HTLV-III Antibody Testing in Sperm Donors

To the Editor: Anticipating that semen donors for our artificial-insemination program could be carriers or transmitters of human T-cell lymphotropic virus Type III (HTLV-III), we have begun to test semen donors for antibodies to HTLV-III in order to protect semen recipients. We are using a modified standard blood-bank consent form that informs semen donors that their blood will be tested for antibodies to HTLV-III. Although we try to choose donors with the least risk for transmitted disease, it is nevertheless helpful to have objective measurements. We anticipate that this will become routine practice in the United States and elsewhere, just . . . No extract is available for articles shorter than 400 words.