Laboratory testing of prospective donors includes multiple seminological and haematological tests:

Seminological tests:

  1. Conventional parameters (semen volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, vitality)
  2. Functional parameters (acrosome integrity test, sperm DNA integrity test, semen redox potential test, etc.)
  3. Recovery test and longevity study post thaw
  4. Complete microbiological screening

Hematological tests:

  1. Blood type (ABO) / Rh
  2. Chromosome analysis (karyotype)
  3. Mediterranean syndromes (thalassemia type a, b, db and sickle cell anemia – genetic testing by NGS and evaluation by HPLC and full blood count)
  4. Cystic fibrosis (includes ≥99% of mutations checked by NGS and also deletions and duplications for the CFTR gene)
  5. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA 1 gene)
  6. Non-syndromic hearing loss (connexin GJB2 gene – most frequent mutation c.35delG)
  7. Sexually Transmissible Diseases (HIV I/II, HbsAg, anti-HCV, VDRL, anti-HTLV, CMV)

Only the candidates whose semen quality exceeds the reference values of internationally recognized methodologies are selected.
Due to the seasonal variations observed in semen, it is possible that a candidate donor is asked to deliver 2 or 3 control samples, in order to certify whether his semen quality meets the selection criteria.

There is also a possibility that neat semen of good quality might not be adequately recovered post thaw. Since sperm donation requires only frozen semen, the selection obviously includes only samples that produce good recovery of motile spermatozoa after thawing.

All laboratory tests are performed free of charge for the donors.