A retired NHS scientist has sensationally revealed that IVF pioneer Patrick Steptoe, whose work led to the world's first test tube baby, used sperm from 'lots' of medical staff without keeping records of the children they fathered.
Roy Hollihead, who ran a pathology lab at the hospital where Dr Steptoe had a fertility clinic in the early 70s, made the shock admission after learning his semen impregnated at least four women.
Two of the resulting babies, David Gertler and Roz Snyder, only discovered he was their biological father after buying DNA tests - David to explore his Hungarian heritage and Roz as a birthday present for one of her sons - which revealed a link between them.
The pair said they believed their mothers were impregnated with the donor sperm without their knowledge or consent, in the early 1970s.
At the time, Dr Steptoe was pioneering a technique to improve the chances of natural conception.
Both Jewish and now in their 50s, they were friends as teenagers in Manchester and incredibly even went on double dates together - though fortunately they never dated each other.
Ms Snyder contacted Mr Hollihead, now 84, after the DNA test found he was 'either her father or son' and Mr Gertler and another man were her half-brothers.
He replied saying he worked at a lab upstairs from Oldham Hospital's gynaecological outpatients department, working closely with the legendary fertility consultant.
IVF pioneer Patrick Steptoe, whose work led to the world's first test tube baby, used sperm from 'lots' of medical staff without keeping records of the children they fathered, a former colleague has divulged
Dr Steptoe was considered a pioneer in IVF and helping to improve the chances of natural conception.
'I used to work with Dr Steptoe up to and after the birth of Louise Brown [the] first test tube baby,' he wrote.
'He arranged clinics on Saturday privately, I think to help with fertility. He organised a liquid nitrogen sperm bank which was kept in the laboratory.
'He used sperm from lab staff, medical students and doctors - only once each I think!'
Mr Hollihead added: 'No records of any [babies] were kept. Not necessary in those days! If your mother attended there then this is possible.'
Ms Snyder asked whether he was shocked to hear from her, adding: 'Did you half expect it to happen?
'I'm sure Dr Steptoe used your sperm without my parents' knowledge, which is totally incomprehensible and very upsetting.'
Mr Hollihead replied: 'I certainly never thought of the consequences. Lots of young men [provided] samples for his use.'
He also suggested Dr Steptoe mixed client and donor sperm to see what would happen.
The world's first 'test tube' baby, Louise Brown, was conceived in Dr Steptoe's clinic in 1978
According to The Daily Telegraph, medical historians have found no official records of the IVF clinic at Oldham Hospital in Rochdale.
And the NHS Trust which now runs the hospital has been unable to locate any notes linked to the work of Dr Steptoe, who died in 1988.
Dr Steptoe pioneered in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the world's first 'test tube' baby, Louise Brown, was conceived in his Oldham clinic in 1978.
It was a historic first that won a Nobel prize and was recently dramatised in the Netflix movie Joy, starring Bill Nighy as the fertility expert.
Mrs Snyder, 52, was raised by her father Eddie Kravitz after her mother Doreen died of cancer when she was only 12, and said the discovery of her true biological father was shocking.
She said: 'I couldn't speak. It was a shock. My dad is still my dad, but now I know it's all a lie.'
Mrs Snyder told The Daily Telegraph that Dr Steptoe's work on IVF was 'amazing', but she added: 'If he hadn't done what he had done I wouldn't be here, my children wouldn't be here.'
'But it's how he got there is wrong and the seeming dishonesty surrounding it all.'
Steptoe's work in IVF won a Nobel prize and was recently dramatised in the Netflix movie Joy, starring Bill Nighy as the fertility expert
Mr Gertler, 51, said he believed his parents were 'never told' the truth about his conception.
Dr Steptoe died in 1988, shortly before he was to be made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his work.