Just getting started

chattman

I am just starting to look at donor profiles, hope to be doing insemination in late October/November.

A few questions...
What exactly is CMV total antibody?
Why are there different prices for different types of samples?

Thanks!

cryo-admin

Hi Chatt -

CMV is nothing to worry about. Nearly all adults will be exposed to CMV in their lifetime. In the USA, some 50-85% of adults will test positive for prior infection. In developing countries, it is almost 100%.

Being CMV+ simply means a donor is carrying the antibodies for the CMV virus (much like anyone who has had chicken pox carries that antibody forever). If a donor applicant tests positive for an active infection he is disqualified. If a qualified donor tests positive for an active infection (whether he tested + or - in the past) he is restricted from donating and all vials collected since his last negative test are destroyed. The donors are tested every 3 months and all donations are quarantined for 6 months, so there is no risk of a specimen with an active CMV infection being distributed.

In over 30 years of business, we have never had a report of a client or child contracting the CMV virus from a CMV+ donor.

Vial prices are determined by the procedure used to create the vial. ART vials are meant for IVF procedures, thus requiring less sperm. ICI vials are either washed by a physician prior to insemination or used as is for at-home insemination. ICI vials are prewashed prior to freezing and are ready for a physician to use as soon as they are thawed (no wash necessary). If a physician does the wash, there will be an additional lab fee on your bill.

Good luck,

Scott
CCB