Directed (Identified) Donor Collection
Are you considering using a specimen from someone other than a spouse or partner? Our Directed (Identified) Donor Program offers the ideal solution. This program is for individuals or couples who wish to conceive using a specific person's donation without engaging in sexual intercourse.
What Is A Directed (Identified) Donor?
A Directed (Identified) Donor, previously referred to as a known donor, is someone who has an established relationship with the intended parent(s). Unlike anonymous or non-identified donors, whose identities remain confidential, Directed Donors are known to the recipients. These donors are often friends, relatives, or individuals found through a third-party donor agency. Since both parties are familiar with one another, they can create specific agreements outlining expectations, such as future involvement and the nature of their relationship with the child.
How To Begin The Directed Donor Process
Before undergoing any medical screening, it's highly recommended that the donor first complete a comprehensive semen quality check. This test measures key parameters, including sperm count, post-freeze motility, and morphology. The results help determine fertility potential and the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
What's Included in Cryobank OC's Directed Donor Program?
Cryobank OC's Directed Donor Program provides a thorough and supportive process that includes:
- 30-minute Complimentary Phone Consultation
- Complete Semen Quality Check
- Three Separate Collections
- Initial Infectious Disease Screening
- A Complete Physical Examination Conducted By A Cryobank OC Physician
Timeline Overview
Physical examinations with Cryobank OC physicians are available on Fridays and Mondays. In accordance with FDA regulations, we must collect all donations within 7 days of the donor's infectious-disease blood draw. For optimal results, donors are encouraged to maintain an abstinence period of at least 48 hours between each collection.
Scenario 1
FRIDAY
DAY 1
Physical Exam, IDT Testing, 1st Donation
SATURDAY
DAY 2
CLOSED /Abstention Day
SUNDAY
DAY 3
CLOSED /Abstention Day
MONDAY
DAY 4
2nd Donation
TUESDAY
DAY 5
Abstention Day
WEDNESDAY
DAY 6
3rd Donation or Abstention Day
THURSDAY
DAY 7
3rd Donation
Scenario 2
SATURDAY
DAY 1
Physical Exam, IDT Testing
SUNDAY
DAY 2
CLOSED / Abstention Day
MONDAY
DAY 3
1st Donation
TUESDAY
DAY 4
Abstention Day
WEDNESDAY
DAY 5
2nd Donation
THURSDAY
DAY 6
Abstention Day
FRIDAY
DAY 7
3rd Donation
Directed Donor FAQ
How Should My Donor's Vials Be Processed — IUI or ICI?
If you're using a Directed Donor, one of the first steps is determining how you'd like your donor's sperm vials to be processed—IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) or ICI (Intracervical Insemination). Each fertility clinic may have its own protocols based on the procedure you're pursuing. Your physician is the best resource for advising whether IUI-prepared or ICI-prepared vials are most appropriate for your specific treatment plan. Consulting with your clinic early helps ensure the vials are processed correctly for your intended use.
When Will My Donor Sperm Vials Be Ready?
The FDA does not require Directed Donors to undergo a quarantine period. However, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends a minimum 35-day quarantine followed by a repeat infectious disease screening to ensure the safety and quality of the specimen.
If you choose not to quarantine the donor sperm or repeat infectious disease testing, your fertility clinic must complete two required documents before Cryobank OC can release the vials:
- CA Statement of Risk Waiver for Directed Donor Semen Use
- Clinical Release Form
Following these steps ensures your clinic receives your vials as quickly and safely as possible.
Can Directed Donor Sperm Be Used for Home Insemination?
Yes! Directed donor sperm may be used for home insemination, but specific safety and compliance steps are required. The donor must complete a 181-day (six-month) quarantine period, followed by a repeat infectious-disease blood test. Additionally, a licensed physician must sign Cryobank America's Clinical Release Form authorizing use of the specimen for at-home insemination.
What Are The Screening Requirements For Directed (Identified) Donors?
Cryobank OC upholds strict sperm donor screening standards set by the FDA, AATB (American Association of Tissue Banks), ASRM, and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). These agencies establish the industry's most comprehensive protocols for identifying infectious or genetic risks before a specimen is cleared for use.
Required Laboratory Testing Includes:
- ABO blood typing and Rh factor
- Chlamydia
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies (total, IgG, IgM)
- Gonorrhea
- HIV-1/2/0 Antibodies and NAT
- Hepatitis B surface antigen and core antibodies
- Hepatitis C antibodies and NAT
- HTLV-I/II antibodies
- Syphilis serology
- West Nile Virus NAT
Directed Donors must also complete
- Color vision testing
- Medical Social Questionnaire (MSQ)
- Urinalysis
- Comprehensive physical exam with Cryobank OC's Medical Director
For added peace of mind, we strongly recommend genetic carrier screening to detect potential hereditary conditions that could affect future children.
Can I use my own physician?
No. If using a Directed Donor through Cryobank OC, you must use a Cryobank OC physician.
What if my donor has already completed a semen quality check beforehand? Can I have that service waived?
No, the Directed Donor package is comprehensive and includes all services. The fee remains the same even if you choose to waive selected services.
Can I get my own blood testing?
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.
What is CMV, and why is that important?
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, and many individuals may contract different strains over time. By age 40, over half of the 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.
Recommended Add-Ons
Genetic Carrier Screening
Carrier screening is an essential component of assisted reproduction. It determines whether an individual carries genetic variants that could cause inherited conditions. If both the donor and recipient are carriers of the same condition, there is a 25% chance their child could inherit it. Because carriers often have no symptoms, this screening provides critical information to guide informed reproductive decisions and reduce the risk of transmitting genetic conditions.
Karyotype Analysis
A karyotype test evaluates the structure and number of chromosomes to detect any abnormalities that could lead to infertility, miscarriages, or genetic disorders. This information helps ensure the donor's reproductive health and gives intended parents valuable insight into genetic compatibility.
Legal Consultation
Because legal requirements for sperm donation vary by state, it is critical to establish a written donor agreement before proceeding. This agreement defines each party's rights and responsibilities, including the donor's waiver of parental rights.
Cryobank OC recommends working with The Baby Lawyers, a firm specializing in assisted reproductive technology (ART) law. They represent clients across the United States and internationally, ensuring all documentation meets legal standards and protects everyone involved.
Psychological Evaluation
Cryobank OC recommends a psychological screening for all Directed Donors. This evaluation confirms that the donor is emotionally and mentally prepared for the donation process and understands the long-term implications of sperm donation. It also provides an opportunity to identify any emotional or psychological aspects that could affect the donor or potential offspring.
DIRECTED (IDENTIFIED) DONOR COLLECTION SERVICE
$4800
Additional Collections:
ICI: $200 per collection
IUI: $200 per collection
*All recurring blood testing is subject to an additional fee.
Recommended Add-Ons
$595
6-Month Blood Testing
$300
6-Month Donor Medical Examination
$700
Chromosome Analysis, Karyotype
$500