PLEASE READ THE FAQs IN FULL BEFORE EMAILING US WITH QUESTIONS:
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take for the frozen test yolk buffer (TYB) to thaw from frozen to room temperature? About 15-30 minutes.
- The test yolk buffer and ice pack arrived to my donor completely thawed, is my kit still usable? Yes, test yolk buffer refrigeration medium can be completely thawed and refrozen at least once without issue. We expect it to thaw en route to your donor; Donor should pop it (and the ice pack) back in the freezer as soon as it arrives.
- The kit my donor overnighted me arrived, and the sample was room temperature — will it still work? Yes, sperm do best at a temperature between 4 degrees Celcius (39 degrees F) and room temperature, not too hot, not too cold.
- Does test yolk buffer contain egg yolk? Yes, each vial contains 20% egg yolk – from USDA certified Specific Pathogen Free (Virus Free) laying flocks, heat inactivated at 56° C for 30 minutes. Do not use if you are allergic to egg yolk.
- Does test yolk buffer contain an antibiotic? Yes, 10µg/mL Gentamicin Sulfate. If you are allergic to similar antibiotics such as amikacin, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, or tobramycin, you may also be allergic to gentamicin.
- How long does the test yolk buffer last, does it expire? If kept in the freezer, test yolk buffer will last until the expiration date on the vial. We buy new batches often, so expect your kit to contain a TYB that will last a few to several months. Email us if you would like to know the exact expiration date on the TYB you’ll be receiving.
- How do I know this really works, are there studies? Unfortunately as of yet there is not enough interest in the scientific community to conduct evidence-based studies on this method of family building. What we know is that it works all the time! Please feel free to shoot us an email if it works for you, and include a testimonial if you’d like.
- You send kits to donors using overnight delivery, what time should my donor expect the kit to arrive? By 8pm. If you’d like to pay extra to have it arrive earlier in the day, we can try and arrange this. This is not always possible, especially at rural addresses.
- My donor lives in an apartment building, will the delivery driver leave the package in the lobby? It is up to the delivery driver’s discretion whether or not they leave a package in an apartment lobby. If it doesn’t seem secure to do so, they will leave a note for the donor with instructions on how to pick up the package at a nearby FedEx/UPS location. This can result in the package not being available until the next day.
- Do you require a signature for delivery? No, but if you’d like us to require a signature, please let us know when you place your order. We do not recommend this generally, since if no one is home to sign for it, this can also cause delivery delays.
- My donor lives outside the United States, can you ship internationally? We do not ship internationally, but we are happy to ship to you, and you can then ship the kit to your donor yourself. Your goal would be to get it there as quickly as possible (i.e. overnight shipping) and to keep the vial from getting hot in the summer months (past customers have used extra ice packs or extra insulation material that they acquired on their own.)
- I mistakenly ordered a kit or changed my mind, do you offer refunds? We charge a $20 processing fee for refunds, so you will get your money back, minus $20. Make your orders carefully!
- I want to do an intrauterine insemination (IUI) with the sample that my donor ships to me, is this safe? Yes, a trained healthcare professional (midwife, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, doctor) can “wash” or spin the sample as they normally would to prepare it for an IUI.
- My midwife would like to offer me an IUI, but isn’t yet trained to wash samples and/or perform IUIs. Is there a place you recommend she seek out training? Have your midwife email us and we can connect her with virtual IUI classes/training.