GeneMatch

Take a gene compatibility test to ensure you and your donor are a healthy match.

Why Test for Gene Compatibility?

We screen our donors extensively for genetic diseases and optimal health outcomes. But a donor is only half the story - your genes play a part, too. That’s why we offer a genetic compatibility test to make sure you and your donor are a healthy match.

Genetic screening

Get Peace of Mind

We have two copies of every gene - one inherited from our biological mother and from our biological father. When both biological parents carry mutations in the same gene, it increases the risk of passing a recessive genetic disease to future offspring. To reduce that risk, we offer a comprehensive genetic test called GeneMatch that screens your genes for 400+ recessive genetic disorders and compares them to your potential donor’s genes to ensure a healthier future for your child. 


To test, simply select the GeneMatch option on a donor’s profile and we’ll send you a test kit.

What is GeneMatch?

Genetically inheritable diseases are caused by mutations in our genes that we pass on to our children. GeneMatch is a test determining whether your genes and those of your donor are a healthy match. The test determines whether you and your donor share mutations in the same gene that would result in your child inheriting a genetic disease. 

In short, by matching your genes we can determine if you and your donor carry mutations in the same genes and in this way determine if the future child is at risk of inheriting a disease.

GeneMatch screens for more than 400 genetic diseases and will give you an answer to ensure that you and your donor are a healthy match. 

GeneMatch
Sperm donor compatibility

Check Your Compatibility With One or More Donors

Choosing between donors? You can purchase GeneMatch tests for multiple donors - or just one at a time. A single test starts at 900 EUR. 

Please note - beyond our compulsory screening, donors must consent to the additional genetic testing included in the GeneMatch test.


What Results Can I Get?

You may get one of three results when opting for a GeneMatch test with a potential donor:

How the Test Works

Simply select the GeneMatch option on a donor’s profile and we will send you a test kit to check your compatibility with them. The test is easy - simply take a mouth swab to collect a sample of your saliva and send it back to us. You’ll receive the result six weeks after we receive your sample, and we’ll send you the results via email. 

We recommend that you purchase your preferred donor sperm units and store them with us ahead of the test result, to ensure that your donor does not sell out. 

How geneMatch works

Genetic Disorders Explained

Read on for a more in-depth look at how genetic disorders are inherited - and why we test for compatibility.

Humans have approximately 30.000 functional genes. We have two copies of every gene - one inherited from our biological mother and one from our biological father. We can carry mutations in one copy of our genes without being sick - this is called being a carrier of a recessive genetic disease. But when both versions of the same gene have mutations, a recessive genetic disease can arise - this is why GeneMatch can help. 

Genetic disorders are classed as autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, X-linked or Y-linked. Read on to learn more about these different types - and which ones GeneMatch screens for.

Autosomal recessive - GeneMatch

Autosomal Recessive Genetic Disorders

An autosomal recessive genetic disorder will only arise if both versions of an affected gene have mutations. This means you can’t pass on the disease unless both biological parents carry the mutation - which is why it’s important to test both you and your potential donor.

If both biological parents carry the same mutation, there’s a 50% chance that any offspring will inherit one mutation and become a carrier, a 25% chance they will inherit no mutations, and a 25% chance that they will inherit two mutated genes and therefore, a genetic disease. 


A GeneMatch incompatibility result means there’s a 25% chance that your child will inherit an autosomal recessive genetic disorder with your preferred donor. In this instance, we recommend selecting a different donor. 

Autosomal Dominant Genetic Disorder

When a genetic disorder is autosomal dominant, it means the disorder arises where just one gene is mutated. Since we already screen donors for autosomal dominant disorders during the intake process, we don’t need to test your compatibility for this disorder type. 

Autosomal dominant - GeneMatch
X-linked or Y-linked disorders - Genematch

X and Y-linked Genetic Disorders

X-linked and Y-linked disorders arise in genes on the X and Y sex chromosomes respectively. Females and males have different sex chromosomes - XX and YY.  Females inherit an X chromosome from each biological parent, while male offspring inherit an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from the father.

Y-linked genetic disorders: Since the Y chromosome can only be passed from the male parent, it isn’t necessary to test your compatibility for Y-linked disorders. 

X-linked genetic disorders: These disorders are very rare in females, because they require the same abnormal gene on the X chromosome from each parent.  However, because males have only one X chromosome, they can be affected by an X-linked genetic disorder if they inherit an abnormal gene from their mother. 

GeneMatch therefore alerts you to certain X-linked genetic mutations you may be carrying. 

FAQ for Gene Match

  • Can GeneMatch rule out the risk of all medical conditions?

    Genetic testing cannot completely eliminate the risk of having a child with a genetic condition. Nor can a test like GeneMatch cover all possible genetically inherited diseases - or detect some de novo (new) mutations which may arise in an individual sperm, egg or fetus. However, by screening for gene mutations in both biological parents,  you can rule out 400+ genetic diseases and give your child a healthier start. 

  • I have no history of serious illness in my family. Is GeneMatch relevant for me?

    Yes - GeneMatch is relevant for all women before beginning fertility treatment with the help of a sperm donor. We can all be potential carriers of certain recessive genetic disorders without having any signs or symptoms.  And if two biological parents are carriers of the same genetic disorder, there’s a 25% chance their child will inherit that genetic disease. Being a carrier of a genetic disease isn’t the same as being sick with the disease - you can only confirm it with a genetic test. 

  • What is the risk of passing on a recessive genetic disease to my child?

    On average, 1 in 100 sets of biological parents are at risk of passing on a recessive disease to their child (1%). A woman’s risk of carrying an X-linked disease is up to 1 in 200. (0.5%). 

  • Will the GeneMatch test delay my fertility treatment?

    You will receive the GeneMatch results approximately 6 weeks after we receive your test sample. In the meantime, we recommend ordering your preferred donor sperm units and storing them with us to ensure it doesn’t sell out. 

  • How much does GeneMatch cost?

    A single GeneMatch test with one donor is 900 EUR. 

  • How do I use GeneMatch?

    GeneMatch is based on a sample of your saliva. Once you have ordered the test, we will send you a saliva kit which includes detailed instructions on how to provide and send your sample. 

  • Do I get a genetic profile?

    No, GeneMatch only determines whether your genes and those of your donor are a healthy match - meaning there is no risk of passing on one of the 400+ recessive genetic diseases screened for by GeneMatch. GeneMatch will not provide a map or report of your entire genetic profile. 

  • Can I request that GeneMatch screens for disorders not included in the test?

    No, the GeneMatch test includes a fixed panel of 400+ conditions. 

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