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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
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.
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....:dunno:
Kris
I guess it depends on the testing and policies, and how they vary between countries.
How does that work? Aren't the samples frozen?
Good question Lulu
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
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
I still don't get it - wouldn't they be imported in sterile sealed containers?
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).
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'.
I just don't know how HIV (for eg) could develop in a frozen sample.....my brain hurts now!
Yeah good point. Maybe they restest the donor...?? LOL! Dunno... I'll go have a read and get back to you!
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 :lol: Didn't need to as we used an unknown donor (who had already gone through the full quranatine process).
Interesting topic .. Surely infec diseases dont mutate in frozen sperm, any one googled ?
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.
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 ?
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.
Not trying to HJ the thread, if DH decided to be a donor he could be anonomous in Australia ?
Unknown, not anonymous. I think in most states he'd need to sign a contract and go on a register to be contactable, but whoever uses him as a donor would not know who he was until/unless the child turns 18 and chooses to seek him out.
Thanks Leasha
Hmm interesting, i wonder if it matters if the donor has a positive history behind him.
Like is currently being used in the US with no problems and is regularly tested for diseases.
If we do have to bring it here, have it stored then wait 6 months to test it before use....i'm sure we'd be billed for that right?
Kris
It is not the sperm that is retested...it is the donors blood. But they can't use the sperm until the donors blood is confirmed to be clear of lurgies hence the six month wait because of the delay in HIV showing up in the blood stream.
I am almost certain that the six month wait does not apply to overseas samples as long as the donor overseas has already served the six month quarantine initially and had all the follow up blood tests. And if you use the same donor more than once you wouldn't have to do another six month wait if you get what I mean.
And the new law regarding being contacted at age 18 is federal...you cannot donate either eggs or sperm in this country anymore unless you sign that you are willing to be contacted by any offspring when they turn 18 (if they choose to seek you out).
Hope that helps answers some questions...:)
Ahhh i see, thank you for clearing that up Mel! :)
That make sense, so does that mean the USA have the same 6 month time frame for testing as well?
This is good news, knowing it's ready when we're ready will bring peace of mind.
Does anyone have any idea how long it stays frozen in those canisters?
Thanks everyone for your info :clap:
Kris
I would assume most places would have some sort of wait time but that doesnt mean you have to wait at all....you could select a donor from the list that has already done his quarantine time......they may have frozen samples in storage that have been there over six months and done the "quarantine" time....
i am not sure how long they last in the canisters in transit but frozen sperm in general can last for years...i know the longest is one man who had a baby from sperm he had frozen about 20 years previously when he got cancer as a teenager.....
aaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!
Oh that's great, thanks again Mel you've made my night :dance:
Oh and also would someone please tell me what all the abbreviations mean like TTC?
Sorry if i'm a little slow,
Kris
http://forums.bellybelly.com.au/foru...-acronyms.html
Here you go !
:
In WA the donor is known as anonymous, He goes on the register and CAN choose whether or not to be contacted when the child reaches 16.
The WA Clinic called concept has many anonymous donors and does not import from other states or overseas.
xx
Bee - I think it is federal law now (very new and doubt it is or could be retrespective) that the donor must, by law, make himself contactable. I know some states, Vic being one of them, that legally cannot import sperm from other countries or accept donations from donors who are or wish to remain anonymous.
But not sure if this means they can refuse contact later. Kind of makes the legislation pointless if they can. :dunno:
I agree with you Leasha...was 95% sure that the new law was federal and it is a very new law like only a few months old. i believe it is not retrospective so does not apply to donations before the law came into effect.
I know it has been in place in a few states for a while anyway, the federal law is new.
Our clinic followed that anyway, and we started the process over 2 years ago now.
Thank you for the link wouldloveabubba....that's a cute name lol
Kris