Sperm donor candidates complete a comprehensive medical questionnaire and participate in an in-depth interview with a set of questions aims at identifying candidates with risk behaviors, symptoms of disease and family medical history. The medical exam also includes a background check.
In addition to this, we test the quality of the sperm and a thorough physical examination of the candidate is carried out by one of our healthcare professionals.
Sperm donor candidates are tested in accordance with the FDA guidance for infectious diseases. We also test for 7 genetic diseases. Candidates with a family history of serious hereditary mental and/or physical diseases are rejected. Donors are also screened for normal karyotype.
Comprehensive health screening
Our screening process includes the following parts: a thorough physical examination, a genetic carrier test, and a medical review of the donor’s family health history. Each part is described below:
The physical examination
The first part of our screening process involves a thorough physical examination to assess the donor's physical and mental health. Thereafter, blood and urine tests are performed to check for infectious diseases such as:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B and C
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- HTLV
We also evaluate the donor’s sperm quality, as it is a crucial criterion for becoming a sperm donor.
Genetic carrier test
In addition to the physical examination, we conduct a genetic carrier test to screen for recessive diseases such as:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Hemoglobinopathies (Alpha thalassemia, Beta thalassemia, Sickle Cell Anemia)
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Non-syndromic Deafness (GJB2)
- Tay-Sachs Disease
Comprehensive medical questionnaire
The donor must complete a comprehensive medical questionnaire to detail his family's health and medical history. If there are any indications of genetic diseases, the donor may be rejected. These extensive tests help minimize the risk of transmitting serious diseases to children conceived with donated sperm. Moreover, all approved donors are regularly tested for infectious diseases throughout the entirety of the donation period.
How you find this information at Cryos
In each Sperm Donor Profile available on our website, you will find a Summary of Records (SOR) containing test results, donor characteristics, and standard release information. The SOR will be attached to the order confirmation, and a copy is also included in your shipment. Please note that the Summary of Records is subject to change over time due to the continuous testing of the donors.
If you are looking to buy sperm for your fertility treatment, and are a known carrier of any hereditary disease, please contact our Customer Care Team, which can help you in choosing the right sperm donor.
Country-specific requirements (Standards)
When creating a free account online and indicating your treatment country, it enables us to show you only the donors that comply with the regulations in that specific country.
Learn more about the country-specific requirements (Standards)
How we handle a discovered genetic condition in a donor or a child
If a child is reported to have a discovered condition based on the genetic standing of the donor, the donor is then removed from the Sperm Donor Search and put on hold during analysis and investigation.
Looking into the reported condition, if it is found that the donor might be the cause of the condition then the condition is registered on the donor’s files and summary of records whereas consent must be signed before using the genetic material of the donor.
If it is found that the donor is not the cause of the reported condition in the donor child, then the donor’s genetic material is released back onto the database for further use.
We understand the importance of a clear and concise donor process and work diligently to understand and meet the needs of every client.