Before donating, sperm donors begin by filling out an application that includes such information as their age, occupation, education, and ancestry.  After their initial application, donors provide a sperm sample for initial analysis, and then they provide a blood sample and an extensive medical history.  Finally, sperm donors take blood tests throughout the time of their donations for:

• HIV
• Human T-cell lymphotropic viruses
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B & C
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Karyotyping 46 XY
• Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Sperm is frozen and stored for a minimum of 6 months before being released for use to ensure that the donor is healthy and disease-free. For a sperm bank with extensive testing, see the Seattle Sperm Bank: www.seattlespermbank.com.