CEIFER Biobanco provides the best service in cryopreservation of human gametes and embryos for assisted reproduction technology.

1. QUALITY

At CEIFER Biobanco only donor candidates with seminal values much higher than those considered normal by the World Health Organization (WHO) are admitted:

  • This allows us to offer samples with optimal seminal values, between 10 – 12 ∗ 106 per ml, after thawing.

At CEIFER Biobanco we use high performance systems for oocyte vitrification (CryoTop®) which enables:

  • 95% oocytes survival rate after thawing.

The use of cryopreserved gametes from our Oocytes Bank allows to achieve rates of fertilization, embryonic division and pregnancy similar to those obtained with conventional ovodonation methods (fresh oocytes).

The results from our Sperm Bank vary according to the fertilization technique used at the receiving center, with pregnancy rates around 30-60%.

Our donors go through a strict selection protocol, which is continuously improving, and always with the aim of offering the maximum possibilities of obtaining not only a pregnancy, but a HEALTHY CHILD.

We do not only perform the tests required by Spanish regulations, but also we strengthen donors screening with additional tests following the recommendations of National and International Scientific Societies.

  • Medical records
  • Psychological Tests
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • General analytic
  • Genetic screening tests

» Go to Sperm Bank Protocols

» Go to Oocytes Bank Protocols

Chromosome Study – Kariotype

Only donor candidates with normal kariotype are accepted. Additionally candidates with polymorphic karyotypes are discarded since they offer lower results for assisted reproduction techniques.

Carriers of autosomal recessive monogenic diseases

Genetic studies are carried out to eliminate donor candidates who are carriers of the most prevalent autosomal recessive monogenic diseases in our environment (Mediterranean area of Europe).

Sperm Bank

Disease Gene Sequencing
Study of gene carriers of Cystic Fibrosis CFTR View Table 1*
Spinal Muscular Atrophy SMN1 Complete Gene
Autosomal recessive deafness Type A GJB2 Complete Gene
Alpha thalassemia HBA1/HBA2 Complete Gene
Beta thalassemia HBB Complete Gene
Familial Mediterranean fever MEFV Complete Gene
Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Deficiency PAH Complete Gene
Pompe disease GAA Complete Gene
Alport Syndrome COL4A4 Complete Gene
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome DHCR7 Complete Gene
Tay-Sachs Disease HEXA Complete Gene
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency G6PD Complete Gene

To reduce the risk of offspring affected by these and other diseases, it is recommended to perform Genetic Matching (more information below in DNA Bank and Genetic Matching)

Oocytes Bank

Disease Gene
Spinal Muscular AtrophySMN1
Cystic FibrosisCFTR
View Table 1*
X-chromosome linked diseases (57)Duchenne, Hemophilia A - B, Fabry, Pompe, G6PD, AR, mental retardation...*
View Table 2*

To reduce the risk of offspring affected by these and other diseases, it is recommended to perform Genetic Matching (more information below in DNA Bank and Genetic Matching)

Genetic Compatibility Test (Genetic Matching) allows to compare the genetic information of a man and a woman to study their genetic compatibility. It can help prevent the transmission of hundreds of genetic monogenic diseases.

It is carried out through a comprehensive battery test against more than 300 genes related to known genetic diseases, including those variants more common in the mediterranean zone.

» Go to Genetic Matching Protocol

For our Gametes bank we only use certified products with CE marking:

Oocytes bank

  • CryoTop® System
  • Kitazato vitrification media

Sperm bank

  • High security CBS straws, which prevent spilleage and cross-contamination.
  • Automatic filling and thermosealing of straws.
  • Certified freezing medium.
  • Automatic CryoPreservation Systems  (Cryologic CL-8800i) for better monitoring and traceability of the process.

Transport containers travel inside specific cases designed by CEIFER Biobanco.

  • Certified nitrogen containers for air and land transport.
  • Added security with anti tampering system.

2. SERVICE

CEIFER Biobanco has the great advantage of being a Gametes Bank, bringing together the services of both Sperm Bank and Oocytes Bank. Most of our services are integrated with the aim of offering the best customer service to reproduction centers and final clients.

CEIFER Biobanco offers an ORDERING PLATFORM with a wide range of online services.

Given the sensitive nature of the information shared through these services, we want to emphasize that it is held under strict security standards: secure connections through SSL, user/password keys and digital certificates.

Services available at our online platform

  • Place an order.
  • Obtain shipping tracing reports.
  • Make notifications of pregnancies and their outcome.
  • Consultation of original reports from a donor:
    • Phenotype
    • Serological tests
    • Carrier tests
    • Kariotype

OVOTECH is a serviced addressed to IVF laboratories to help them optimize the process of thawing vitrified oocytes.

  • By using this service, a reproduction center gets free advice from our skilled laboratory personnel when attemping the first oocyte thawing, upon receiving vitrified oocytes.

CEIFER Biobanco offers to reproduction centers several options for ordering vitrified oocytes.

  • OVOPACK 6: 6 vitrified MII oocytes.
  • OVOPACK 8: 8 vitrified MII oocytes.
  • OVOPACK 10: 10 vitrified MII oocytes.
  • OVOPACK 12: 12 vitrified MII oocytes.

We perform two methods for sperm cryopreservation, which also define two different kinds of samples available to reproduction centers:

‘WHOLE SEMEN’ samples

  • The ejaculation sample (whole sperm) is mixed with cryoprotectant solution (Freezing Medium – TEST-yolk buffer manufactured by IrvineScientific) to make a 1:1 dilution
  • It is then stored inside straws and frozen.

‘READY USE’ samples

  • The ejaculation sample goes through density gradient centrifugation, then pellet washing and dilution (1:3) with Sperm Freeze Medium (FertiPro).
  • Finally it is stored inside straws and frozen.

» Go to Types of Samples

3. COST / EFFICIENCY

Our prices are comprehensive for the whole service, including transportation and return of non used samples.

The price is for the shipment of 3 0,5 mL straws of WHOLE SEMEN, or 1 single 0,5 mL straw of READY-USE SEMEN. These are the recommended volumes for a successful insemination cycle.

  • Price per shipment – [table “5” could not be loaded /]

Considerations about pricing:

  • Prices given for transportation within the iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and with the courier services chosen by CEIFER Biobanco.
  • For other destinations prices may vary according to the rate applied by the transport agency, please ask.

Options for OVOPACK.

  • Ovopack 6: [table “1” could not be loaded /]
  • Ovopack 8: [table “1” could not be loaded /]
  • Ovopack 10: [table “1” could not be loaded /]
  • Ovopack 12: [table “1” could not be loaded /]

 

Considerations about pricing:

  • Prices for transportation within the iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and with the courier services chosen by CEIFER Biobanco.
  • For other destinations prices may vary according to the rate applied by the transport agency, please ask.

Through our service OVOTECH we offer free advice from our skilled laboratory personnel for the first thawing of vitrified oocytes. This session would be on site at the receiving reproduction center.

If one of the following conditions is met – [table “6” could not be loaded /]

  • Donors from CEIFER Biobanco (sperm) + Receiving woman
  • Donors from CEIFER Biobanco (oocytes) + Couple of the receiving woman
  • Donors from CEIFER Biobanco (sperm) + Donors NOT from CEIFER Biobanco (oocytes)
  • Donors from CEIFER Biobanco (oocytes) + Donors NOT from CEIFER Biobanco (sperm)

In the following assumption – [table “6” could not be loaded /]

  • Donors from CEIFER Biobanco (sperm) + Donors from CEIFER Biobanco (oocytes)