Screening of Diers Selected Sperm Donors
Not everyone who wants to make a difference can become a sperm donor.
To be accepted as a Diers Selected donor, a man must be healthy, have a family medical history free from known hereditary diseases across three generations, and have good sperm quality.
Only 5–7% of all applicants are ultimately approved as sperm donors.
Donor Approval
Before a sperm donor is accepted into our donor programme, he must go through a thorough approval process made up of several stages.
Steps in the Approval Process
Sperm Sample
At the first appointment, the potential donor provides a sperm sample so we can assess whether his sperm quality is suitable for donation.
Medical History
Our donor coordinators review the potential donor’s family medical history across three generations to screen for possible hereditary conditions. This family history is also assessed in consultation with a specialist in clinical genetics.
Information for the Donor
The applicant is thoroughly informed about what it means to be a sperm donor.
This includes practical and legal aspects of being a donor, as well as the framework within which donation takes place at Diers Selected.
During this conversation the donor also decides how many families he wishes to help create as a maximum: 5, 25 or 75.
Blood and Urine Tests
We carry out a range of tests, including:
- Screening for infectious diseases that can be transmitted through blood or semen
- Screening for recessive genetic conditions
- Chromosomal analysis
- Blood testing to prepare the donor for genetic matching for patients who choose this option
Medical Consultation and Physical Examination
Our doctor meets with the donor to review his personal and family medical history in more detail based on the initial screening. The doctor also performs a full physical examination to ensure that the donor is healthy and suitable for donation.
Final Approval
A donor is only approved once all test results and medical assessments have been reviewed and accepted by our medical team.
Donor Profile
The donor completes his donor profile, which future clients will later be able to access. This includes for instance information about his interests, values and childhood photos.
Ongoing Testing
To ensure that the donor remains healthy throughout the donation period, regular blood and urine tests are carried out on an ongoing basis, and he also has an annual medical examination.
Which Conditions are Diers Selected Donors Screened for?
Conditions and Infections Included in our Screening Programme
Blood Tests
- HIV I/II
- HTLV I/II
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Syphilis
- CMV
Urine Tests
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
Chromosomal Analysis
We do not approve applicants if their chromosomal analysis shows unusual findings.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
CMVÂ is a common herpes virus that most people are exposed to during their lifetime, usually without symptoms or with only mild flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, CMV may pose a risk during pregnancy if transmitted to an unborn baby.Â
All Diers Selected donors are tested regularly for CMV antibodies. IgM indicates an active infection, in which case donations are discarded, while IgG shows a past infection and is not a concern as long as IgM is negative. The risk of CMV transmission through donor sperm is extremely low.
Additional Tests based on Travel History
If the donor has travelled to areas where outbreaks of these infections have been recorded, additional screening includes:
- Zika virus
- West Nile virus
Additional Tests based on Ethnic Background
If a donor has an ethnic background associated with a higher carrier risk for specific conditions, we expand the scope of testing accordingly.
Screening Reduces Risk, but cannot Remove it Completely
All donors go through extensive screening, including genetic testing, review of medical history and clinical assessment. Even so, it is important to understand that no screening process can eliminate all risk entirely.
There will always be a residual risk that a condition is not detected or develops later.
That said, using a screened donor is still significantly safer than natural conception with a partner who has not undergone any comparable donor screening.
GeneMatch
Because screening alone cannot remove all genetic risk, GeneMatch offers an additional layer of reassurance for those who want extra peace of mind.
All Diers Selected donors are prepared for GeneMatch as an optional add-on.
By testing the woman receiving treatment — or the egg donor she plans to use — it is possible to identify whether she and the donor are carriers of the same recessive condition, helping to reduce the risk further.
Need help choosing a donor?
If you have questions about donor screening, GeneMatch or CMV status, we are here to help.
We are happy to guide you and help you feel confident in your choice of donor.