Sperm donor with hepatitis B virus

Hello Doc, my question is the following:

Can and egg donor pass hepatitis B to offspring? I want to become a single mom and I want to make sure my sperm donor won’t pass this disease to my baby. A relative went through it and it was terrible… I’m afraid this happens to my child…

Hello SYBIL,

Every man willing to donate his sperm are screened and have to undergo a strict recruitment process. They are psychologically screened—to check whether they are mentally prepared to become sperm donor— and medically screened as well—to confirm they are indeed healthy men.

The medical screening process involves a karyotype test that allows the medical team to rule out the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. The clinical and the family history of the candidate are also examined, especially if there is history of genetic or infectious diseases; a study of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and any other abnormality likely to be transmitted to offspring is also carried out.

The serology is performed in order to detect the presence of antibodies to HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, etc. Such screening test is carried out right after the first semen sample is collected and then 6 months (i.e. quarantine period) after the first sample is collected. If both tests are negative and no antibodies are found, the sample will be used. Two tests are carried out because of the window period of these infections. By doing it, we can make sure the sample is actually free from any of them.

I hope this helps,

Best regards