Risk assessment on change of testing requirements for partner donation of reproductive cells

An important part of the ECDC's function is to provide its stakeholders with scientific advice upon their request (Regulation EC/851/2004). ECDC received such a request from the European Commission on 11 May 2010. ECDC was asked to estimate the change of total risk of exposure to hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) during reproductive cell handling and storage for secondary parties, if testing donors of reproductive cells, in partner donation (not direct use (as defined in Commission Directive 2006/17/EC), would occur once a year or twice a year compared with the current scheme of testing at each donation. Partner donations are donations where a couple with difficulties to conceive receives (medical) assisted reproductive services to help with conception and in which only the couples' own reproductive cells are used. The question was also limited to situations where the reproductive cells are stored for some time before their use.