Research Notebook

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Donor Sperm Screening for factors including Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)* DNA

In the Vol.97, No. 3, March 2001 edition of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. F. Olatunbosum and other scientists from the Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, recommended that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)* DNA testing be performed on the semen of prospective donors so that the risk of cervical cancer in the recipient can be reduced. This is due to the fact that HPV has been detected in 8% of clinically HPV negative sperm donors. In addition, it was noted that sperm washing was ineffective in eliminating the risk of HPV transmission to recipients. For this reason, all our donors have been tested with the most sensitive PCR test for HPV DNA.

* HPV (2 most common strains 16 & 18) is the leading cause of cervical cancer in more than 90% of all cases.

For 15 years,  Fairfax Cryobank has set the standards in donor sperm testing and is still the only cryobank to perform the tests marked with an asterisk(*).

• 1990: First to test all donors for Cystic Fibrosis
• 1992: First to test all donors for HIV by PCR*
• 1992: First to test all Jewish donors for Gaucher
• 1996: First to test all Jewish donors for BRCA-1*
• 1996: First to test all donors for Alpha–1 Antitrypsin Disorder*
• 2001: First to test all donors for a comprehensive STD panel by PCR, including HPV and Herpes*

These sperm tests are currently exclusive to Can-Am Cryo Services in the Canadian marketplace. For more information, please read about our Donor Sperm Distribution services.

Recent Research Notebook Entries: (Go to Notebook Index)

• Prognostic factors for pregnancy success with donor semen
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Donor Sperm Screening for factors including Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)* DNA
• Sperm banking prior to cancer treatment