Genetic counseling for sperm donor selection
Genetic counseling for sperm donor selection is personalized, expert guidance that helps individuals and couples understand the genetic information behind their donor options — and what it means for the health of their future child.
At Cryomate, this guidance is provided by a board-certified genetic counselor who works with our donor program every day. The consultation is built around your specific situation — your carrier screening results, your family history, the donors you’re considering — and gives you a knowledgeable guide for one of the most meaningful decisions on your path to parenthood.
When should you consider genetic counseling for donor selection?
Genetic counseling for donor selection is recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and while it can be valuable at any stage of the process, there are situations where it makes a particularly meaningful difference.
You are comparing several donors and want expert input on the genetic side of the decision.
You have had carrier screening and carry one or more genetic conditions – the counselor can help you understand whether a donor has been tested for the same conditions, and what it means if they have or haven’t.
Your chosen donor’s profile shows carrier status for one or more conditions – the counselor can explain what this means for your specific situation and whether you need further testing.
There is a condition in your family history – the counselor can help you factor this into your donor selection.
You are planning IVF and your clinic has recommended preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disease (PGT-M) – donor DNA is typically required for this, and the counselor coordinates the process.
You’re not sure what you need yet. Many clients book a consultation simply because they want to talk through their options. That’s a completely valid reason, and the consultation is built to accommodate it.
Navigating genetic testing results can be overwhelming. A consultation offers the specialist support you need to fully understand your data and confidently choose next steps.
What does genetic counseling for donor selection include?
A genetic counseling session at Cryomate is a private, one-on-one appointment with our board-certified genetic counselor, conducted by phone or video, lasting approximately 60 minutes.
The consultation is led by the counselor. Before your appointment, you’re invited to share which donor you’d like to discuss, any carrier screening results you have, or any specific concerns, so the counselor can prepare and make the most of your time together. During the session, your counselor will:
- Review up to three donors from a genetic standpoint, walking through each donor’s genetic screening results and any relevant family history in detail.
- Identify any shared carrier risks between you and the donors you’re considering, and explain what this means in practice.
- Interpret any findings and potential genetic risks – in plain language, so you leave the session with a clear understanding of what the results mean for your future family.
- Answer your questions and guide your next steps – whether that means moving forward with a donor, considering additional testing, or understanding what other options are available for your specific situation.
After your appointment, you’ll receive a written summary by email covering everything discussed, including any recommendations and next steps.
Genetic compatibility
Why it matters when choosing a donor
Every Cryomate donor profile includes three genetic documents: a full genetic screening report, a genetic testing summary, and a four-generation pedigree, together covering which conditions the donor was tested for, the results, and a detailed picture of their family medical history across four generations.
For most donors, the genetic screening spans over 1,100 conditions. Most donors, like most people in the general population, will carry one or more recessive conditions, and this is entirely normal. What matters is not whether a donor is a carrier, but whether both the donor and the recipient carry the same condition.
How recessive genetic conditions work
Many serious genetic conditions are autosomal recessive — meaning a child must inherit one affected copy of a gene from each parent to be affected. A carrier has one normal copy and one affected copy, is typically healthy, and may have no family history of the condition at all. If only one parent is a carrier,
The risk to the child is low. If both the egg provider and the sperm donor carry the same condition, there is a 25% chance the child will inherit both copies and be affected. By comparing your results with those of potential donors, the genetic counselor can identify matches that minimize the risk of transmitting inherited conditions. This genetic matching process gives you greater confidence when selecting a sperm donor and helps ensure a healthier start for your future family.
A practical note
If you haven’t had carrier screening yet, doing so before finalizing a donor gives you the most complete picture. Your consultation is a good opportunity to discuss which panel makes sense for your situation.
Every donor in our catalog has already passed the most rigorous genetic screening of any US sperm bank. Learn more about our donor genetic screening process.
How to book counseling and what to expect
Reach out to book
Contact the Cryomate team to schedule your consultation. Appointments are available by phone or video and last approximately 60 minutes.
Your consultation
During your appointment, Cryomate’s board-certified genetic counselor will work through your specific situation — comparing donors, reviewing testing results, discussing family history, or addressing broader fertility questions. The session is guided by your questions.
Your written summary
After your appointment, you’ll receive a written summary by email covering everything discussed, including any recommendations, next steps, or referrals for additional testing. If additional donor testing is indicated, the coordination process begins from here.
Additional genetic testing for your donor
Cryomate’s standard donor screening is among the most comprehensive in the industry, but no panel tests every donor for every possible condition in advance. There are two situations where additional donor-specific testing may be requested:
You’re a carrier of a condition your donor hasn’t been tested for.
If your carrier screening identifies something specific, we can coordinate testing your donor of interest for the same condition, giving you a clearer picture of your shared risk before you commit.
How additional testing works
Make Your Request
Contact our client relations team with the specific gene(s) of interest (up to nine).
Testing Initiated
Once the sample is submitted, results are typically expected in under 4 weeks.
Receive Your Results
We will email you once results are back and update the donor’s profile with the updated genetic testing summary report.
Pricing
Additional genetic testing: $550 or more per donor, depending on the number of genes requested. Billing begins once testing is initiated.
A note on securing your choice
Results take approximately 4 weeks, and donor availability can change in the meantime. We recommend reserving vials from your chosen donor when you request additional testing. This step helps ensure the donor is still available once the results are ready, securing your family-building plans.
Pricing
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic counseling Approx. 60 min, up to 3 donors | $249 | Includes written summary by email |
| Additional donor genetic testing Up to 2 conditions per donor | $550 | Results in less than 4 weeks |
| Additional donor genetic testing 3-5 conditions per donor | $750 | Results in about 4-6 weeks |
| Additional donor genetic testing 6-9 conditions per donor | $950 | Results in about 4-6 weeks |
Fertility financing is available through Cryomate’s partners: CapexMD, Future Family, and PatientFi.
Counseling Availability by state
Genetic counseling licensure requirements vary by state. Please note genetic counseling services are only available in the following states:
Indiana
Florida
Wyoming
Vermont
Tennessee
Alaska
Texas
Colorado
Kansas
Missouri
North Carolina
New York
Maine
License regulations can change, so it is best to confirm the current requirements when you schedule
Your genetic counselor
Your consultation is led by Samantha Augustyn, MS, a board-certified genetic counselor. Samantha works with Cryomate’s donor program in genetic screening and family history for every donor in our catalog, which means she assists your consultation with direct, working knowledge of our donor profiles, testing methodology, and how to put results in context for the families we serve.
Frequently asked questions
Not always, but the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends it — particularly if you carry a genetic condition, have a relevant family history, or want expert help interpreting a donor’s carrier screening results. Many clients also find it valuable simply to have an expert walk them through this important decision.
A private 60-minute session with Cryomate’s board-certified genetic counselor, by phone or video. During the consultation, the counselor can compare up to three donors genetically, review your carrier screening results, discuss your family medical history, and help you understand what a donor’s testing results mean for your situation. A written summary is sent by email afterward.
Most people carry at least one recessive genetic condition without being affected by it. A donor being a carrier only becomes a meaningful risk if you also carry the same condition. A genetic counselor can compare your results with your potential donor, and help identify matches that minimize the risk of transmitting inherited conditions.
It is recommended to know your own carrier status before selecting a donor. If you haven’t had carrier screening yet, a genetic counselor can help you understand what panel makes sense for your situation and how to factor the results into your donor selection.
Yes. Comparing donors from a genetic standpoint is one of the most common reasons clients book a consultation. The counselor can review and compare the genetic testing results and family history for up to three donors in a single appointment.
PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disease) is a test your fertility clinic may recommend if you or your partner have a personal or family history of a specific genetic condition. Most PGT-M labs require DNA from both the recipient and the donor. If this applies to you, Cryomate coordinates donor consent and works directly with your PGT-M lab.
A genetic counseling consultation at Cryomate is $249 for an approximately 60-minute appointment, including a written summary by email. Additional donor-specific genetic testing, if needed, is billed separately at $550 or more per donor depending on the number of conditions requested.
Some states require genetic counselors to hold specific licensure. If you live in a state that requires genetic counselor to be licensed that a Cryomate genetic counselor does not currently hold, we recommend using the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ directory at FindAGeneticCounselor.nsgc.org to locate a local provider.
If you are in Indiana, Florida, Tennessee, or any state without licensure (currently including Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, and Maine), you can book your session directly through us. Be aware that licensure regulations can change, so it is best to confirm the current requirements when you schedule.
Many states are in the process of adopting genetic counseling licensure. As regulations evolve, we will adjust our process to comply with new requirements. When you request an appointment, our team can confirm whether your state requires licensure and direct you to the appropriate resources if needed.
Genetic matchmaking, led by your vision
We call it chromosomal chemistry — that moment of finding the perfect donor match for the baby you’ve always imagined. Your genetic consultation is one more way we help you get there