Fertility treatment with a Known Donor implies that a woman or a couple finds the man who is going to be the(ir) sperm donor. It might be a friend who wants to help, or maybe you are two people who are not romantically involved but still wish to have a child together.
Cryos cooperates with selected Danish clinics on this and offers help on the Known Donor-process.
Here is how a known donation takes place
Upon a known donation, the ownership of the sperm is transferred from the Known Donor to the recipient (woman or couple), and the sperm sample will never be included in our standard donor programme. At Cryos we analyze, wash and freeze the sperm so that it is ready to be used for fertility treatment at the clinic. Additionally, we test the Known Donor for infectious diseases in accordance with the current legislation (the Danish Health Authority’s Guide nr. 9356 pkt. 8.1 of 26.05.2015).
Once the analysis and washing are done, the sperm is frozen and stored at Cryos for up to 6 months or until it is used for treatment. When it is time for the treatment you can request the shipping online – we will then make sure to send the sperm sample directly to the clinic where the treatment is going to take place. We will send the requested samples in a nitrogen tank, that keeps your sperm samples frozen and safe during the transportation. If you would like us to ship all your sperm samples at the same time, we recommend that the shipping is divided into two separate shipments on two different dates as a precautionary measure. If you do not want us to divide the shipment in two, you must send a written confirmation per email before shipment can take place.
Before a known donation can take place, the Known Donor must be screened for suitability and for infectious diseases. At Cryos we test the Known Donor for infectious diseases. If you would like to have the Known Donor tested for genetic diseases, an additional test can be purchased for a fee. Afterwards, the fertility clinic is responsible for assessing the Known donor’s suitability. It is also the fertility clinic that ultimately approves the Known Donor and the question of paternity/maternity will be discussed.
Before starting the Known Donor process, you should consider testing the sperm quality of your Known Donor, since it is important to know if the donor has a low sperm motility, because the quality can be of great importance when deciding the number of treatments and the chance of pregnancy.
Sperm sample and test for infectious diseases
The sperm sample is made at Cryos. We recommend that the Known Donor has been sexually abstinent for two days prior to the test, thereby securing the best possible sperm motility and quality.
The donor can donate up to 3 times within 7 days, and up to 3 sperm samples can be analyzed, washed and frozen. It is up to you whether you want to freeze 1, 2 or 3 sperm samples, as long as the Known Donor is tested for the required infectious diseases within 7 days after the first donation has been made (in accordance to the Danish Tissue Act (Vævsloven)).
Upon the last donation, the donor is again tested for infectious diseases through a urine sample and a blood sample. If the Known Donor has previously been infected with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other diseases, or if he is at risk of contracting one of them, it is a good idea to have the Known Donor tested for this in advance. In that way you can avoid having one or more frozen donations stored, which cannot be used.
Once the last sperm donation is done and the Known donor has been tested for infectious diseases, it may take 7-10 business days before we have the results of the tests. When the test results come back negative, we can send the donation(s) to the clinic.
We test for the following diseases:
The urine sample is tested for:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
The blood sample is tested for:
- HIV (anti-HIV ½, NAT (HIV))
- Hepatitis B (anti-HBc, HBsAg, NAT (HBV))
- Hepatitis C (anti-HCV, NAT (HCV))
- Syphilis
An additional test for genetic diseases can be purchased.
Price for using a Known Donor
When you choose to use a Known Donor, you purchase a “package” containing the following:
- 1, 2 or 3 prepared sperm sample(s)
- Sperm analysis
- Blood and Urine sample testing for infectious diseases (no later than 7 days after the first donation)
- Washing the sperm so that it is ready for IUI treatment (ICI if the clinic prefers this)
- Freezing of the sperm samples and storage at Cryos for up to 6 months
- Delivery of the sperm to your fertility clinic in a nitrogen tank (2 shipments included)
- Total price: DKK 10,730 / EUR 1,450 (incl. VAT).
- You can purchase an optional genetic test for DKK 5.000 (incl. VAT).
Process overview
1 Contact a fertility clinic
First, you must contact a fertility clinic and book an appointment for an initial interview about the treatment procedure using a Known Donor. Please be aware, that Cryos cooperates with selected Danish clinics on this. We also recommend having a sperm analysis done before starting the process. Read more about sperm analysis here.
2 The sperm donation at Cryos
The Known Donor books an appointment with Cryos for the first sperm donation. Upon the first donation, any additional donations are scheduled. The donor can donate up to 3 times within 7 days. Always remember to bring a passport/driver’s license. In combination with the last donation, urine and blood samples are collected.
1 Contact a fertility clinic
First, you must contact a fertility clinic and book an appointment for an initial interview about the treatment procedure using a Known Donor. Please be aware, that Cryos cooperates with selected Danish clinics on this. We also recommend having a sperm analysis done before starting the process. Read more about sperm analysis here.
2 The sperm donation at Cryos
The Known Donor books an appointment with Cryos for the first sperm donation. Upon the first donation, any additional donations are scheduled. The donor can donate up to 3 times within 7 days. Always remember to bring a passport/driver’s license. In combination with the last donation, urine and blood samples are collected.
3 Sperm analysis and washing
Cryos will analyze the sperm in order to determine the sperm motility and quality of the sperm cells in the sample. After that, the sperm is washed and prepared for fertility treatment. The results of the freezing and sperm analysis is sent electronically to the Known Donor, recipient and clinic so that they can make an appointment with the fertility clinic no later than the following day.
4 Final approval of the Known Donor
The recipient and the Known Donor meet at the fertility clinic to coordinate the further process. The clinic assesses the suitability of the Known Donor (performs clinical examination, cf. the danish tissue regulation (“Vævsbekendtgørelsen”) and the question of paternity/maternity will be discussed and agreed upon.
3 Sperm analysis and washing
Cryos will analyze the sperm in order to determine the sperm motility and quality of the sperm cells in the sample. After that, the sperm is washed and prepared for fertility treatment. The results of the freezing and sperm analysis is sent electronically to the Known Donor, recipient and clinic so that they can make an appointment with the fertility clinic no later than the following day.
4 Final approval of the Known Donor
The recipient and the Known Donor meet at the fertility clinic to coordinate the further process. The clinic assesses the suitability of the Known Donor (performs clinical examination, cf. the danish tissue regulation (“Vævsbekendtgørelsen”) and the question of paternity/maternity will be discussed and agreed upon.
5 Sperm storage at Cryos
The sperm samples are stored at Cryos for up to 6 months. If the storage duration is about to expire an email reminder is automatically sent. The storage can be renewed online.
The shipping of the sperm sample(s) to the fertility clinic must be requested online. The first two shipments are included in the price but more shipments can be arranged if needed.
5 Sperm storage at Cryos
The sperm samples are stored at Cryos for up to 6 months. If the storage duration is about to expire an email reminder is automatically sent. The storage can be renewed online.
The shipping of the sperm sample(s) to the fertility clinic must be requested online. The first two shipments are included in the price but more shipments can be arranged if needed.