FAQ's

Sperm

Report a Pregnancy or Birth

To report a pregnancy or birth using donor sperm, please click on your donor bank's link and complete the requested form:

Fairfax Cryobank

http://www.fairfaxcryobank.ca/pregnancyreport.php

Seattle Sperm Bank

https://www.seattlespermbank.com/services/pregnancy-reporting/

NW Cryobank

Sign into your account at https://www.nwcryobank.ca/sign-in/ and click on Report a Pregnancy at the bottom of the page.

Donor sperm FAQ

Where does CAN-AM obtain donor sperm and eggs?

CAN-AM is a Canadian owned and operated importer of donor sperm and eggs from seven U.S. cryobanks. Our facility is inspected regularly by Health Canada and we maintain the highest standards of regulatory compliance.

Are sperm and egg donors tested for HIV and other diseases?

The products CAN-AM distributes are compliant with the screening and testing requirements of both the American Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada. Health Canada ensures that repeated tests are conducted on all samples for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and syphilis. Donor sperm is also tested for the Sexually Transmitted Infections Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

Where can I get donor photos and additional donor information?

CAN-AM displays donor profiles in our catalogue, and we provide links to access each Cryobank’s website for additional donor information and photos. More information is available at these supplier’s websites.

If I choose an Open Identity donor, what kind of identifying information will be released?

Open-identity donor programs allow the offspring of a donor to contact the sperm or egg bank once they reach adulthood and can be provided with the name and last-known contact information for the donor. The bank may act as an intermediary and attempt to contact the donor without revealing any identifying information to the offspring. Donor- conceived children are free to decide whether they want to receive this information, and whether or not to follow up on it.

Information about the client using the donor sperm or eggs, or about the resulting offspring, is never revealed to the donor under any circumstance.

Specific variations between open-identity programs vary between banks- please contact the bank directly for more information.

How do I report a pregnancy or birth?

Each bank maintains its own register of associated pregnancies and/or births. Registration is important for the bank to contact you in the case of an important update in the donor’s medical information, and is required for participation in donor identity-release programs. Please visit the donor’s bank website for details.

Can I receive updates on the donor's health status?

Each bank provides updates to donors' medical information where available. They may contact you directly if you provide them with your contact information, or they may provide the information to your health care provider. The information may also be available directly on the supplier’s website.

Can I talk to someone at CAN-AM to help me choose my donor?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CAN-AM is not currently able to interact with on-site visitors. Please feel free to email or call us and we will do our best to assist you with your donor selection, or anything else.

Donor sperm ordering FAQ

I've chosen my donor, how do I order?

Click the order now button on the donor catalogue next to your chosen donor to submit your request. Any assistance you require, including if you are ordering within 48 hours of your treatment in a priority order, please call CAN-AM directly to ensure that your order is processed quickly.

All ordering questions can be directed towards the Ordering FAQ.

When should I place my donor sperm order?

Your clinic will advise you on what day the vials (samples) need to arrive- we recommend that you order donor sperm by Day 3 of your cycle to ensure your shipment will arrive at your clinic when you need it.

Should I order IUI (washed) or ICI (unwashed) donor sperm vials?

Your clinic can tell you whether they have a preference. “Washed” donor vials have been processed at the sperm bank before freezing, and are used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) directly after thawing. “Unwashed” vials can be used for intracervical insemination (ICI) or may be washed at your clinic prior to being used for IUI.

How many vials do I need?

Your clinic will tell you how many vials you will need to order per cycle of treatment. While reproductive health is a science, there is no concrete timeline to the process, as it varies between patients. You can order vials for future treatment cycles and store them at CAN-AM, ensuring that you have a guaranteed supply when you need it.

Why did my donor have many vials available last month, but none this month?

Banks must hold donoe sperm specimens in quarantine for at least six months before they can be released for use. At the time of each release, many vials may be released at once, or only a few: we cannot be sure that vials from your chosen donor will be consistently available.

ensure that you will have a guaranteed supply of your chosen donor, we recommend that you pre-purchase vials ahead of time. Additional vials will provide you with the option of potentially having multiple children in the future using the same donor. Vials can be stored at CAN-AM and shipped to your clinic when needed.

Can I store extra vials of donor sperm?

Our facility offers both short and long term reserve storage for vials of donor sperm. Our Storage FAQ can provide more information.

Can I return any donor sperm vials that I don't need?

Vials are eligible for a 50% refund up to 12 months after purchase if the vials remain in storage at CAN-AM. Sperm banks will not accept vials for refund if kept in doctor’s offices or clinics, as storage conditions cannot be guaranteed. Any vials returned to CAN-AM from a clinic can continue to be stored for use, but cannot be refunded. Storage fees are not refundable.

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