Sperm Distribution Services

As the exclusive Canadian distributor for Fairfax Cryobank, Can-Am Cryo Services Corp. is fully committed to distributing donor sperm of the highest quality for artificial insemination. In addition to testing required by accreditation and licensing organizations, the donors and sperm samples undergo extensive genetic and infectious disease testing using state-of-the-art techniques. Through this rigorous testing process only 3% of donor applicants are accepted. For more information please see the Donor Sperm Catalogue.

State-of-the-Art Donor Sperm Screening

Fairfax Cryobank uses the highly sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) molecular genetic technique. While no testing is 100% accurate, PCR based testing affords a ten-fold increase in sensitivity and detection. This means that false negative results are virtually ruled out.
 

NOTE: Linked terms are defined in the Glossary.

New More Sensitive Testing

As of April 1, 2001 all Fairfax Cryobank donors have been tested for the following infectious diseases using Polymerase Chain Reaction technology in a new DNA by PCR STD panel (Sexually Transmitted Diseases).

• HIV 1 & 2 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus types 1 & 2)
• HTLV I & II (Human T-cell Leukemia Virus types I&II)
• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2
• Cytomegalo Virus (CMV)
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) strains 16 and 18 (most commonly associated with cervical cancer)
• Mycoplasma
• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia

This testing is in addition to our already extensive battery of tests for both infectious diseases and heritable disorders. These sperm tests are currently exclusive to Can-Am Cryo Services in the Canadian marketplace.

More on the importance of HPV DNA testing of donor semen to reduce the risk of cervical cancer in the recipient can be found in the Research Notebook.