How Safe Is Donor Sperm? Semovo Sperm Donor Screening Process
If you’re looking for a sperm donor and researching sperm banks, you may read that sperm donors have ‘health screening’ as part of the sperm donation process.
But what does this mean exactly? And what are we testing our sperm donors for?
Why sperm donor health screening is good news for you
Sperm donor health screening protects your health and that of your future child. It means that the sperm we offer you is safe for your use. Your Semovo sperm donor has been tested and is clear of sexually transmitted infections and many of the more serious diseases or conditions that could pose a health risk to you and any child you have.
Why using a licensed sperm bank is so important
Health screening is a mandatory part of the process when donors donate to licensed and regulated sperm banks. It’s why we can guarantee you safer donor sperm than when using the unregulated route.
No health rules apply for sperm donations carried out through unregulated means. It’s why finding a sperm donor through private arrangement, a personal ad or a ‘matching’ site isn’t advised.
Semovo sperm donor health checks: Genetic and medical assessment
Semovo sperm donor medical checks are a thorough process. In addition to health testing, all sperm donors have a medical review with one of our doctors where we examine family medical history as far back as grandparents.
If there’s any evidence of serious inherited medical conditions within the family, then the donor will not be accepted as a Semovo sperm donor.
Sperm donor screening: What we test for
At Semovo we perform genetic screening as well as testing for diseases and sexually-transmitted infections, in accordance with the HFEA’s strict screening guidelines.
We test for:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Karyotype testing to check for chromosome abnormalities
- Hereditary conditions such as inherited deafness, spinal muscular atrophy, alpha thalassaemia, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Blood-related conditions such as Sickle Cell Anaemia and Tay Sachs
- HIV 1 and 2
- Hepatitis B and C
- HTLV I and II
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhoea
- Chlamydia
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Our sperm donors are re-screened every three months for specific conditions and again before all their samples are released for use.
What if a sperm donor has an existing medical condition? Are they still allowed to donate?
If a sperm donor is on regular medication for a medical condition or has a history of a condition, we always seek clarification from their GP as to the nature of the condition, before accepting the applicant as a Semovo sperm donor.
What if a sperm donor is a carrier of a genetic condition?
Sometimes a donor’s genetic test results show that they are a ‘carrier’ of a genetic condition. This means they do not have the condition themselves but they may pass on their affected gene to their offspring. This would only matter if you were also a carrier of the same condition, and could therefore also pass on your affected gene, meaning your child could have the condition. In this circumstance your clinic may strongly advise that you are tested for the same condition to see if you are also a ‘carrier’ If your results show that you aren’t a carrier, then you could safely use the donor knowing that your child is highly unlikely to have that condition.
Would a sperm donor ever just withhold health information?
Withholding health information may be an issue if there was high financial reward for donating, but this is one of the reasons sperm donor compensation is set to £45 expenses per visit in the UK. As an altruistic act, there is no financial motivation to deceive.
Semovo sperm donors also sign a declaration stating that they accept responsibility for the information they provide to us, and that they understand that if they don’t declare anything relevant, they are legally liable.
The implications of this declaration are carefully explained to potential donors by our team, along with the importance of the consent forms they must complete to become sperm donors with us.
Safe donor sperm with Semovo
Secure safe donor sperm for your fertility treatment with Semovo. Browse our profiles at your leisure on our website and submit our online form to register your preference.
