Genetic Testing Requests on Gamete Donors After Conception; Pre-Test Counseling Considerations for Patients [8O

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To document the requests for genetic testing on gamete donors after conception and outline counseling considerations for patients to be informed about prior to testing. METHODS: All requests for additional genetic testing on sperm donors from January 2013 through September 2016 were reviewed and sorted to identify requests received during ongoing pregnancies. RESULTS: Fifty-two requests for additional genetic testing on sperm donors were received. Most requests involved carrier screening for conditions for which patients were identified to be carriers. Some requests involved microarray findings in fetuses that required additional donor testing in order to help interpret fetal risks. Donors in our program are frequently available and willing to participate in additional testing but their availability is not guaranteed and testing can take several weeks or months. This can cause patient distress during pregnancy when the donor is unavailable or willing to have testing or if donor testing takes considerable time to accommodate. CONCLUSION: Requests for additional testing on gamete donors are frequently received to help define the risks to a fetus. Prior to testing, patients should be counseled about the potential limitations of testing on a donor should testing be warranted. This will aid in their decision-making process prior to performing testing and help to prepare them for the circumstances they could encounter following their own positive test results.