GeneMatch with a sperm donor or an egg donor
Find a donor who is genetically compatible with you.
Why GeneMatch?
Get peace of mind with a
GeneMatch
Humans have two copies of every gene—one from the biological mother and one from the biological father.
We all carry an unknown number of genetic mutations that usually do not lead to genetic diseases.
If both biological parents have mutations in the same gene, the risk of passing on a recessive hereditary disease increases.
Reduce the risk of
hereditary disease
To minimise this risk, we offer you the option of taking a GeneMatch test.
This comprehensive genetic test analyses over 400 recessive hereditary diseases in your genes. It then compares these results with the genetic profile of your potential donor.
Avoid mutations
in the same gene
The test checks if you and your donor share mutations in the same gene. This can increase the risk of passing on one of 400 genetic diseases to your child.
With this knowledge, you can decide more confidently if the donor is the right match for you.
GeneMatch – step by step
1. Check donor list
Browse through our sperm and egg donors and find your favourites to GeneMatch with.
2. Test kit
We’ll send you a test kit, or you can book an appointment for a blood test at the clinic.
3. Saliva sample
Take a saliva sample and follow the instructions in the test kit, or have the blood test done at our clinic.
4. Laboratory analysis
The sample is sent to the laboratory for examination.
5. Test result
Your test result will be ready within 6 weeks.
6. How will I get the results?
You will receive the result from us by email.
3 possible results from the test
You can expect to receive one of the following three outcomes from the GeneMatch:
1.
You and a donor
are a good match
This means you and the donor do not share mutations in the same genes.
There is no risk of your child inheriting any of the 400+ diseases screened for in the GeneMatch test.
Your report result will state: “No incompatibility is observed.”
2.
You and a donor are not a good match
You and the donor both carry mutations in the same gene. This increases the risk of passing on a hereditary disease to your child if you choose this donor.
Your report result will state: “Incompatibility is observed.”
In this case, we recommend selecting a different donor and conducting a new GeneMatch test.
3.
You have an
X-linked condition
You carry a condition related to the X chromosome.
We recommend genetic counselling before further treatment, as there is an increased risk of passing the affected chromosome on to a child.
Unfortunately, Diers Fertility Clinic does not provide genetic counselling services.
Explanation of genetic conditions
Everyone can carry gene mutations without having symptoms themselves — this means you can be a carrier of a recessive genetic condition.
If the same gene is mutated in both the biological mother and the biological father, the child may develop a recessive condition.
This is where a GeneMatch can help.
Genetic conditions are divided into the following types:
-
autosomal recessive
-
autosomal dominant
-
X-linked conditions
-
Y-linked conditions
Learn more about genes
Humans have 46 chromosomes arranged in pairs, including two sex chromosomes (X and Y) and the rest, called autosomes.
Egg and sperm cells each contain 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. Genes are located on chromosomes and are classified as either sex-linked or autosomal.
Humans have about 30,000 active genes and inherit two copies of each—one from the biological mother and one from the biological father.
Autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant genetic diseases
Autosomal recessive genetic diseases
An autosomal recessive disease only occurs if both copies of a gene are mutated. This means that both biological parents must carry the mutation for the disease to be passed on. Therefore, it is important that both you and your donor are tested.
If both parents have the same mutation, there is a 50% chance that a child will carry the mutation (a healthy copy from the biological mother and a mutated copy from the biological father or vice versa), a 25% chance that they will not inherit it (a healthy copy from the biological mother and a healthy copy from the biological father), and a 25% chance that they will inherit both mutated genes and get the disease (a mutated copy from the biological mother and a mutated copy from the biological father).
If the gene match test shows incompatibility with the donor, there is a 25% chance that your child will inherit an autosomal recessive disease with that donor.
Autosomal dominant genetic diseases
An autosomal dominant disease occurs if one copy of a gene is mutated. This means that one of the biological parents must carry the mutated gene, and as a result, the individual will also be affected by the disease. Other family members will often have the same disease.
All our egg and sperm donors are thoroughly screened for autosomal dominant conditions during the approval process. Therefore, no additional testing is carried out for this type of genetic condition.
X- and Y-linked genetic diseases
Women and men have different sets of sex chromosomes—XX for women and XY for men.
Women inherit one X chromosome from each parent, while men inherit an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father.
Y-linked diseases
Only seen in male children. The Y chromosome is transferred from the biological father.
Our sperm donors are already screened for hereditary conditions during the approval process, so no further testing for Y-linked conditions is performed in GeneMatch with sperm donors.
X-linked diseases
The risk of a woman passing such a disease-causing gene on to her child is 50%. A GeneMatch with a sperm donor will therefore identify certain X-linked mutations you, as the mother, may be a carrier of.
Egg donors at Diers IVF are pre-screened for this.
Order GeneMatch
GeneMatch with a sperm donor from Diers Selected
Order a GeneMatch with up to 3 sperm donors from Diers Selected.
Please send an email to the clinic with the following information:
-
Donor name(s)
-
Your name
-
Your email address
If you are planning IUI treatment, send the email to: [email protected]
If you are planning IVF treatment, send the email to: [email protected]
The price of GeneMatch for a sperm donor is 560 €.
Browse through our sperm and egg donors and find your favourites.
GeneMatch with an egg donor
Please contact our IVF department to plan a GeneMatch.
For double donation, simply send an email with the names of the sperm donor and egg donor you would like to match.
GeneMatch in double donation is only available with sperm donors from Diers Selected.
FAQ
Is a GeneMatch test necessary if I feel healthy?
We all carry unknown recessive gene variants (mutations) that can be passed to our children.
Most people are unaware of these mutations and never experience symptoms.
If both biological parents carry a variant in the same gene, the child has a higher risk of developing a disease.
This risk applies to all children, whether conceived with a donor or not.
Although sperm and egg donors are thoroughly screened, a small risk remains if both the donor and the biological parent share a mutation.
If you want to reduce this risk significantly before pregnancy, GeneMatch is a great choice.
What is the likelihood of passing a recessive genetic disease to my child?
The general risk of biological parents passing on a recessive disease to their child is about 1 in 100, or 1%.
For women, the risk of carrying an X-linked disease is up to 1 in 200, or 0.5%.
Can I completely prevent my future child from being born with a genetic disease with a GeneMatch test?
No, a GeneMatch test cannot guarantee that your child will be free from genetic diseases.
While we match you and your donor and screen for many recessive diseases, a small residual risk remains.
This is because not all genes are tested, and new or unknown mutations may not be detectable through matching.
What is the cost of a GeneMatch test?
The price of a GeneMatch test with up to 3 sperm donors from Diers Selected is 560 €.
Is it enough to do one saliva test?
Yes, if you follow the instructions in the kit and fill the collection container to the fill-line, there is enough material for a genetic test. In some cases, it may be necessary to make a new sample if the material is not good enough.
Will a genetic profile of my genes be included in the GeneMatch test?
No, you will not receive a full genetic profile or other thorough review of your genes. You will simply receive an answer as to whether your and the donor’s genes are a healthy match. This means that there is no risk of passing on any of the over 400 recessive hereditary diseases screened for in the GeneMatch test.
What do I do if there is no match?
You have a mutation in the same gene as the donor, but neither of you are sick. You should choose another donor as there is a 25% risk of having a sick child.
It is not uncommon to have mutations in one or more genes. Diers Fertility Clinic is not told which gene the mutation is found in and therefore cannot provide further information about the specific mutation.
Do I need to send in a new saliva sample if there was no match in the first test and I want to get a gene match test with another donor?
No, the testing laboratory does not need a new saliva sample. The lab can reuse the genetic material from the previous saliva sample.
What do I do if the test shows that I have an X-linked disease?
The test results will tell you which X-linked disease it is. You should seek genetic counselling before proceeding with fertility treatment, as there is a high risk of passing on the diseased X chromosome to your future child.
Can you do the GeneMatch test with a blood sample instead of a saliva sample?
Yes, but the blood sample must be taken at our clinic. Contact the clinic if you want to have a blood sample taken for the test instead of submitting a saliva sample yourself.