Sperm Donor Screening

We Meet The Highest Quality Standards In Donor Screening

Pacific Reproductive Services (PRS) is rigorous in its donor screening and exceeds current standards as established by the leading national medical peer group organizations. We hold sperm bank licenses in California and New York. Our directors are members of the National Association of Tissue Banks, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society.

All donors are screened for health problems and fertility potential, as well as for absence of serious hereditary disorders and infectious diseases. We do not accept semen from men at risk for HIV or other infectious diseases or those with known environmental or genetic risk factors.

Each donor is required to have a complete physical examination and undergo an in-depth review of his medical history. Genetic screening includes a thorough review of the donor's family medical history over four generations. To assess sperm count and motility, a semen analysis and test freezing is done on at least three ejaculates before the donor is accepted.

All donors undergo the following testing protocols:

For Genetic Conditions:

• All donors are tested for Cystic Fibrosis
• As of December 2007, all new donors undergo chromosome analysis.
• As of April 2005, all new Middle Eastern, East Asian and Mediterranean donors, have a Hemoglobinopathy Profile to screen for Thalassemia trait.
• Donors of Jewish ancestry are screened for Tay Sachs, Canavan Disease, Familial Dysautonomia, and as of December 2007, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Gaucher Disease, Glycogen storage disease type 1a, Maple syrup urine disease, Mucolipidosis type iv, and Niemann-Pick disease type A.
• Donors of African descent have a Hemoglobin Solubility to screen for sickle cell anemia, and as of December 2007, a Hemoglobinopathy Profile to screen for Thalassemia trait.
• As of April 2005, French Canadian donors are screened for Tay Sachs.

General Health Tests:

• Cholesterol and liver function tests
• A complete blood count for anemia and other blood disorders
• Blood group and RH factor testing
• Urinalysis

Infectious disease screening is done initially and at regular repeated intervals for:

• HIV 1 & 2
• HTLV- I and II
• Syphilis
• Nucleic acid testing for HIV 1 and Hepatitis C virus
• Hepatitis B & C
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV - see below)
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea

All frozen donor semen is kept quarantined for at least six (6) months, at which time the donor is re-tested and found to be free of HIV and other infectious diseases before his specimens are released.

About Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus is a virus that is spreads through contact with infected secretions, and can cause mild flu-like symptoms that in healthy people, resolve without complications. Fifty(50%) to eighty-five(85%) of adults in the U.S. test positive for CMV antibodies, indicating a previous infection.

Although a CMV infection is not a serious matter for most people, sperm donors are tested for CMV because an infection of a fetus during pregnancy can cause serious problems

All PRS donors are tested for antibody to CMV to detect a possible current or past infection. If the antibody test (IgG) is negative, the donor is presumed not to have been previously infected and is re-tested at regular intervals. If positive, further testing is performed to rule out a current infection (IgM). All PRS donors are CMV IgM negative which indicates no current infection. Information regarding a donor's CMV antibody status is included on the donor's Short Profile. You can view any donor's Short Profile by clicking on the donor in our Donor Search.

While the risk of contracting CMV from a healthy donor who is antibody positive due to an old CMV exposure is considered extremely low, we do advise that you consult your medical provider to discuss the issues of CMV as they may apply to your specific situation.