clinic still retains his frozen sperm for anonymous use.

The tech entrepreneur further disclosed plans to make his genetic information publicly accessible, in what he described as an effort to help his biological children connect with one another in the future.

“I plan to open-source my DNA so that my biological children can find each other more easily,” he said, acknowledging that the move carries certain risks but insisting he has no regrets about his actions.

Durov also used the opportunity to highlight what he described as a growing global shortage of healthy sperm donors, warning that the issue is becoming increasingly serious.

“The shortage of healthy sperm has become an increasingly serious issue worldwide, and I’m proud that I did my part to help alleviate it,” he said.

He called for greater awareness around sperm donation and urged more healthy men to consider participating, suggesting that doing so would expand options for families facing fertility challenges.