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thread: 6 month sperm quarantine?

  1. #1
    Kris217 Guest

    6 month sperm quarantine?

    Hi again,
    I've noticed a few times now something about a 6 month sperm quarantine policy.
    Can anyone please tell me what this is about?

    My partner and I wanted to order from overseas but if this policy will effect us we'd need to order earlier than we though.

    Thanks for any info
    Kris

  2. #2
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    It's 6 months from the time of collection, basically for HIV (and possibley other diseases?) that may not show up at first, so they test again after 6 months just to make sure. If you have a donor in mind and want him to donate, you'll have to think about it and get him to donate at least 6 months before you want to start TTC. If you are ordering unknown donor sperm I think that would have already been through the quarantine period, so it shouldn't be an issue (unless Australia quarantine again because it comes from overseas?).

    You'll definitely have to talk to your clinic about it though, they'll know the full details.

  3. #3
    Kris217 Guest

    Oh i see, thank you for clearing that up Leasha
    We'll definitely ask a clinic about it, would hate to be ready then find out we have to wait an additional 6 months!
    I do wonder though if it's been through proper testing at a US clinic if it still would need to be tested here....

    Kris

  4. #4
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    I guess it depends on the testing and policies, and how they vary between countries.

  5. #5
    Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

    Jan 2005
    Funky Town, Vic
    7,070

    How does that work? Aren't the samples frozen?

  6. #6
    Kris217 Guest

    Good question Lulu

  7. #7
    Registered User

    May 2008
    Ipswich, QLD
    45

    I think the testing is all done whilst in America, before freezing. I don't thin they re-test when it arrives in Australia.

    We are just coming to the end of the 6 month quarrantine with known donor sperm - all ready to start IVF next cycle - getting excited...

    Cath

  8. #8
    Kris217 Guest

    I hope you're right Cath
    That sounds good to me, i bet you're glad your 6 months is almost over!
    Good luck with it!

    Kris

  9. #9
    Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

    Jan 2005
    Funky Town, Vic
    7,070

    I still don't get it - wouldn't they be imported in sterile sealed containers?

  10. #10
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    It's testing for things like HIV. If the donor has just contracted HIV it can take 6 months to show up, so they test, and then freeze, and then they take a sample of the frozen sperm 6 months later and retest.

    They're frozen in 'straws' not all at once, so it isn't hard to get a sample. I'm pretty sure they just use a straw (which is only about 20ish mls - or thereabouts).

  11. #11
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    And if it was coming from a country that DIDN'T test for HIV or anything else, they'd probably test it on arrival in Australia to comply with Australian 'standards'.

  12. #12
    Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

    Jan 2005
    Funky Town, Vic
    7,070

    I just don't know how HIV (for eg) could develop in a frozen sample.....my brain hurts now!

  13. #13
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    Yeah good point. Maybe they restest the donor...?? LOL! Dunno... I'll go have a read and get back to you!

  14. #14
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    Ok, some of the sites i have just looked at say that the donor usually signs a contract stating they have to go back for regular testing in the 6 months from providing the sample.

    Your cluey Lulu, I never even through about Didn't need to as we used an unknown donor (who had already gone through the full quranatine process).

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    1,350

    Interesting topic .. Surely infec diseases dont mutate in frozen sperm, any one googled ?

  16. #16
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    If the donor had it at the time of donation, even if it doesn't show up on tests, like its early stages, it is still infectious? is that right? Because HIV doesn't show up for 6 months sometimes (most times?), but they still have it.

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    1,350

    Googled ; By law it has to be Q for 6 months, after that the donor should be tested, as HIV etc may take 6 months to show up. In Aust, you have to know the donor, is that right? That is why many women go o/seas so the donor is anonomous ?

  18. #18
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    We used an Australian unknown donor, but it is VERY RARE to find a clinic which has Australian unknown donors, which is why people import from overseas.

    I think in most states now it is a legal requirement for the donor to be contactable when the child turns 18. Our donor is.

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