Sperm Donor Genetic Testing

Sperm Bank Genetic Testing and Services

Our sperm bank’s experienced and caring Genetic Services team works cutting-edge technology to provide the most thorough sperm donor genetic testing and services. The team is available to answer your questions, discuss special testing, and set up suitable donor matches in an effort to provide the best sperm donor selection for you.

Fairfax Cryobank Genetic Services Team

Harvey J. Stern, M.D., Ph.D.,
Medical Director

As Fairfax Cryobank’s Medical Director, Dr. Stern is a Medical Geneticist with special expertise in evaluating genetic risks. His review of the donor’s medical and family histories adds a level of reassurance to the donor screening process.  If a donor’s medical or family history puts the children at increased risk, they are not accepted into the program.

Shannon Wieloch

MS
Director of Genetic Counseling

Nadine Carcamo

Genetic Assistant

Genetic Services

Compatibility Match

Clients can request a Genetic Carrier Screen Compatibility Match with their own carrier screen results or their egg source’s results. Please review this form and complete all steps required on the form to request a match. 

• The maximum number of donors a client can request a genetic carrier screen compatibility match for is three, regardless of whether the requests are made together or at multiple times.
• Turnaround time for completed matches is approximately 5 to 7 business days and are completed on a first come first serve basis.

Special Testing: If you select a donor who has not been tested for the conditions you need, we may be able to coordinate testing

If you select a donor who has not been tested for genetic variants in a gene you are a known carrier of, we may be able to conduct special testing on that donor. If testing is an option and you wish to pursue this option, there are a few points to note:

• The fee for special testing is $1,000. 
• Results can take up to 6 weeks.
• We require clients to purchase at least 1 vial and to keep in storage before beginning testing. Any vials purchased will not be used for testing. Please contact our Client Service Department to purchase vials. They can be reached at 800-338-8407 . You may also be able to purchase vials online.
• If you are interested in special testing, please contact [email protected]

If the donor results show that he is a carrier for variants in the same gene you are, then you would be eligible for 100% back on the vial(s) purchased for storage or an exchange (only responsible for the difference in cost between the vials, if there is any). Please note that vials are only eligible for buyback or exchange if they have not shipped out of our facility. For this reason, we recommend waiting for results before shipping any vials to your clinic.

Another alternative to special testing is to search for donors who already tested negative for variants in the specific gene you have been identified to have a variant in. On the Donor Search page, you can open the Genetic Testing Search section and add the filter Select by Gene(s) Tested Negative. You will need to check the gene name that applies to you.

Medical Updates

If there is an important medical update on the donor or his children, we want to be as transparent as possible. We will post the information on his Summary Profile update section right away. If there is an additional risk you need to know about, we will send out notifications to all those who have used the donor as well as the clinics that received the vial shipments.

If you are going to be using your donor sample soon, please check your donor’s status on the donor search. If his status (upper right corner of his donor page) still reads Active or Inactive, there are no additional concerns. If it reads Investigation or Restriction, information may already be posted in his summary profile update section or you may know about it from a notification you received. But if there is any question, we are here to share the details. 

To learn more about how we collect new medical information about donors and children conceived through their donor sperm, visit our Donor and Offspring Evaluation page.

To learn more about our sperm bank’s genetic testing services, visit these pages:

• Expanded Genetic Disease Testing
• Donor and Offspring Evaluation
• Blood Type Predictor