Sperm Donor Infectious Disease Testing

The FDA now requires that all donors be screened and tested for sexually transmitted diseases. These are referred to as “Relevant Communicable Diseases” or RCD.

The required tests are for the agents that cause HIV, HTLV, HBV, HCV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and CMV. This testing with the required six month quarantine and retesting have nearly eliminated the risk of acquiring an infection from donor sperm with one of these diseases. 

There are two components in risk reduction, one is the infectious disease testing, the other is a required medical and social history of the donor which assists in identifying risk related behavior. 

Both are considered essential in the management of the donor in order to reduce risk of infection. Testing alone is not adequate.