Donor FAQ

As licensed processor, distributor, and importer of human semen, ReproMed has the ability to offer patients donor semen specimens that are collected from different sources. ReproMed is an agent for Xytex International and has the ability to import their Canadian Compliant samples for distribution. We also recruit donors here in Canada and process specimens locally in our state of the art lab. Too often, individuals equate donating semen with blood or plasma donation. We want to assure you that this is far from the truth. ReproMed semen donors are selected from carefully screened and tested men who have undergone a rigorous program of evaluation prior to acceptance into our donor program. In fact, less than 5% of all applicants are accepted.

Here are the most asked questions about samples from donors recruited in Canada:

How Does ReproMed Find Donor Applicants?

Our donors come from a wide variety of sources including; direct referrals from current donors, discreet advertisements in professional periodicals and from our many media (TV, radio, newspaper and magazine articles) exposures. Donors are also recruited from local areas which offer a high quality of life.

Why Does An Individual Become A Donor?

Due to the high awareness of the infertility dilemma, many men, most of whom are married with kids of their own, become donors to help infertile couples have children of their own. In pursuance of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, 2004, donors are not compensated for their donations. Expenses associated with the donation are reimbursed within a reasonable limit, usually not to exceed $70.00.

How Well Does ReproMed Staff Know The Donors?

Prior to acceptance into ReproMed's donor semen program, our staff becomes quite familiar with our donors through regular weekly interactions and discussions. This takes place over a period of more than 6 months, including an average of 30 appointments and 7 blood draws. Throughout this time, it is natural for the donor to become a part of the ReproMed family and take on a caring, sincere desire to help others overcome infertility.

What's The Average Age Of Our Donors?

The average age of our donors is 31 years.

What Donor Information Is Available To Patients?

We provide non-identifying information about our donors free of charge through our Semen Donor Catalogue. You also have access to a very detailed five page computer generated D.A.D.S.™ - Donor Portfolio.

What Are The Educational Requirements For Donors?

The vast majority have a university education. Our Semen Donor Catalogue and D.A.D.S.™ - Donor Portfolio offer specific levels of education. The majority of our donors are professional men.

What Commitments Must A Donor Make To ReproMed?

A minimum of one year of participation with four to five laboratory appointments per month, monthly blood draws, agreements and forms, interviews, physical exam, scheduled reviews of life style assessment, ongoing evaluation of health and disease risk. We view a donors' willingness to commit to such a demanding schedule as further proof of their sincere attitude.

What Are The Chances For Donor Insemination (DI) Success?

Realizing that each recipient is a unique individual with her own distinctive physical complexities, our data has demonstrated a probability of pregnancy of 42 % within 3 cycles and 67% within 6 cycles. Women less than 36 years of age will have up to 86% pregnancy rates within 6 cycles. Although we would like to, we cannot guarantee success with any number of cycles.

How Many Pregnancies Does ReproMed Allow One Donor?

ReproMed follows guidelines recommended by international reproductive societies regarding the important issue of number of births resulting from the use of Donor semen. ReproMed performs regularly scheduled surveys of our physicians and treatment outcomes of their patients, and employs these data to monitor use of certain Donors in particular geographical areas. ReproMed attempts to limit Donors to three live births per region of 100,000 populations. Siblings of the same patient using the same Donor are considered one live birth.

What Information Does The Donor Provide To Assist ReproMed Staff In Deciding Whether Or Not To Accept Him As A Donor?

Candidates undergo vigorous, lengthy interviews involving personal questions regarding sexual behavior, family background and reasons for participating in our semen donor program. A minimum of 3 generations of family history is taken and evaluated. Following extensive semen analysis, both prior to and after cryopreservation, the candidate is tested for infectious diseases. The list of screening criteria is continually being updated as recommendations are received from governmental and professional organizations. After 3 months of testing, accumulation of physical and personal data and countless interviews and discussions, our Medical Director, Dr. Alfonso P. Del Valle, determines the acceptability of the candidate. An additional three months of testing and screening ensue before the donor's specimens are available for use in clinical artificial insemination. After this 6 month period we feel confident and assured that the donor candidate is now ready to become an "accepted" member of the donor program.

What does it mean that the donor is CMV IgG reactive?

It means that the donor has been exposed to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the past. None of our donors have current CMV infection; they are routinely tested for markers of current infection. In addition, culture of semen samples is performed to ensure the absence of any viruses. This is a unique feature that distinguishes ReproMed's screening program from other sources of donor semen in Canada. Recent research indicates that 30-50% of the population is exposed to the virus mild form during a certain stage of their lives but do not realize this unless they get screened for it. Some physicians would advise CMV non-reactive recipients to select only a donor who is also CMV non-reactive, while CMV reactive recipients can select any type of donor. If you have any further questions, please check with your treating doctor as this may affect your donor selection.

Can a Donor get Information about a Child Conceived from their Donor Specimen?

When a donor enters the program, they waive the rights to seek personal information about the recipient and the offspring. The only information that is made public is the number of childbirths that have resulted from their participation as a donor.

In the Future can our Child Learn about the Donor or Contact them?

When your child turns 18, they are able to make the request to meet the donor. Some donors have initially agreed to meet with their offspring when they turn 18 however this is not a binding agreement. Even though they may be willing at the time the sample is donated, they may change their mind several years down the road. This applies to anonymous semen donors.

For Open-ID Donors, How is Contact Made?

Identity Disclosure donors are not expected to have social contact with registered offspring before the age of 18 years. When the age has been reached and the request has been made, Xytex will initiate the contact and provide the offspring with a method to contact the donor. An ID Disclosure donor's minimal obligation for contact is to update his family medical history. Any other information or contact is strictly optional and at the donor's discretion.

Please refer to the Identity Disclosure Consent and Release Form for further details.