Using A Known Donor
Directed (Identified) Donor Sperm Collection
Do you want to use donor sperm from someone who is not a spouse or partner? Our Directed (Identified) Donor Collection service is the solution! This program is for individuals or couples who wish to conceive with a known donor without having intercourse.
What is a Directed Donor?
A Directed Donor (formerly called known donor) is defined as a donor who has a known relationship with the intended parent(s). This differs from anonymous (nonidentified) donors, whose identities are not disclosed to the recipients. Directed Donors are often friends or family members, or they may be found through a third-party donor agency. Because the donor and intended parents know each other, specific agreements and expectations may be established regarding their relationships with recipients and with the child.
View PricingHow Do I Start The Directed Donor Sperm Process?
Before proceeding with the medical screening, we strongly recommend that your donor schedules a complete semen analysis appointment. This analysis will provide essential information about the donor's sperm count, the viability of his sample after it freezes, and the morphology of the sperm. These factors are crucial for understanding fertility potential and the likelihood of achieving pregnancy.
What’s Included with Cryobank America’s Directed Donor Program?
The Directed Donor Program offers a comprehensive package that includes:
✔️ Consultation
✔️ A Complete Semen Analysis
✔️ Three Collections
✔️ Initial Infectious Disease Screening
✔️ A physical examination conducted by a Cryobank America physician
✔️ Consultation
✔️ A Complete Semen Analysis
✔️ Three Collections
✔️ Initial Infectious Disease Screening
✔️ A physical examination conducted by a Cryobank America physician
What Does the Timeline Look Like?
Our Cryobank America physician performs physical examinations on Fridays and Mondays. According to FDA guidelines, all donations must be collected within 7 days of the infectious disease blood test. Additionally, it is recommended that donors refrain from ejaculation for at least 48 hours between collections to achieve the best results. Please refer to the schedules below:
How Should I Request My Donor's Vials to be Processed, IUI or ICI?
It is important to consult with your fertility clinic regarding the best type of vial for your specific procedure, as different clinics may have varying preferences based on the type of treatment you are receiving.
What’s the Turnaround Time For Me to Receive My Donor Sperm Vials?
It is not required that Directed Donors undergo a quarantine period, however, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends a minimum of 35 days for quarantine of donor sperm vial(s), followed by a repeat infectious disease blood-draw. If you do not plan to quarantine your donor vials and perform a repeat infectious disease blood draw, your clinic will need to fill out our CA Statement of Risk Waiver for Directed Donor Semen Use as well as the Clinical Release form.
Can I Use Directed Donor Sperm For Home Insemination?
Yes, you can use a directed donor, but please note that a 181-day quarantine period is required as well as a repeat infectious disease blood-draw. Additionally, a physician must sign our clinical release form for home insemination.
Screening Requirements:
To reduce the risk of passing on sexually transmissible infectious through semen specimens, Cryobank America adheres to FDA-mandated requirements as well as AATB, ASRM, and NYSDOH regulations and guidelines, which levy stringent testing and screening policies for donors who store semen samples. These requirements include the testing and screening of the following:
- ABO blood typing and Rh (Rhesus factor)
- Chlamydia
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) total antibodies
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG and IgM antibodies (if total Ab test is positive)
- Gonorrhea
- HIV-1/2/0 Antibodies
- HIV/HCV/HBV NAT
- Hepatitis B surface antigen
- Hepatitis B virus core antibodies
- Hepatitis C virus antibodies
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I/II) antibodies
- Syphilis serology
- West Nile Virus NAT
Directed donors are required to complete a color vision test, a medical social questionnaire (MSQ) form, and a urinalysis, and they must visit our medical director to fulfill a donor physical examination. Additionally, we strongly recommend optional genetic screening to detect any inherited diseases that could be passed on to future children.
Recommended Add-ons For Directed Donor Sperm Collection:
Karyotype
A karyotype can provide important information about the genetic health of potential donors. It helps identify structural changes such as deletions, duplications, translocations, or inversions that may affect a child's health, or lead to infertility or miscarriages. This screening ensures donors are suitable for contributing to a healthy pregnancy and offers vital genetic information for intended parents considering fertility treatments.
Psychological Screening
A psychological evaluation is an important part of the sperm donor screening process, as it helps ensure that the donor is emotionally stable, mentally healthy, and fully informed about the short- and long-term implications of donation. The psychological evaluation provides an opportunity to assess the donor’s motivation, understanding of the process, and ability to provide informed consent. It also helps identify any potential psychological concerns that could impact the donor’s well-being or the well-being of any resulting child.
View All Add-Ons & PricingCarrier Screening
Carrier screening is a crucial step for both donors and recipients in the context of assisted reproduction. Understanding one’s carrier status can provide valuable insights into potential hereditary conditions that may affect future children. If both the donor and recipient are carriers of the same genetic condition, there is a 25% chance that their child would be affected with that condition. Carriers typically have no symptoms of the genetic condition themselves and often do not have a family history of the condition. By undergoing carrier screening, both parties can make informed decisions about their reproductive options, assess risks, and explore alternative pathways if necessary. This proactive approach not only safeguards the health of the child but also fosters a deeper understanding of genetic implications, ultimately leading to more informed and responsible family planning.
Legal Consultation (laws may vary by state)
It is important that you and the donor enter into a written donation agreement to document the legal rights and responsibilities of all parties, including the donor’s relinquishment of all legal rights, including parentage rights. We highly recommend The Baby Lawyers, who specialize exclusively in assisted reproductive technology law and represent clients throughout the United States and worldwide.
Learn About Directed Donor AgreementsContact The Baby LawyersDirected (Identified) Donor Collection Service
• Initial Consultation
•Complete Semen Analysis
• Medical Screening with Cryobank America Physician
• Includes 3 collections (IUI or ICI processing)
• Initial Blood Testing* (6-month post quarantine blood draw may be required for an additional fee)
• First year of storage included!
Initial Required Screening Subtotal:
$
4200
Additional collections:
ICI: $200 per collection
IUI: $200 per collection
Contact Us To get StartedICI: $200 per collection
IUI: $200 per collection
*All recurring blood testing is subject to an additional fee
Learn More About Our Directed Donor Process
For more information or to set up a consultation, please contact our Directed Donor Coordinator at DDCoordinator@cryobankamerica.com.
Email us for more infoRecommended Add-ons
6-Month Blood Testing
$595
6-Month Donor Medical Examination
$300
Chromosome Analysis, Karyotype
$700
Genetic Testing: Natera Horizon Carrier Screening
$500
Directed Donor Sperm FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about our Directed Donor program. If you cannot find your answer here please contact us or use the chat.
No. If using a Directed Donor through Cryobank America, you must use a Cryobank America physician.
No. Donor infectious disease testing is performed using infectious labs that are FDA approved laboratories (including CMV IgG, IgM, and HTLV-I and II) within 7 days of sperm acquisition.
Cryobank America offers directed donor sperm collection at two locations: our headquarters in Arlington, Texas, and our California laboratory, Cryobank OC. Click here to learn more about our directed donor collection services in California.
No, the Directed Donor package is comprehensive and includes all services. The fee remains the same even if you choose to waive selected services.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that spreads through contact with bodily fluids, including semen, and poses significant risks, particularly for pregnant women and newborns. While most people infected with CMV do not show symptoms, the virus remains in the body for life and can reactivate, with many individuals potentially contracting different strains over time. By age 40, over half of people in the U.S. have been infected. The primary concern with CMV is the risk of congenital infections, which can lead to serious health issues in infants, such as hearing loss, developmental delays, and other long-term complications. If a woman contracts CMV for the first time during pregnancy, there is a 30% to 40% chance it will be transmitted to her baby. In contrast, if she has a pre-existing infection that reactivates or contracts a new strain, the likelihood of transmission is generally lower. To mitigate these risks, sperm donors are tested for CMV as part of strict screening protocols at sperm banks and fertility clinics, ensuring the safety of recipients and their future children.
RESOURCES:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) fact sheet. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582519/
RESOURCES:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) fact sheet. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582519/
