Donor Semen Processing Guidelines

Evidence-Based Processing Algorithm

The World Health Organization recommends that frozen sperm be thawed and prepared using standard sperm washing techniques before IUI, following WHO manual protocols 1
Freeze unwashed semen directly in cryoprotective medium, then wash after thawing using standard WHO protocols before intrauterine insemination 1

Donor semen must be quarantined for at least 6 months after collection, with the donor retested for HIV antibody before release, to exclude donors in the HIV "window period" who test negative but are actually infected 2
This quarantine requirement makes pre-freeze washing impractical, as semen must be frozen immediately and stored during the mandatory waiting period 2

Collect semen sample and perform initial HIV antibody testing on donor 2
Freeze unwashed semen directly in cryoprotective medium and store at -80°C or in liquid nitrogen for minimum 6-month quarantine 2
Retest donor for HIV antibody at 6 months, and if negative, release frozen samples for clinical use 2
Thaw frozen unwashed semen and wash using density gradient centrifugation, swim-up, or simple wash per WHO manual, then verify post-preparation total motility and concentration 1

Sperm DNA integrity is preserved during cryopreservation regardless of washing timing, though concentration and progressive motility decrease significantly 3