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American Association of Tissue Banks or AATB
The American Association of Tissue Banks, or AATB, is a national association that issues guidelines for and accredits tissue banks, including reproductive tissue banks like sperm banks. It is a voluntary accreditation.
ART or Assisted Reproductive Technology
Assisted Reproductive Technology, or ART, is a term that covers all technical procedures or services devoted to helping women achieve pregnancy through artificial insemination.
Semen
Semen is fluid from the penis that comes through the urethra upon ejaculation; it contains sperm.
CMV or Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a very common viral infection. About 50-80% of all adults in the US show evidence of previous CMV infection.
In healthy individuals it causes a mild transitory infection with few or no symptoms. Recovery is rapid with no lasting manifestations. Once a CMV infection occurs, that individual remains antibody positive for life.
Tay-Sachs Disease
Tay-Sachs disease is a severe neurological disorder that causes seizures, blindness, and muscle weakness. Symptoms often begin in infancy and result in death by five years of age.
It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and occurs most often among individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish and French Canadian ancestry.
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a disorder of hemoglobin which is the molecule that carries oxygen in our blood cells. Symptoms include episodes of joint and bone pain and increased risks for strokes, infections, and organ damage. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and occurs most often among individuals of African descent.
Autosomal Recessive
"Autosomal recessive" refers to a specific pattern of inheritance. If a disorder is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, it means an individual has to inherit two mutations of the disorder, one from each parent, in order to be affected by it.
Choosing a Sperm Bank
SpermCenter.com believes that the sperm banks matters almost as much as finding the right donor. To help educate yourself we have listed some of the issues and questions we believe are important below.
FAQs for Guys Looking to Become Sperm Donors
How do I become a sperm donor?
Please see our page devoted to becoming a sperm donor here.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Sperm Bank
Questions to Ask Your Sperm Bank:
What accreditations, registrations and licenses do they have?
Sperm banks MUST be registered by the FDA. Its a requirement. If a bank isn't registered by the FDA, stay clear. Always call to double check a banks qualification if they don't list their registration or accreditations on their website.
Sperm banks may be accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), but this is voluntary.
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The Fertipedia!
Find out everything you want to know about fertility and donor insemination (also called artificial insemination). Check out our glossary or information like choosing a Reproductive Endocrinologist, choosing donor sperm, choosing a sperm bank and much more!
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