“What to Do When You Can’t Get Pregnant: The Complete Guide to All the Technologies for Couples Facing Fertility Problems” by D.A. Potter and J.S. Hanin. This book is a stellar comprehensive guide to all of the options couples have when trying to get pregnant – from low-tech and high-tech to alternative medicine and adoption.

“How to Get Pregnant: The Classic Guide to Overcoming Infertility” by S.J. Silber. This is a more technical book with plenty of evidence and critical evaluation of different fertility options.
“In Vitro Fertilization: The A.R.T. of Making Babies” by Sher G. Davis and J. Stoes. Also a solid technical read about IVF – the procedures, costs, biology and psychology.

“IVF: The Wayward Stork – What to Expect, Who to Expect it From and Surviving It” by S.A. Tursi and L.L. McCarthy. This important book explains the supportive relationship that should exist between doctors and patients. It’s a fun read and a great way to prepare for the physical, financial and emotional challenge of IVF.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqcGIVpan5o

If link does not work, cut and paste link into your browser’s search bar

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Cord blood is the blood from a baby’s umbilical cord, which includes stem cells. New usages for stem cells are being discovered every day – the most important is the fact that these cells are being successfully used to treat a vast number of diseases, including cancer, blood disorders, metabolic disorders and osteoporosis.

If you store your baby’s cord blood, it has no expiration date – and could be incredibly valuable in years to come if your child or someone in your family develops any such diseases. The cost to collect and store the cord blood runs between $1500 and $2000, a small price to pay for the potential to save or prolong a life in the decades to come. You can store the cord blood for your own family’s use, or store it publically for other families to use. More than 6,000 people a day are seeking a cord blood transplant.

For more information about cord blood, visit http://www.xytexcordblood.com/cord-blood-banking/

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Here is the link to the form:

http://www.xytex.com/pdf/photomatching.pdf

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Conservatives in the state are trying to get eggs and embryos labeled as “persons”, an attempt that is related to the anti-abortion agenda. Fortunately, sperm donation should not become an issue with this legislation. The bills require informed consents for egg donation and embryo storage, and changes in egg donor compensation. The debate centers on whether or not ego donation should be a viable treatment option for Arizonians. The Arizona Medical Association does not support the bill. Several moms and their children from egg donations have been vocal on the assembly floor about their opposition to the bill, but no medical professionals active in basic research or embryology have been present to discuss opposition.

Here is what the The National Infertility Institute says about this bill (you can read more directly at http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ta_stleg_home):

“SB 1306/HB 2651 discourages egg donor therapy by outlawing the compensation traditionally provided to those who donate eggs for infertile couples. All this does is under-compensate valuable medical donors and discourage them from helping people who want to have a baby. Arizona would be the first state in the United States to deny egg donors appropriate compensation.

Egg donation therapy is the standard of care for many couples - including young women who have undergone lifesaving cancer treatment and women facing the heartbreak of premature ovarian failure. We strongly object to the Arizona legislature in effect telling a young cancer survivor that she now needs to plan the additional expense of traveling for infertility treatment because there are no donors in Arizona to offer the treatment that will give her the chance of having a child.

When the United Kingdom removed compensation from egg and sperm donation in 2004, the number of donors dropped drastically. Instead of waiting years for one of the rare donors, couples turned to medical tourism, leaving the country for their medical treatment. Couples in Arizona will likely follow the same path, leaving for other states — if they can afford the time and expense. If not, their dreams of a family will end.

Furthermore, SB 1306/HB 2651 is designed to discourage doctors from providing donor egg treatment by imposing a raft of new informed consent requirements coupled with harsh penalties - loss of medical license - if a doctor does not follow the new rules to the letter. The informed consent rules themselves contain inaccurate and purposefully scary language that would, again, discourage even the most compassionate women from donating eggs.

Women who choose to donate their eggs so that other families may have the chance of having a child, do so voluntarily. Studies have shown that many of these women are familiar with infertility from watching a family member or friend go through this devastating disease. ASRM guidelines provide that egg donors undergo careful screening, and they receive excellent medical care by the same reproductive endocrinologists who treat the hopeful parents. Like all doctors, infertility specialists provide patients, including egg donors, with appropriate information for informed consent. SB 1306/HB 2651, with its scary additional language, clearly has an agenda to discourage treatment via egg donation, heedless of the harm this could do to infertility patients who need the treatment.”

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Cord blood is the blood that remains in a baby’s umbilical cord after delivery. Stem cells are called the “building blocks of life” because they can become virtually any cell, tissue or organ in your body. For example, during a stem cell transplant (a common treatment for certain cancers like leukemia), transplanted stem cells regenerate into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, and help restore a healthy blood and immune system..

State Senator Leonard A. Fasano, (a Republican from North Haven), is one of the legislators who is working toward a public bank for Connecticut. In early February, Fasano and other legislators invited medical professionals to a forum to discuss how private cord blood banking would work. He hopes to present legislation for a public cord blood bank next January.

Currently, there is only one bank in the state. The privately owned bank takes in 60-70 samples a month and the protected samples can only be used by the person who donated them thus insuring availability to the samples when-ever needed by the person who stored them.

A public bank would allow anyone to access the cord blood and public banks also donate the stored blood to science. Would you prefer to know that your cord blood is safe and available to you at anytime, or risk not knowing when or where cord blood will come from to aid your child?

Xytex, a private bank, processes and stores cord blood from across the United States and is available to any person who wishes to protect the value of their child’s cord blood thus insuring an instant match when their child is in need of a cord blood treatment.

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A physical examination for evidence of sexually transmitted diseases

A complete blood count

Blood typing

HIV 1 and 2 antibody testing

HIV/NCV NAT

Hepatitis B surface antigen

Hepatitis B core antibody testing

Hepatitis C antibody testing

Syphilis serology

HTLV I and II antibody screening

Full genital culture which includes testing for gonorrhea

Urine PCR testing for gonorrhea and Chlamydia

Urine testing for trichomonas

Genetic testing for cystic fibrosis

Genetic testing for hemoglobinopathies

Chromosome analysis

And, if the donor is African-American, Jewish or Mediterranean, he is tested for Sickle Cell, Thalassemia, Tay Sachs, Canavan and Gaucher.

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At Xytex, we check donors for both active and inactive infections. Like many other viruses, the virus remains in the body and goes dormant after the infection (this is true of chicken pox, herpes, etc.). Any donor testing positive for an active infection is not allowed to donate sperm. However, there may be some donors that have an inactive infection. Patients should always talk to their doctors about how that status may or may not affect their individual situations.

For more information on CMV, visit an earlier post:

http://www.spermbankinformation.com/2008/06/02/cmv-and-donor-selection/

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Men often think that a vasectomy can be reversed, and go forward with the process even though doctors urge the patient to think of it as a permanent situation. Unfortunately, life situations change and many men find themselves seeking vasectomy reversals, which are not always successful. Military men, or men that work around substances such as insecticides, radiation, fungicides, herbicides and heavy metals, should also consider storage as an option.

Xytex has more than 30 years of experience in storing sperm, also known as cryopreservation. Research shows that sperm can be successful frozen and remain viable for many years, even decades.

It’s easy to store your sperm. If you live in Atlanta or Augusta, Georgia, visit one of our offices. If you live outside that area, call 800-277-3210 for a secure Cryokit. Xytex has trained personnel available Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to discuss your questions about proper collection, pricing, shipping, etc. When the time comes for you to get your stored sperm and begin a family, call us and we will arrange shipment

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A native of the United Kingdom, Dr. Tucker is a graduate of the School of Medicine at the University of Birmingham, England. He has worked across the world – including the University of Adelaide, Australia, the University of Hong Kong, El Instituto Para El Estudio de la Concepcion Humana in Mexico and the University of Pennsylvania. He founded the Georgia Reproductive Specialists clinic in Atlanta, and has served as a consultant for Reproductive Science Associates of New York and as Scientific Director at Chicago’s Fertility Centers of Illinios. He is extensively well-published (including two text books on assisted reproduction), and considered a leading researcher. His specialties include gamete/embryo micromanipulation, the paternal influence of embryogenesis, genetic analysis of embryos and embryo cryopreservation.

In other words, big congratulations to Xytex for hiring such a brilliant doctor – who will most certainly continue to set the bar of excellence high at the company!

Tucker had a few words to say about joining Xytex:

“Here at the beginning of a new year and a new decade, it strikes me that for over a quarter of a century Xytex has thrived by virtue of the quality of its service, ethics and integrity and yet as a company it still remains a partially hidden gem in the industries that we serve,” he said.

“So there seems no better time than this to provide this gem to families in need of fertility and family health services as we enter 2010, and look to expand our services both nationally and internationally. As we do this in an appropriate and intelligent way, maybe we’ll be seeing XCI transform from a humble yet diligent hedgehog into a proud and an even more prickly porcupine ready to protect and serve new families everywhere! In any event, we will continue to provide some of the best service in the industry, and stick to assisting the world with fertility and family health assistance.”

Here’s Dr Tucker talking about his work with Georgia Reproductive Specialists: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXbapBcfBxU

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I’m your new all-things-blogging expert here at Xytex. I’ll be keeping you updated on the latest trends, research and thoughts about sperm donorship, cord blood banking, fertility and the like. I’ll also keep you posted on the goings-on at the company.

I encourage you all to check the site daily for new posts, and to interact via comments with any questions, concerns and feedback you might have.

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One in seven couples worldwide are infertile.

However, a closer look at this number reveals an interesting statistic. While 75% of that infertility can be explained by issues such as low sperm count, poor quality sperm, tubal blockages, lack of ovulation - the other 25% is most likely related to the late age at which many women decide to get pregnant.  A woman who waits until her late 30s or early 40s to start a family is playing a very difficult game. At this point, fertility is dramatically reduced. This is why new technologies such as long-term ovarian tissue storage should be consider by any couple planning to start a family past age 35.

Xytex is one of the few companies that has the capacity for long-term storage.  To start reading up on more reasons to plan for a fertile future, check out this article from the United Kingdom:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/women_shealth/6651648/Fertility-stop-all-the-clocks.html

Thoughts? Would you consider this option?

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Follow Xytex Cryo International and Xytex Cord Blood on Facebook, Twitter and via RSS feed. Look forward to March, when Xytex will feature a new blog-space for you and your friends. Our current blog at www.xytex.com is still welcome for all.

© 2010, Xytex Cryo International, Ltd.

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During a CBS news report, correspondent Kathy Walsh commented on cord blood education when asked why every parent is not storing their child’s umbilical cord blood. Walsh responded, “You wonder that don’t you? Well first of all some don’t really know much about it and secondly, most are uncertain of [what is] involved.”

The story of Chloe Levine is an excellent example of the medical achievements made through cord blood banking and usage. Chloe’s parents were wise enough to bank their daughter’s cord blood. While still in utero, Chloe suffered a stroke leading to cerebral palsy. Chloe was treated with her own cord blood which was privately banked for her future protection; her parents didn’t realize that she would actually have to use her cord blood or how soon.

From being unable to walk, use her right hand or develop language skills, Chloe is now talking, dancing and even driving a small 4-wheel vehicle around her family’s property.

For more information on cord blood banking with our Xytex Cord Blood Bank, contact Jill Taylor at jtaylor@xytex.com or reach Jill when you call 877.505.4346

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Victoria Bean is our newest Medical Lab Technician in the Augusta office. Victoria is originally from Maryland, has traveled extensively working in medical laboratories across the United States. An avid billiards shark, and hiker, Victoria’s insight and well rounded talents truly add to our well established lab team.

Originally haling from Fort Hood Texas, Jackie Chrisp, our new Business Development Associate brings several years of experience in the publishing, marketing and management arenas. Both inspiring and engaging, Ms. Chrisp has an insatiable drive to provide the best for our extended family.

Recently moving from Hawaii to Georgia, our new Vice President of Sales and marketing, Erik Dos, was the sales manager for Asia Pacific Medical Technologies, overseeing distributors and sales staff, across south-east Asia. One of the most humble people you might meet, Erik is also one of the most successful leaders in our field and we are quite proud having him aboard.

As Xytex Cryo international opens new offices across North America, we will soon have our new donor center open in New Jersey led by Kevin Kessler, PhD. For those in the New Jersey and Manhattan area of New York who have wished to become donors with Xytex, or those who have required long-term storage for future use or for medical reasons, Kevin will now be available to assist in making these services available.

Our Atlanta office has been delighted with the recent full-time employment of Jill Taylor as our Cord Blood Patient Representative. Jill has been part of the Xytex family for over a year and is now available full-time to all mommies-to-be registering for Cord Blood storage.

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When Christopher Karow, son of our founder, Dr. Armand Karow, first asked me to ‘write a few words’ for Dr. Karow’s column, my thoughts were: I’m no great storyteller, no philosopher, and definitely not funny enough to waste print space. But then I got to thinking that Christopher himself had been prepared to inspire everyone here at Xytex with tales of doughty hedgehogs thwarting predators and maintaining dignity and integrity along the way, and so, trusty quill in hand, I’ll attempt to commit a few words to print.

Let me say what a wonderful welcome over the past months I have received from all at Xytex Cryo International (henceforth referred to by me as XCI), whenever I have made my occasional forays to visit either the Peachtree Road office in Atlanta, or the home office in Augusta!

Characteristic of everyone’s attitude has been to reach out to me, help me, correct me when I get names or positions muddled, and most of all I have experienced a warmth and willingness to share whatever knowledge and time anyone might have to spare as I have bounced around the offices. When I first was approached to help out XCI as the new CEO, I suppose I thought, “What on Earth would a ‘sperm bank‘ want to use me for? I’m just a young embryologist and comrade of Dr. Karow.”

How foolish of me, as I continue to absorb the details of XCI services, and the ramifications of those areas of operations. Nevertheless, it seems like most everyone seemed to take the time to listen to whatever I have chosen to ask or say. This ability to listen within the Xytex family - to truly listen, I believe, is a core value of the company; and as such it is probably one of the hallmarks of XCI’s services in general.

An essential first step to reaching out to others is taking the time to listen, and feel like their questions and concerns are being heard and understood. We may not always be able to respond immediately, but just knowing that there is an audience, and a willingness to try to respond is essential to doing good business and maintaining the family focus.

More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that the individual providing the service is also invested in the process, and that their time and service means something. We all like to think that what we do is worthwhile, and it’s this ability for a job to provide a sense of purpose that keeps us going, even when things get complicated and difficult. The thing is, as I discovered working in IVF and infertility therapy, the services we provide at XCI are very real and ‘human’ - for the want of a better word - and I truly think that is what gives what we do an edge over many other fertility and family health organizations. The results of our labors, as it were, are often central to peoples’ lives whether it is directly through family building, or providing hope and potential security of health for the future, all achieved with technology that is as fascinating as it is successful.

The XCI focus on quality of service is a second key element to the success of the Xytex family, and as I sit hear at the close of one year, looking forward into the beginning of a new year and a new decade, it strikes me that for over a quarter of a century XCI has thrived by virtue of the quality of its service, ethics and integrity and yet as a company it still remains a partially hidden gem in the industries that we serve.

So there seems no better time than this to provide this gem to families in need of fertility and family health services as we enter 2010, and look to expand our services both nationally and internationally. As we do this in an appropriate and intelligent way, maybe we’ll be seeing XCI transform from a humble yet diligent hedgehog into a proud and an even more prickly porcupine ready to protect and serve new families everywhere! In any event, we will continue to provide some of the best service in the industry, and stick to assisting the world with fertility and family health assistance.
~ Cheers, Tucker

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AGDP has approved and started development of a database prototype to track
anonymous sperm donors. This is the first combined effort by donor sperm
providers to establish a prototype database. AGDP is creating the database
prototype as a public service.

The prototype may be the first step towards establishing a permanent gamete
donor registry that will be donated to an independent group to further
develop and manage to meet the possible expanded needs of a working
registry.

The long term expectation of the AGDP is that all FDA registered gamete
donor organizations will participate in this effort. Information about
membership in the AGDP will be available in the near future.

SOURCE Association of Gamete Donor Providers

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Xytex Cryo International, LTD has experienced a positive revenue stream that is an inspiration during these economic times. Formerly Xytex International, LTD, the Augusta, GA based company, founded in 1975 by Dr. Armand M. Karow Jr., Xytex Cryo International, LTD also unveils its new name as it celebrates the first distribution of cash dividends

The Board of Xytex Cryo International, LTD extends thanks to all of the shareholders for their trust and continued support. The investment of the shareholders and many other stakeholders across North America, Europe and Australia, has allowed Xytex Cryo International, LTD to expand services to include cord blood collection and processing, and continued advances in diagnostic programs.

“It is a blessing to enjoy the growth and success of our company during these tough economic times. We are very happy to have the ability to share the positive growth of our company and to be an example of the stability of medical professions and research,” stated Xytex owner Ramona Karow.

Xytex states that it attributes the increase in revenue to the strength of a superior customer service and logistics team that goes above and beyond the call of duty insuring positive relations with physicians and patients alike.

About Xytex Cryo International:
Xytex Cryo International has been building and protecting families since 1975. A worldwide leader in tissue storage and research, Xytex Cryo International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen, Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc., which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and tissue, Xytex Cryo Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies.

For more information, please visit www.xytex.com.

###

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Evans is responsible for support of all Xytex International sales and marketing efforts, including territory activities, in-house sales support, product, project and market-segment management, key national and international accounts, development of marketing programs and recruiting and training.

Evans has nearly 10 years’ experience as an executive administrative assistant and prime and sub-prime loan processor and originator. She has worked in healthcare, finance and real estate. She attended Mercer University.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

###

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She is responsible for providing customer service support to Xytex International clients, including assisting patients with questions and concerns, taking orders for units and protecting customer confidentiality.

Lowry is a resident of Martinez. Prior to joining Xytex, she was the office manager at Simply Automotive, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Augusta State University.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

###

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Karow will be responsible for developing new business plans for tissue storage and cryopreservation in emerging markets for the U.S. and internationally, as well as reporting communications to shareholders, employees, future business partners and the public.

Karow is a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, and has 22 years’ experience in marketing and communications. He is a former copywriter, editor and media buyer for Davis Newman Payne in Knoxville, Tenn., and a marketing program director for the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Ga. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Georgia and an Associate of Arts in Urban Studies and Business from Georgia State University.

He also serves on the Board of Directors for Xytex International and is the son of Xytex founder Dr. Armand M. Karow Jr.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

###

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That’s exactly what Xytex Cord Blood Bank is doing as it debuts its Cord Trust Program this month, which provides cord blood banking services at no cost to families with a demonstrated medical need. “We think that every expectant family should consider banking their baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells,” said Charlie Walker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Xytex International, the bank’s parent company. “But for those families with a child already diagnosed with a disease treatable by cord blood stem cells? It’s imperative that they look into cord blood banking. Through our Cord Trust Program, we can help positively impact the outlook for expectant families with a sick child. This is the type of program that reflects the philosophy of our late founder, Dr. Armand Karow.”

The program covers all cord blood banking services, including enrollment, a specially designed collection kit for the physician’s use, processing of the collected cord blood sample, as well as up to 10 years’ storage and transportation fees. To qualify, families must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having a child diagnosed with a disease where stem cell transplant is a standard treatment, as well as a referral form completed by an oncologist or other specialist.

Through private cord blood banking, families can choose to save the stem-cell rich blood from their baby’s umbilical cord. The cord blood is collected minutes after birth, and must be processed within 48 hours. The stem cells from the cord blood are then cryopreserved using liquid nitrogen and can be used at any time to treat diseases like leukemia and lymphoma.

“Cord blood banks universally agree that while we hope you never have to use your baby’s stored cord blood stem cells, we know that you’re glad they’re there if you do,” said Walker. “Thanks to this program, our bank is able to help those families where cord blood stem cell transplant is an option right now. That’s a great feeling.”

For more information about the Xytex Cord Trust Program, visit www.xytexcordblood.com.

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Drake is responsible for overseeing front office operations, reception and client relations; handling customer and quality concerns; and managing various financial functions related to billing and collections.

Since October 2005, Drake has been an Accounts Receivable and Client Relations Specialist at Xytex International. Prior to joining Xytex, she was a front office supervisor at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel (now the Marriott Hotel & Suites). She also holds a degree in business management with a focus in accounting from Corning Community College, Corning, NY.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

###

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The challenge is that women’s fertility peaks in their 20s, and once a woman is 35 or older, her fertility drops dramatically. “But for women who are unable to have children in their 20s, whether due to their career, a lifestyle choice, or a health reason, there are options available to help women realize their dreams of having children in the future,” said Angela Beausejour, Tissue Bank Coordinator for Xytex Tissue Storage (XTS).

Option #1: Embryo Storage.
The creation of embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF), which combines an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which injects a single sperm into an egg, can often help women with infertility issues or women who have delayed childbearing to successfully become pregnant.

After a woman undergoes ovarian stimulation, her eggs are retrieved, or women may opt to use donor eggs. Combined with sperm from a partner or from a donor, the resulting embryos would then be implanted in a woman’s uterus or stored for future use. “Typically, women going through IVF or ICSI may wish to store embryos for future cycles to eliminate the need for additional ovarian stimulation and egg retrievals in the future,” said Beausejour.

About 12 percent of the reproductive-age population is affected by infertility, according to the CDC’s National Survey of Family Growth, 2002. Embryo storage can effectively help about one-third of those with infertility issues achieve their dreams of having a baby, according to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Option #2: Egg Storage.
Egg storage holds promise in particular for female cancer patients who are facing infertility after chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, but may also be an option for women who wish to extend their childbearing years.

About 200 births from frozen eggs have been reported worldwide. Because of the low number of births, women should be aware that egg storage is an option more highly recommended for patients facing cancer or other surgeries who have fewer options. However, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine notes that there is potential for clinical application thanks to new egg freezing techniques such as vitrification, and egg retrieval and freezing is currently offered by a number of fertility clinics for both cancer patients and women wishing to preserve their fertility. “Frozen eggs may then be transferred to a long-term storage facility like XTS, and later thawed and fertilized by an infertility specialist using IVF or ICSI techniques,” said Beausejour.

Option #3: Ovarian Tissue Storage.
Breakthroughs in assisted reproductive techniques are also allowing women to save ovarian tissue. ASRM also continues to view ovarian tissue cryopreservation as experimental. However, fertility specialists can retrieve pieces of ovarian tissue, freeze them carefully and re-transplant them following cancer treatments. Children and teens who are cancer patients, as well as women who do not have time for egg retrieval prior to the start of chemotherapy or other treatments, may be candidates for ovarian tissue storage and retransplantation.

“Anyone interested in preserving their fertility should work closely with their fertility specialist to discuss the right option for them,” said Beausejour. But advances in freezing techniques have made more options available for women than ever before.

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Young will oversee all human resources functions at Xytex, including managing payroll and adjustments and assisting with the hire of new employees.

Prior to joining Xytex International, Young provided human resources administration and handled payroll for Advanced Services, Inc., and was an assistant customer service manager for Publix Supermarkets. She holds a BA in Business Management from Augusta State University.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

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At the October 7 annual meeting of the shareholders of the stock company, Julian Osbon, Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xytex International, announced that the founder’s wife, Ramona, and sons, Jonathan and Christopher, were elected to the Xytex International Board of Directors. As newly elected Directors, they will carry on Dr. Karow’s legacy.

Married to Dr. Karow in 1964, Mrs. Karow is a former educator and holds a bachelor of science in education from Mississippi College. She is an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Rho chapter, and a Stephen Minister in association with Stephen Ministries. She is a former member of the American Home Economics Association and a former officer and member of the Faculty Wives of MCG.

Christopher Karow recently joined Xytex International as a specialist in business development, educational programs and ethics. He is a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a former marketing program director of the Coca-Cola Company. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Jonathan Karow is the founder and president of Rock Bottom Music, which was established in 1998. He is an active supporter of the growth and restoration of Augusta and Aiken’s downtown business and arts districts, and is a retail partner with NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

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Jacobs joined Xytex International in October 2007 as staff accountant. She is responsible for completing various accounting functions related to posting and reviewing general ledger entries, reconciling accounts and subsidiary ledgers, assisting with budget preparation and preparing financial statements.

Previously, Jacobs was the assistant controller for Neff Rental, Inc.’s Atlantic region and the office manager and accountant for PHC Weight Loss & Wellness Centers and BNJ, Inc. She has more than 17 years’ accounting experience.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

###

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“We understand that in today’s economic climate, it might be tough for a family to make an investment in cord blood banking,” said Charlie Walker, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Xytex Cord Blood Bank. “That’s why we’ve worked hard to keep our fees low compared to other cord blood banks. But especially with the holidays coming up, we wanted to help families interested in cord blood banking by providing special pricing during this time of the year.”

During the month of December, Xytex Cord Blood Bank is offering enrollment, processing and one year of cord blood stem cell storage to all new enrollees for $1,235, a savings of $240 from the normal rate of $1,475. The rate is guaranteed regardless of the mother’s due date, as long as the enrollment is received by December 31.

For more information or to enroll, visit www.xytexcordblood.com.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

###

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As part of Georgia-based Xytex International, a cryobank specializing in the storage of reproductive tissues and cord blood, Xytex Research examines the latest techniques for the processing and storage of reproductive and other tissues. “Thanks to the support of leading scientists in the fields of tissue storage and tissue engineering, Xytex Research can help ensure that Xytex International remains on the cutting edge in terms of the best and latest processes for the storage of tissues to help benefit families across the globe,” said Dr. Ying Song, Scientific Director, Xytex Research.

Dr. Tucker is Scientific Director and Co-Founder of Georgia Reproductive Specialists in Atlanta. He is also Laboratory Director at Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center in Rockville, Md.; Off-site Laboratory Director at the Mississippi Fertility Institute in Jackson, Miss.; Off-site Laboratory Director at Reproductive Associates of Delaware in Wilmington, Del.; Scientific Consultant at IntegraMed America in Purchase, NY; Scientific Consultant at Reproductive Science Associates in Mineola, Long Island, NY; Scientific Director at Fertility Centers of Illinois in Chicago, Ill.; and Off-site Laboratory Director at Maine Reproductive Health Center in Portland, Me. Dr. Tucker has published more than 125 peer-reviewed papers and speaks internationally on the topic of infertility and IVF. His research interests include assisted reproductive technologies and IVF, as well as oocyte and embryo cryopreservation.

Dr. Niklason is an Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Biomedical Engineering as well as a member of the Vascular Biology and Transplantation Group at Yale University. She is a leading international figure in cardiovascular tissue engineering, and is a practicing intensive care unit physician. Dr. Niklason’s research projects involve various topics in vascular biology and tissue engineering, which include the role of gene therapy approaches in human cellular lifespan extension, the molecular drivers of vascular cell differentiation from marrow-derived stem cells, and the etiology of delayed cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. She has received continuous National Institutes of Health funding since 1995, is currently the primary investigator on three NIH grants, and holds subcontracts on several other NIH awards.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

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My partner, at the beginning less assured and more apprehensive than I, came around rather quickly to the idea, and with the utmost respect said she would never take away my right to have a child, and loved me too much to ever leave me because that was my desire. We forged ahead and began our journey.

I could go on and on about what we tried, when and how, to achieve our pregnancy. But the focus here is on sperm donation and in particular, our experience with Xytex. My partner is African American and I am of Italian descent. From the onset of our search for a donor and for the right bank, we wanted an African-American donor, as I would be carrying the baby with my egg. We were surprised to find that African-American donors are more difficult to come by in comparison to their Caucasian counterparts. I came across Xytex and found that the selection was far larger at the time than many of the other leading sperm banks. Our finances were limited and when we realized they had a credit line you could apply for, we began looking even closer at their selection of African-American donors.

When I first saw an adult photo of our donor, who is anonymous, I knew he was our donor. I’m not sure why or how I knew that, whether it was the look in his eyes, his smile or simply his overall good looks that initially drew me in. When I studied his profile, I was further assured, finding him extremely smart, a ‘thinker’ if you will–introspective, well intentioned and with a wonderful medical history. There was no doubt that he was ‘the one,’ and when I shared his profile with my partner, she too was immediately drawn in, making our decision very easy.

We purchased three vials. I spoke at length on the phone with Phoebe, who never tired of my endless questions about her impressions of the donor, and always showed me the greatest level of patience and understanding. Really, Phoebe and her opinion of our donor helped me to eventually decide on him.

Our first cycle of trying ended in a devastating early miscarriage. However, the second cycle of trying ended in the creation of my most prized possession, the love of my life, our son, who was born on December 22, 2006. He is everything I perceive our anonymous donor to be. I am astounded at how smart he is, how handsome he is, and thankfully how healthy he is. He is all I ever could have wished for.

Since our son’s birth, we have kept in touch with Xytex and have become very well acquainted with both Amber and Mary. We are in desperate need of more vials as we are certain now that we would like our son to have a sibling. When you have a wonderful experience with one donor, and they ARE the other half of your child, it is difficult to imagine using another. We have been placed on a waiting list and hope that over the course of the next year or so, we will be able to purchase further vials.

Recently we were contacted by Xytex. They had reached out to our donor in an attempt to reinstate him in the program for another couple. He informed Xytex that he had recently developed kidney cancer and shared that the prognosis was good, and that he had the tumor removed surgically and did not require any further treatment. Xytex informed us of our donor’s updated medical information. While one might say that is what should have been done, I was grateful that they were forthright with the information. I was further impressed with our donor for sharing the information with Xytex when again, in our world today, he didn’t have to, and many would not have.

As the mother of my child, I have experienced very mixed feelings over the past 21 months of his life regarding the anonymity of our donor. While in the beginning it seemed to be a less important consideration, there is a part of me now that wished he were open identity, for my son’s sake. Upon the knowledge of our donor’s medical developments, I asked Mary if she would ask him if he would be open to hearing from us, the recipients. She was ever so helpful and contacted him and asked him if he would be open to receiving a letter I had written to him. He responded saying that he was not comfortable with it at this time, but that his feelings may someday change.

I am comforted to know that Amber and Mary know of our desires both for future vials from our donor as well as our desire to reach out to our donor. I trust them, as I trust Xytex wholeheartedly and thank goodness that we chose this bank to work with on the growth of our family, the most important decision we have ever made. If we do need to use another donor for our next child, I really have a difficult time imagining using another cryobank, and am almost certain that we would again use a donor from Xytex.

Thank you, Xytex, for all you’ve done for us.

If you are interested in sharing your story for an upcoming issue of Xytex Xtra, please contact Danielle Moores at dmoores@xytex.com.

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Lopez had a powerful reason for her interest in cord blood banking-a strong family history of leukemia. “My 45-year-old grandfather, my six-year-old brother and my 30-year-old father all died from leukemia,” said Lopez. She and her husband, Caesar, are already parents to three-year-old Corion. “I couldnt afford to do it the first time, but I was always interested in it,” said Lopez, “mainly because I have a son and it seems all the men in my family have that trait.”

Due in March, Lopez hasnt learned the sex of her second child, but she is grateful to have won this gift for her family. ‘It just gives you such peace of mind,’ she said.

Are you interested in learning more about cord blood banking? Call 800-277-3210 or visit www.xytexcordblood.com.

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However, because treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can harm a person’s fertility, sometimes permanently, young patients and patients in their childbearing years should talk to their physicians about their fertility options prior to cancer treatments. These options include:

• Banking sperm or embryos prior to treatment
• Asking about banking eggs, ovarian or testicular tissues, procedures that are still being studied and may be available at certain centers in the U.S.
• Discussing other options after treatment, such as donor sperm or eggs, surrogacy or adoption

Options for Men
Men wishing to store sperm prior to cancer treatments have two options: locating a lab or bank nearby where they can complete the process in person or shipping samples to a bank for long-term storage. For example, men living near Atlanta or Augusta, Ga., can leave samples at Xytex Tissue Storage’s offices in person, and complete all necessary labwork and paperwork there too. Or, XTS can provide an easy-to-use Cryokit (TM) to anyone across the U.S. The in-home collection kit includes instructions, supplies, bloodwork requisitions (to be taken to a lab close to the client’s home) and an express return label. Once the kit is returned to the bank, the samples are placed into long-term storage. In both cases, a semen analysis report is provided regarding the quality of the banked samples.

Men should allow at least a week prior to cancer treatments in order to bank a sufficient number of samples. About three samples (obtained after 24 hours of abstinence) is recommended.

At a later date, the cryopreserved sperm may be thawed and used for ICI (intracervical insemination), IUI (intrauterine insemination), IVF (in vitro fertilization, which involves combining sperm and egg in a laboratory dish) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which is injecting a single sperm into an egg). Families should discuss the best method of insemination with their health care provider.

Options for Women
Women who wish to preserve their fertility prior to cancer treatments also have two options: egg or embryo storage. In both cases, women would undergo ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. With egg storage, the eggs would then be frozen and transferred to a cryobank for long-term storage; with embryo storage, eggs would be combined with sperm (either from a partner or a donor) to create embryos, which would be frozen and transferred for long-term storage. Patients should be aware that the process takes about two to three weeks and that a stimulation cycle could trigger some tumor growth in certain cancers like breast cancer. It’s important that women with cancer carefully discuss the pros and cons with their oncologists prior to treatment.

Other Options
Ovarian tissue and testicular tissue, once retrieved and cryopreserved by a physician, can also be stored by cryobanks like XTS.

Should there not be enough time prior to treatment to store, cancer patients can still explore other options to realize their dreams of having a family, including donor eggs and sperm, as well as surrogacy or adoption.

A diagnosis of cancer doesn’t guarantee a loss of fertility. Certain treatments may affect fertility for a short time, permanently, or in some cases, not at all. However, all patients are encouraged to talk to their physicians before their cancer treatments and explore all their options.

For more information about sperm, embryo and reproductive tissue banking, contact Xytex Tissue Storage at 800-277-3210 or visit www.xytextissues.com.

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Within 30 days of the thaw date, please contact us and we will provide your physician with a lab report form. This lab report asks for the donor number, lot number, patient name (if the patient was invoiced for the shipment), thaw date, and the sample evaluation prior to any further processing. The sample evaluation should include the count, motility and kinetics. A Credit Memo will be written and the lab report will be reviewed by our clinical operations director. A phone call to the physician may be necessary to obtain further information. If the sample is found to be below our quality commitment, Xytex will provide you with a replacement sample.

We try to complete the Credit Memo process as quickly as possible. To ensure a timely response to your request, be sure to provide Xytex sperm bank with the lab report as soon as possible. Remember, a report of a poor-quality sample must be sent to Xytex sperm bank within 30 days of the thaw date in order to be considered for replacement. Also note that any further processing of the samples by your doctor voids the Xytex quality commitment.

Our greatest concern is that you receive samples that are of the highest quality, and we are happy to work with you to ensure that your shipment meets our quality commitment.

–Ronda, Client Relations Specialist

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In his newly created position, Walker will be responsible for continued growth of the company by managing the overall direction of all sales and marketing activities for Xytex Cord Blood Bank, Xytex Corporation and Xytex Tissue Storage, including the development of a nationwide sales force.

Walker has nearly 20 years’ experience in sales and marketing. Previously, he was Director of Sales and Marketing for North Augusta Riverfront Company and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Modern Business Systems. He spent a decade working in medical sales and sales management at Osbon Medical Systems.

An Augusta native, Walker has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Georgia.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing, Sales and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

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ART stands for Assisted Reproductive Technology. These vials are intended to be used for procedures where reproductive technology is required, such as IVF or ICSI. In these procedures, fewer cells are needed. At Xytex sperm bank, ART vials have a quality commitment of 15 million motile cells per milliliter, which means 7.5 million motile cells per .5 mL sample. Typical units for those undergoing IUI or ICI insemination have a quality commitment of 30 million motile cells per milliliter, or 15 million motile cells per .5 mL sample. It is helpful to note that a normal sperm count in a typical “fresh” sample is 20 million motile cells per milliliter, or 10 million motile cells per .5 mL.

Xytex Donor Semen
30 million motile cells per milliliter
15 million per .5 mL sample

Xytex ART Vials (fewer cells required)
15 million motile cells per milliliter
7.5 million per .5 mL sample

Normal sperm count
20 million motile cells per milliliter
10 million per .5 mL sample

If a patient is undergoing an IUI or ICI insemination, but the donor has only ART vials available, the patient can still use ART vials. At Xytex, we recommend that the patient purchase two ART vials for the doctor to process and combine for an IUI insemination. Two ART vials can be used without further processing for an ICI insemination. By combining the vials, you increase the number of motile cells.

Because fewer cells are required for ART vials, these vials are available at a lower cost. At Xytex sperm bank, anonymous donor ART vials are $280 each and Identity Disclosure donor ART vials are $380 each.

While not all donors have ART vials available—and the ones that do have ART vials may have a limited supply—they are a good choice for those patients undergoing IVF or ICSI. To learn more, call Xytex sperm bank’s Client Relations Specialists at 800-277-3210 or visit www.xytex.com.

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1. Regulation: Sperm banking, which includes the screening and testing of sperm donors, is an increasingly regulated activity. Effective on May 25, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commenced its regulation of reproductive tissue banks (21 CFR Part 1271). The FDA’s regulatory focus includes standards for the screening and testing of donors and proper record keeping procedures. Since these regulations became effective, all major sperm banks have been audited for compliance by the FDA through on-site inspections. FDA inspections will be performed on a continuing basis.

   In addition to federal regulation, most major sperm banks are also licensed and inspected by several states, particularly New York, California, and Maryland. Licensing by state agencies began as early as 1992.

   Although not having the force of law, sperm banks also have conducted operations consistent with the guidelines and/or standards of professional organizations such as the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).

   Notwithstanding the regulatory oversight of government agencies and professional associations, most sperm banks have exercised self-regulation consistent with the highest medical and ethical standards. In fact, most major sperm banks were performing more than all the tests required by the FDA several years prior to the FDA’s effective date, and with greater frequency than required by the FDA and other regulatory agencies.

2. Statistics: The popular press often cites the number of anonymous donor inseminated births per year at 30,000. Although no industry-wide statistics are maintained, an unpublished survey conducted by the AATB suggests that a more accurate figure would be 4,000 to 5,000 donor inseminated births per year. (This is calculated based on 1.5 vials per insemination, a 10% pregnancy rate per cycle, and a 20% spontaneous miscarriage rate.) By extrapolating this annual figure, the total number of anonymous donor inseminated births is estimated to be less than 130,000 over the last 30 years.
3. Limitations on Donor Distribution: All surveyed sperm banks use some type of standard to limit the number of births attributable to any one donor. Some use the actual number of births while others use the number of family units. For example, one standard used is the guideline of the ASRM, which is currently 25 births/donor per 800,000 (1 birth per 32,000) in a circumscribed population, i.e., the population surrounding the location where donor inseminated births are reported as occurring. Another method to limit the number of donor inseminated births is to establish an absolute number of births per donor, e.g., 10. Reports of a donor having many offspring should be viewed in the context of such births typically occurring throughout the nation, and not in a limited area. Notwithstanding the standard used to limit the number of births per donor, sperm banks do not limit the number of births within a family unit, thereby permitting full siblings via donor insemination.
4. Donor Information: As part of the screening process to determine donor eligibility, sperm banks gather a great deal of family (3 generations) and personal medical history. In addition, while donating, donors are given physical examinations every six months, and are also tested for a wide array of infectious diseases at least every six months. Most sperm banks also perform chromosome analysis (karyotype) and test for many common genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis in the general population, and genetic conditions common to certain ethnic groups (e.g., sickle cell trait for African Americans). Donors are interviewed extensively to check for consistency and accuracy of reported information. In addition to the screening and testing of donors used to establish medical eligibility to donate, sperm banks also offer other “soft” information on its donors such as childhood photos, personality tests, audio interviews, staff impressions, and personal profiles. It has been said that the amount of medical and personal information on an anonymous donor greatly exceeds the knowledge most people have of a known partner. The FDA requires that donor information be maintained for ten years, although most sperm banks keep such information indefinitely.
5. Donor Anonymity: The maintenance of donor anonymity is essential to the availability and quality of donors. There are those who believe that the identity of all donors should be known, and such disclosure is, in fact, required in a number of countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia. But the consequence of this requirement has been a severe shortage of donors, since most donors do not want to be known. However, the industry is sensitive to the desire by some for “known” donors as an alternative to anonymous donors. Consequently, now most of the major sperm banks offer donors who have agreed to have their identities disclosed to their offspring at age eighteen. Interestingly, known donors are not selected disproportionately more than anonymous donors. Since it is clear that many want their donors to remain anonymous, sperm banks do not think it is wise to destroy the anonymous status for ALL donors. To do so would breach the contracts and representations made to donors and to those who selected an anonymous donor, and eliminate for a large segment of potential users of sperm donors the much wanted option to select a forever anonymous donor.

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According to Kevin O’Brien, President of Xytex Corporation, the country’s top three banks have met with other sperm and egg banks, family legal experts, physicians, industry groups and counselors from across the U.S. to discuss how a registry like this could be created, what it would contain and how it would be managed.

“There are a number of benefits to creating a registry like this,” said O’Brien. “The primary purpose would be so that every donor record could be kept and maintained, in order to preserve the records linking a child to his or her genetic origins. In addition, the registry would collect and store medical information on donors. This way, even if a program should close, this valuable information is never lost.”

Countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia have issued government mandates to create a national registry. According to O’Brien, the U.S.’s top three sperm banks decided to move proactively, ahead of a government mandate. “Such mandates in other countries have led to a loss of donor anonymity, which could have a detrimental effect on the willingness of donors to participate in our programs,” said O’Brien. “While many of our donors choose to participate in our Identity Disclosure program, we must continue to respect and honor the requests for privacy both from donors and families.” Xytex’s Identity Disclosure program puts a child in contact with his or her donor upon request at age 18.

Oversight of the non-profit registry would be handled by a board of directors elected by members, made up of both sperm and egg donor agencies, family legal experts, physicians, industry groups and counselors. Requests for specific information would continue to be directed to the sperm or egg donor agency, as long as it is still in existence. “Because of the close relationship that banks have with both donors and families, the sperm or egg bank will remain the main contact and information source,” said O’Brien.

While the proposal continues to be under discussion, O’Brien anticipates that the registry should be ready to launch within the year. “This is a priority for us as a community,” he said. “Our founder, Dr. Armand Karow, who passed away last year, began the discussion of this registry a few years ago. This was a dream he had, and we’re pleased to work together to make it a reality.”

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A consultant in the manufacturing industry, she decided to take action at age 38 when Mr. Right hadn’t yet made an appearance. “If I had had a choice, I would have hoped to first find a partner in life, but if in today’s world, that doesn’t work out, I would encourage women not to put their baby plans on hold,” said Jean.

Jean chose a donor from Xytex and started on the journey on becoming a single mother by choice. Actually, she ended up choosing two donors. “When I first started looking, I was over intellectualizing it, scrutinizing a spreadsheet of all the different qualities I wanted,” said Jean. She chose one donor, but “it just didn’t feel right.” So after a few cycles, she decided to let instinct take over, and simply selected the donor who felt right to her. Her only stipulations: that he was ID disclosure, and that he had blue eyes. “Both parents have to have genes for blue eyes in order for a child to have blue eyes,” explained Jean.

Another thing that was important to her were photos. “I had to see the adult photo,” said Jean simply. “I didn’t consider anyone without an adult photo.”

Her instincts paid off. “I wanted this so badly that I bought three boxes of pregnancy tests,” admitted Jean with a laugh. After two weeks, she saw the line starting to be faintly blue, and her breasts were a bit sore. “I had a hunch that this was for sure, but I was holding my breath.” More positive tests and then the confirmation that she was indeed pregnant—with twins! “It just couldn’t have worked out better,” said Jean.

Her sons, Jaden and Jacob, were born December 14 by vaginal delivery. Her days are full now with new smiles, feedings, dirty diapers (many of those), those rare moments when both are asleep at the same time and glimpses of their two different personalities. “When I walk by the crib, I just shake my head with wonder, I can’t believe they’re here and that I have them.”

And for other single women who may be in her situation, Jean offers these words of encouragement: “If you can financially support being a single mother, go for it. It’s very life-enriching—it changes your life. I know my life would have been empty without it, and I didn’t want to risk being 80 years old and childless, just sitting in a rocking chair, alone. That wasn’t an option for me.”

If you are interested in sharing your story with Xytex, please contact Danielle Moores at dmoores@xytex.com.

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Children conceived using sperm donors should be told of their origins at an early age, research suggests.

A Cambridge University team talked to 165 children conceived this way, and found those not told until the age of 18 often felt shock and anger.

But a European reproductive health conference was warned once children know, they may want to seek out their biological parent.

A UK patient group urged parents to be open from children from the start.

The study is one of the first to compare the views of the offspring of donor insemination told of their origins during childhood with those who only found out in adulthood.

The offspring, aged 13 to 61, were all on the US Donor Sibling Registry, which helps offspring search for their biological parent and any siblings.

The majority live in the US, with 2% living in the UK.

They were all asked to fill out an online questionnaire.

Assimilation

The results showed around 60% of children being brought up in single parent or same-sex parent families were told about their origins before the age of three, compared with just 9% of children of heterosexual parents.

A third of children of children in heterosexual parents only told their children after they turned 18.

Donor offspring who were told after the age of three were asked how they felt when they discovered how they were conceived, with those who were younger excluded as they would have been too young to recall their response.

The earlier someone was told, the better, the study found.

Over two thirds of those told when they were over 18 reported feeling confused, compared to a third of those told when they were aged four to 11.

Similar differences were seen in the numbers who reported feeling betrayed or anger at being lied to, shock and numbness.

A woman aged 30, who found out how she was conceived in her late teens said: “I would have appreciated revelation of this information much earlier in my life.

“Learning of my biological identity at 17 years of age was a traumatic event.”

However, a 13-year-old who found out aged four said: “I was so young I don’t remember feeling much more than interested and curious.”

Dr Vasanti Jadva, of the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge, who led the work, said: “It appears it is better for children to be told about their donor conception at an early age.

“This finding is in line with research on adoption, which also shows that children benefit from early disclosure about the circumstances of their birth.”

But she said it was important to recognise that telling children might trigger curiosity about their biological parent, and they may want to contact them.”

Olivia Montuschi, of the UK’s Donor Conception Network, said: “We advocate openness from the beginning, from before a child reaches five.

“We even encourage talking to babies about how they were conceived, not because they will understand, but so that parents can practice talking about the issue and get used to the language they want to use.”

She added: “If parents do it this way, there is no big revelation. It just becomes one of the things a child knows about itself.”

Details were presented to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Barcelona.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7493073.stm

Published: 2008/07/07 10:30:06 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

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What are the requirements?
The requirements for becoming a sperm donor are very high, and qualifying to be a sperm donor is not easy by any means. Most sperm banks will reject more than 95% of all donor applications for a myriad of reasons that most men would not think of. Of course you have to be in excellent physical health and normally between 18 and 35 years old, although many sperm banks do have donors up to 40 years old. You must also be free from any sexually transmitted diseases, not a heavy drinker or smoker, and free from any serious genetic disorders which may be transferred to your progeny. You will have to pass a physical examination and supply blood and urine samples, which will undergo further disease testing in the laboratory. The physical exams and testing process can take several months before a donor qualifies.

Your parents’ and grandparents’ medical history will be necessary along with yours of course. If your parents are deceased, then you will need to explain why and how it happened. If you were adopted as a child and do not have medical records of your biological parents, you may be disqualified because family history is important when selecting a donor candidate.

What about the commitment?
Being a sperm donor requires a serious commitment to the entire process. You must be willing to make visits to a fertility clinic or sperm bank 1 to 3 times per week for at least six months while your semen samples are tested, frozen, thawed and re-tested for conditions such as HIV and other diseases with an incubation period. You should expect to have at least an hour or more to dedicate to visits each week. Sperm donors must be re-evaluated through laboratory screenings, medical history updates and physical examinations at least twice a year.

What should I expect?
The first step in becoming a sperm donor is to complete the donor questionnaire from a sperm bank. where you must answer questions about your personal life and health habits. You can also expect to have to take a full physical examination and medical testing such as providing blood and urine samples. Donor candidates may be interviewed by trained counselors for information about their personality, behavior and health.

If your family and personal medical history are acceptable, then your provided samples will undergo an extensive evaluation and semen analysis. Your sperm are to be tested to ensure a suitable sperm count volume and other factors that will determine semen sample quality. Sperm donors must have a higher than average sperm count because the freezing process can affect a certain number of viable sperm cells. You may be asked to visit again for a follow-up exam in three or six months for various reasons such as incubation times for certain diseases or conditions.

You may be asked to provide photograph and you will need to decide if you want to remain anonymous or if you want to participate in an Identity Disclousure Program. You can expect to be reimbursed per specimen after approval.

Why should I do it?
As stated, there are as many reasons to be a sperm donor as there are sperm donors in the world, but many donors truly enjoy the experience and are happy to be able to help others build a family when they may not have ever been able to do so without a donor. You can read a donors story “Why I became a donor” in our previous blog post.

Where should I go?
You will have to find a local sperm bank where you can participate in their donor program. If you live in Georgia, try contacting Xytex about their donor program.

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The personality analysis is generated in the form of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS), first published in 1978 by Dr. David Keirsey. Since then, this 70-question personality instrument has been used by universities, employers and government agencies all over the world, and has helped people gain insight into themselves and the people around them.

These 15-page reports are available for select donors directly from the Xytex web site. Patients can easily see which donors have this informational option available by utilizing the advanced search tool on the site. They may then use the information in these reports to aid in donor selection and then keep the information to share with their future children.

Along with the personality evaluations, Xytex also offers childhood and adult photos for many donors, downloadable audio interviews with donors, as well as PhotoSpans, a series of five photos of the donor from infancy to adulthood. For more information, visit www.xytex.com.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

For more information, please contact:
Sheridan Rivers
Director of Sales
Xytex Corporation
706-733-0130
srivers@xytex.com

###

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CMV may be transmitted in milk, saliva, urine, cervical secretions, semen, and transplanted tissue, including blood. The virus is not readily transmitted by casual contact. Most adult infections are asymptomatic, and the remainder (approximately 10 percent) have cold or flu-like symptoms or an illness similar to mononucleosis.

Approximately 1 percent of American neonates are infected with CMV. Congenital CMV infections almost always are a result of primary maternal infection, meaning the mother became infected with CMV for the first time while pregnant. Only rarely is it a result of reactivation of dormant maternal infection. Congenital CMV infections range from asymptomatic to severe and disseminated. Most of these are asymptomatic at birth, but over subsequent years significant psychomotor, hearing, ocular, or dental abnormalities will develop in 5 to 25 percent of these infants. Overt disease is present in approximately 5 percent of infected fetuses; of these, 30 to 50 percent develop brain development abnormalities.

Generally, after a person becomes infected with CMV, the virus goes dormant but remains in the body, similar to the behavior of the viruses that cause cold sores, genital herpes, and chickenpox. In certain circumstances, the virus may reactivate with or without symptoms, and during this time the person may be contagious. Tests for antibodies to CMV can distinguish between current (recent) infection and past (inactive) infection. Persons with current or recent infection have IgM antibodies to CMV in their blood; once the infection is over, these antibodies disappear from the blood. Persons with past infection have IgG antibodies to CMV; these antibodies remain in the blood indefinitely.

Xytex tests its donors for IgG and IgM antibodies to CMV at least every six months. Approximately 60 percent of our donors are IgG positive, in line with statistics in the general population. All of our donors are IgM negative; we do not accept semen from IgM positive donors.

Xytex urges you to discuss the issues of CMV with your doctor. After all, your doctor is the best person to explain how these issues pertain to your individual situation. Most likely, you are already seropositive (IgG-positive) for CMV. Even if you are seronegative, your risk of being infected with CMV from an IgG-positive donor (who is IgM-negative) is very slight. The CMV status of each donor is listed in his basic profile on the Xytex website.

–Dr. J. Todd Spradlin, Medical Director, Xytex Corporation

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1. Regulation: Sperm banking, which includes the screening and testing of sperm donors, is an increasingly regulated activity. Effective on May 25, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commenced its regulation of reproductive tissue banks (21 CFR Part 1271). The FDA’s regulatory focus includes standards for the screening and testing of donors and proper record keeping procedures. Since these regulations became effective, all major sperm banks have been audited for compliance by the FDA through on-site inspections. FDA inspections will be performed on a continuing basis.

In addition to federal regulation, most major sperm banks are also licensed and inspected by several states, particularly New York, California, and Maryland. Licensing by state agencies began as early as 1992.

Although not having the force of law, sperm banks also have conducted operations consistent with the guidelines and/or standards of professional organizations such as the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB).

Notwithstanding the regulatory oversight of government agencies and professional associations, most sperm banks have exercised self-regulation consistent with the highest medical and ethical standards. In fact, most major sperm banks were performing more than all the tests required by the FDA several years prior to the FDA’s effective date, and with greater frequency than required by the FDA and other regulatory agencies.

2. Statistics: The popular press often cites the number of anonymous donor inseminated births per year at 30,000. Although no industry-wide statistics are maintained, an unpublished survey conducted by the AATB suggests that a more accurate figure would be 4,000 to 5,000 donor inseminated births per year. (This is calculated based on 1.5 vials per insemination, a 10% pregnancy rate per cycle, and a 20% spontaneous miscarriage rate.) By extrapolating this annual figure, the total number of anonymous donor inseminated births is estimated to be less than 130,000 over the last 30 years.

3. Limitations on Donor Distribution: All surveyed sperm banks use some type of standard to limit the number of births attributable to any one donor. Some use the actual number of births while others use the number of family units. For example, one standard used is the guideline of the ASRM, which is currently 25 births/donor per 800,000 (1 birth per 32,000) in a circumscribed population, i.e., the population surrounding the location where donor inseminated births are reported as occurring. Another method to limit the number of donor inseminated births is to establish an absolute number of births per donor, e.g., 10. Reports of a donor having many offspring should be viewed in the context of such births typically occurring throughout the nation, and not in a limited area. Notwithstanding the standard used to limit the number of births per donor, sperm banks do not limit the number of births within a family unit, thereby permitting full siblings via donor insemination.

4. Donor Information: As part of the screening process to determine donor eligibility, sperm banks gather a great deal of family (3 generations) and personal medical history. In addition, while donating, donors are given physical examinations every six months, and are also tested for a wide array of infectious diseases at least every six months. Most sperm banks also perform chromosome analysis (karyotype) and test for many common genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis in the general population, and genetic conditions common to certain ethnic groups (e.g., sickle cell trait for African Americans). Donors are interviewed extensively to check for consistency and accuracy of reported information. In addition to the screening and testing of donors used to establish medical eligibility to donate, sperm banks also offer other “soft” information on its donors such as childhood photos, personality tests, audio interviews, staff impressions, and personal profiles. It has been said that the amount of medical and personal information on an anonymous donor greatly exceeds the knowledge most people have of a known partner. The FDA requires that donor information be maintained for ten years, although most sperm banks keep such information indefinitely.

5. Donor Anonymity: The maintenance of donor anonymity is essential to the availability and quality of donors. There are those who believe that the identity of all donors should be known, and such disclosure is, in fact, required in a number of countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia. But the consequence of this requirement has been a severe shortage of donors, since most donors do not want to be known. However, the industry is sensitive to the desire by some for “known” donors as an alternative to anonymous donors. Consequently, now most of the major sperm banks offer donors who have agreed to have their identities disclosed to their offspring at age eighteen. Interestingly, known donors are not selected disproportionately more than anonymous donors. Since it is clear that many want their donors to remain anonymous, sperm banks do not think it is wise to destroy the anonymous status for ALL donors. To do so would breach the contracts and representations made to donors and to those who selected an anonymous donor, and eliminate for a large segment of potential users of sperm donors the much wanted option to select a forever anonymous donor.

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However, if you’ve found your dream donor and won’t settle for anyone else, we do have a pending list available. A pending list is a list of people waiting on a specific sperm donor. These people will be contacted first when units are available. Although Xytex cannot guarantee that units will be released on a sperm donor, being on a pending list is your best chance of getting units. We would not be able to tell you the exact date of the next release, but can give you an idea if the sperm donor is still active. Typically once the donor’s blood is drawn, it takes three weeks to receive the completed and passing lab results and paperwork to start calling the patients on the pending list.

Depending on how many units are released will determine how many people are called. Each person called from the list will receive 24 hours to return the call and is able to purchase up to eight units. If you are on a donor’s pending list and you are notified of the donor’s availability but do not call back, your name is dropped from the list and the next person is contacted. If we do not make it to your name on the pending list, your name will remain until the next release. There is a $25 pending list fee that is charged when you make a purchase. If you do not place an order, there is no fee involved.

A pending list is also available for our retired sperm donors. Xytex sperm bank stores units on site for patients for months and sometimes years. Occasionally, a patient will have leftover units after her treatment has been completed. A patient may have a retired donor on reserve and then cancel her ownership of those units. These units would then be offered to the first name on the pending list. This has helped a lot of past clients fulfill their dreams of having a biological sibling for their child. If you are waiting on units for a second pregnancy, please inform the client relations specialist. Those who are trying for a second baby with the same sperm donor will have the opportunity to purchase units from their donor before those clients who do not already have a child with the donor.

I really hope that everyone is able to get their first choice sperm donor. Going through all the profiles and deciding who will be the biological father is a complicated and important choice. Xytex sperm bank is here to help you and wants you to feel comfortable with your selection. If you ever just need to talk through your selection or would like staff impressions, Xytex’s client relations specialists are eager to help. We will be happy to place you on a pending list for your sperm donor and contact you as soon as those units are available.

–Amber, Client Relations Specialist

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Yes, the bank you choose can make a huge difference in your sperm bank experience!
While many prospective parents will spend hours or even days and weeks
searching sperm donor profiles
full of descriptive information in their search for the right donor, very few of them will spend the same amount of
time and energy to find the right sperm bank. Regardless of the regulations in the industry, not all sperm banks
provide the same services and choosing the best sperm bank for you can make this important process much easier and more successful.
It is not recommend that you find a sperm donor based on the donor’s profile or photographs alone without first learning about the
sperm bank to determine if it suits your individual needs. A large number of the determining factors for finding a sperm bank for
you are very technical and can be confusing for the average person. It is suggested that a patient ask their doctor or possibly
their fertility specialist which sperm bank they deal with or recommend to their clients. If you plan on using a certain doctor
for the procedure, then you really should consider asking if they have a preference what sperm bank you should use and why.
Here are some common factors everyone should consider when selecting a sperm bank clinic for a sperm donation.

Has the sperm bank been certified?

Sperm banks in the United States should be certified by either the American Association of Tissue Banks
(AATB) or their
respective State Health Agencies under the
Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendment
(CLIA). Tissue banks certified by the AATB must pass more stringent requirements than those that are only CLIA certified. The better sperm banks in America are AATB and CLIA certified and the very best are also ISO 9001:2000 compliant. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) publishes a well respected set of guidelines that most sperm banks in the U.S. will follow. You should always ask a sperm bank what accreditations they have before you begin selecting donors.

What types of screening does the sperm bank perform?

Probably the most important step any sperm bank during the sperm donation process is to screen semen donors and the
semen donation in order to lessen the potential risk from harmful diseases or genetic disorders. Sperm banks will also
measure the collected sperm’s motility, or its ability to move about independently, to insure the health and viability of
the semen sample. There are many questions to ask a sperm bank but here are a few pertaining to screening:

• Are physical exams that include blood testing given to each sperm donor?
• How many generations does a sperm bank go back into a donor’s family medical history?
• Is each sperm donor personally interviewed by the sperm bank’s trained staff?
• Does the sperm bank perform chromosomal analysis or genetic screening?

Here is a donor sperm screening guide example with details on what steps a sperm bank should take to screen sperm donations.

Is the medical history of a donor tracked by the sperm bank?

Having a sperm donor’s medical history tracked is important when you consider that your donor may develop some genetic
disease after you have already had a child using his donated sperm. There is an obvious risk that your child could develop
the same disease later on in life and having this information would allow you to take preventive action to protect your child
which in select cases can make a real difference. It is important to ask a semen bank that you are considering if they track
the medical history of every donor and whether or not they intend to notify you or your healthcare provider of any problems or
issues that may arise in the future.

Are donor pregnancies tracked or limited by the sperm bank?

Tracking the pregnancies from each donor is considered important for two main reasons.
The first reason is of course to know whether or not the donors sperm is viable or capable of
fertilizing a human egg. The second reason and more important reason for monitoring these pregnancies
is to know how many pregnancies a donor has had so they can limit the number of children from any one
donor and therefore lessen the chances of any widespread problems should any issues such as an undetected
genetic disease are discovered after a child is born. There is currently no law that limits the number of
pregnancies allowed from any one semen donor, but most medical professionals will agree that the number should
be kept low so as to avoid complications among other offspring conceived by the same donor. Many sperm banks
will follow their own set of guidelines to limit the number of pregnancies from one of their donors. The ASRM
recommends limiting the number of pregnancies for each donor to 40. It is unfortunate that tracking pregnancies
from sperm donors is difficult sometimes because women are often so busy with being pregnant and then parents to
their newborn child that many of them neglect to report the successful pregnancy.

Will the sperm bank perform a freeze test and ship sperm in nitrogen?

Some donor semen handles the freezing process better than others will. Every sperm bank should perform a freeze test to determine how well the semen freezes and thaws. Sperm donations can only be preserved for long periods of time by storing them in subfreezing temperatures (-196 F) but care must be taken to freeze sperm gradually in order to avoid “freezer burn” of your donor semen. The better choice for shipping or transporting human semen is in a dry nitrogen vapor dewar. A dewar looks much like a thermos that has been charged with liquid nitrogen in order to maintain the freezing temperatures during transport or delivery of the sperm donation. Human sperm should remain viable in this nitrogen tank for as many as seven days or sometimes longer if the dewar has been completely charged. Some semen banks will suggest dry ice as a more affordable shipping option but most fertility professionals do not recommend its use and prefer the nitrogen dewar system.

What type of cryoprotectant does the bank use durig the freezing process?

Sperm banks must use a cryoprotectant in order to improve the freezability of the semen sample and to aid in the sperm freezing process. Certain cryoprotectants have been known to cause an allergic reaction which in some cases can be considered serious. One example of cryoprotectant allergies would be egg yolks which have been proven to cause complications of allergic reactions in certain cases where glycerin is considered a safer choice by most medical professionals. You should ask your practitioner to suggest which procedures he or she feels more comfortable with.

How many years has the sperm bank been in operation?

Human tissue preservation and semen donations have been around for over 30 years now and one must think that the longer a
sperm bank has been in operation then the more experience with customers and customer service they are likely to have.
Established sperm banks generally meet the more stringent requirements of the AATB as well as CLIA and have been around
long enough to feel safe with. This is not to mean that newer sperm bank clinics offer inferior service it just means
that with age comes experience.

What is the sperm banks reputation and history of customer service like?

We live in the information age and it’s become almost too easy to research companies like sperm banks online and to
investigate how they conduct their business or what their reputation is. From simple web searches for the sperm banks
company name to corporate filings, business reports and even the BBB there are numerous
tools available online for researching sperm banks. Careful consideration of each of these points while
looking for sperm banks will help you find the right bank for you. The best sperm bank is one that offers the specific
services necessary for your individual needs. Selecting the best fitting sperm bank for you will help a difficult process
go easier for you and your hopeful child.

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When I heard the radio spot about Xytex, I saw it as an opportunity to help. My wife and I had both talked about this in the past, specifically her becoming an egg donor.

Because others in our families had fertility difficulties, we had always considered donating if we could.  My sister was adopted and my parents had trouble conceiving me, and in my wife’s family, her uncle also had extensive issues conceiving. For us (because it was our decision), it was an opportunity for us to give back. Since we had no trouble with fertility, and we already had a family of three children, we decided to try and see if I could help others.

The first time I went to Xytex, I was very nervous and even had trouble sleeping the night before…I didn’t know what to expect. But the folks at Xytex put me at ease. 

So now, I’m making the 20-mile roundtrip drive to Xytex, watching my intake of caffeine and generally taking care of myself. We use the compensation I receive for activities for our children, all of whom are very involved in extracurricular activities. While the schedule can be difficult, I enjoy knowing that I’m helping people, and I’ve also enjoyed the company and friendship of the group at Xytex.

More recently, I’ve begun wondering if I have any children and what they’re doing and how they’re doing. My wife and I felt strongly that it’s only fair that any children are able to find out information about me once they reach the age of majority. The whole concept of being born and growing up in a situation where offspring are misled about who they are or resent when they can’t find information about their donor isn’t something I support. So, it was any easy decision to become an ID-release donor.

I suspect that most people view sperm donation as college kids out for a quick buck, and maybe that is why some men contribute, but there is more.   Most of the people I have met seem to have other reasons beyond money on why they are there.   I know I do, and as for the radio spot I heard, I asked the counselor at Xytex about it, and she chuckled and told me they only ran that spot once.

Donor 9877

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Even though she’s officially known as one of Xytex’s client relations specialists, Caroline Calloway knows that her real job is being a cheerleader, a helper, a listener and a friend.

For the past five years, Caroline has been one of the friendly voices that clients talk to when they call Xytex Corporation to ask about a potential donor, how to place an order and how orders are shipped. But even more than that, Caroline and the rest of the team provide encouragement, support and a willing ear when clients need someone to turn to. “What I love is knowing that I’ve helped someone who may have been upset when they first called but who are laughing or telling me, ‘Thank you for taking the time to listen’ by the time we’re finished,” said Caroline.

In Xytex’s busy office, Caroline can answer up to 100 calls and emails a day. And she admits sometimes getting teary right along with patients who call her. “But every time we send out an order and get that call three weeks later from a mother saying, ‘I’m pregnant!’ it’s a blessing. This job is my pleasure, it’s all of our pleasures.” One of her greatest thrills is when she can add another baby photo from a happy mother to her already crowded bulletin board.

While she’s been in the business of helping families, Caroline says her job has in fact helped her own family. A mother (and soon-to-be young grandmother) to three children, 19, 17, and 16, Caroline calls her role at Xytex “an answer to prayer” since it has allowed her to spend more time with her growing children. When she’s not working, she’s busy with her family—whether it’s cheering them on during games, applauding during school band concerts or relaxing on the weekends. “I think because I’m a mom, I understand that desire when you’re trying to become a parent, and it makes me that much more helpful,” said Caroline. “We all want to have a family and be happy, and that’s what Xytex is here for.”

We understand that choosing a donor can be a very personal and sometimes difficult decision. If you have questions or need a friendly voice to talk to, please contact Caroline or our other Client Relations Specialists at 800-277-3210, or visit our website, www.xytex.com, to experience our interactive messaging function. We’re here from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

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Here at Xytex, we work every day to bring the joy of children into people’s lives. Now, with Xytex Cord Blood Bank, we continue working with families to help ensure your children’s future health.

By banking your child’s umbilical cord blood stem cells, these cells are readily available should your child or a related sibling need them to treat a disease in the future. This could be particularly important for children born through third-party reproduction who have only one genetically related parent. It is also important in those families with a history of cancer or other diseases.

Thanks to stem cells, scientists believe that one day nearly every disease known to man could be treated and cured. Currently stem cells are being used to treat more than 80 diseases, including cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, genetic diseases and immune deficiencies.

As a part of the Xytex family, we’d like to offer you special savings off our standard costs. For expectant mothers pregnant through our donor sperm as well as XTS clients, we are pleased to offer 50 percent off Xytex Cord Blood Bank’s processing and testing fee. You will receive:

• One-time enrollment, including the collection kit
• Processing and testing (at a 50 percent discounted rate)
• First-year storage

But while standard first-year costs total $1,475, your first-year costs are $875 as a thank-you for being part of the Xytex family.

To take advantage of this offer and enroll in the Xytex Cord Blood Bank program, please call 800-277-3210 to request a free information kit or visit www.xytexcordblood.com to learn more about the benefits of banking your child’s umbilical cord blood stem cells.

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Augusta, GA — If only the Tin Man had known about this.

Thanks to stem cells found in a baby’s umbilical cord blood, scientists believe that one day nearly every disease known to man — including the need for a heart transplant — could be treated and cured. It’s a future that Xytex International foresees for families as it launches the area’s first cord blood bank in spring 2008.

“When parents choose to bank their baby’s cord blood, they are choosing to make an investment in their family’s future,” said Dr. Ying Song, Director of Research at Xytex International, the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank. “Cord blood currently has the ability to treat numerous diseases — including cancer, genetic disorders and immune deficiencies — but research is finding more applications every day, with especially promising work in the field of regenerative medicine.” In regenerative medicine, new blood vessels, tissues, even organs like the heart or liver could be regrown from a baby’s cord blood stem cells and later transplanted without fear of rejection.

While saving cord blood is a personal decision that is different for every family, certain families may want to consider the question even more carefully. These include families with:

• A history of cancer or genetic disease. As cancer rates continue to rise, this disease is a risk even for those without a family history. But by storing your child’s cord blood stem cells, families can help ensure a viable treatment option down the road, should it ever be needed.
• A child with cancer or genetic disease. Sibling to sibling donations of cord blood stem cells, particularly in the cases of children with leukemia, are often a perfect match. And a New England Journal of Medicine study has found that the one-year survival rate for recipients of cord blood from related donors is 63 percent, compared to only 29 percent for recipients of cord blood from unrelated donors.
• A child with only one genetically related parent (via surrogacy or reproductive tissue donation) or if a parent was adopted. In this case, cord blood stem cell storage may offer the best opportunity for a perfect match.

Research in the use of stem cells has often focused on embryonic stem cells, raising multiple ethical issues. In contrast, cord blood stem cells are obtained from the umbilical cord following a baby’s birth and are free of ethical issues. “Birth is the one chance to save and store these valuable stem cells that more often than not are simply thrown away,” said Dr. Song.

After they are collected and processed, cord blood stem cells are cryogenically preserved and stored at Xytex’s Augusta site. With no “expiration date,” these stem cells are readily available whenever they are needed.

“Many would-be parents may be completely unaware that they have the option to save their child’s cord blood,” said Dr. Song. “Our goal is to help educate our community on the benefits of cord blood banking so they can make the best choice for their family.”

For more information on how to store your child’s cord blood, please visit www.xytexcordblood.com.

About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

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Parish joined the company in 2002 and is responsible for all corporate finance matters including financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, financial operations, divisional finance, internal audit, and international finance. Along with providing the vision and leadership for developing and implementing information technology initiatives in alignment with Xytex’s business strategy, he has overall responsibility for the planning, delivery, and maintenance of cost-effective technology solutions needed to support Xytex’s various business groups.

Previously, Parish was Finance Director at the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, Director of Finance at Augusta Regional Airport and Controller/Human Resources Director for Progress Rail Company’s Augusta Division. He is a Certified Professional Manager by the Institute of Professional Managers at James Madison University and is a Certified State Financial Manager by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. He has earned the Certified Management Accountant designation from The Institute of Management Accountants.
 
About Xytex International:
Xytex International has been enhancing lives through cellular ingenuity since 1975. A worldwide leader in reproductive tissue storage and research, Xytex International is made up of Xytex Corporation, which provides donor semen; Xytex Tissue Storage, Inc. (XTS), which provides long-term safekeeping of reproductive cells and is the parent company of Xytex Cord Blood Bank; and Xytex Research, which works to improve reproductive tissue technologies. For more information, please visit www.xytexinternational.com.

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For more information, please contact:
Danielle Wong Moores
Director of Marketing, Sales and Corporate Communications
Xytex International
706-733-0130
dmoores@xytex.com

Sheridan Rivers
Director of Sales
Xytex Corporation
706-733-1030
srivers@xytex.com

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