The Leader in Sperm Donor Screening

Pacific Reproductive Services provides the most advanced genetic testing in the sperm-banking field. As a result, less than 1 in 100 donor candidates are accepted into our donor program. We are always in the forefront of utilizing important testing advances as they become available.

Donor screening & testing protocols

History & Physical Examination: An in-person, detailed personal and four-generation family medical and social history review is conducted with donor candidates by medical staff members to identify any known risk factors for infectious diseases or genetic conditions. Those with no known genetic or infectious disease risks then undergo a thorough physical examination to look for any physical evidence of such diseases.

Current laboratory testing

Sperm Quality Analyses: Every donor candidate undergoes multiple sperm quality analyses. Only candidates whose sperm meet our rigorous standards may continue with the screening process.

Genetic testing as of 2009

(For donor genetic testing prior to 2009, refer to the individual donor short profile at www.pacrepro.com.)

All Donors:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) for inheritable cardiac disease (PRS is the only sperm bank that tests for this condition.)
• Cystic Fibrosis (testing for 97 mutations)
• Hemoglobin fractionation for Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease and other blood abnormalities
• Chromosome analysis
• Fragile X Syndrome, the leading cause of inheritable mental retardation
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy, an often fatal neurological disease

Targeted genetic testing as of 2009

(For targeted genetic testing prior to 2009, refer to the individual donor short profile at www.pacrepro.com.)

• Donors of Jewish ancestry: Tay Sachs, Canavan Disease, Familial Dysautonomia, 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 Irish, French Canadian or Cajun ancestry: Tay Sachs

Infectious diseases

• HIV 1 & 2
• HTLV- I and II
• Cytomegalovirus
• Chlamydia
• Hepatitis B & C
• Syphilis
• Gonorrhea
• Nucleic acid testing for HIV 1 and Hepatitis B and C viruses

General health tests:

• Blood group and RH factor
• Cholesterol, total
• Complete blood count
• Urinalysis for protein and glucose

Repeat assessments

• Infectious disease testing is repeated every 3 months and the history and physical examinations are performed every 6 months during the time the donor is making deposits.
• All frozen donor semen is quarantined for a period of six (6) months, at which time the donor is retested to confirm he is free of HIV and other infectious diseases before his specimens are released.