An expert in foetal medicine who fathered 49 children through private sperm donations has been arrested over allegations of sexual assault.

Three women in their 20s told police that Professor Gennadij Raivich assaulted them after promising to help them become mothers.

Mr Raivich, an academic at University College London was questioned by police about the alleged incidents in two countries.

The alleged assaults are said to have happened between November 2012 and Febuary 2013.

The medic has been bailed and is due to return in early June.

One of the women is believed to be pregnant with Mr Raivich’s child.

Mr Raivich studies the weeks immediately before and after birth in his work on maternal and foetal medicine.

He works and teaches in the university’s Institute for Women’s Health.

Mr Raivich said he has fathered 49 children by private sperm donations despite the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority setting 10 families as its recommended limit.

Using a pseudonym, he met his recipients through unlicensed donor websites.

The Professor said he loves children and gets satisfaction from helping women with fertility issues.

He told the Sunday Mirror: ‘I am most proud of the donation I made to a woman who had spent £5,000 through an official clinic. It failed so she came to me and I helped her get pregnant for free.’

‘The first couple I helped were lesbians who were desperate for a baby and I helped them get pregnant on their first cycle. they were delighted and I shared their joy.’

A university spokesperson said: ‘UCL is aware that a member of staff has been arrested. We understand this does not concern allegations surrounding the staff member’s employment.’

Read more: Mail Online