Expanded protocol reflects Xytex’s continued evolution of donor screening as genetic science advances

EVANS, Ga., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Xytex today announced the expansion of its donor screening protocol to include hereditary cancer genetic testing, as the first donor candidates screened under the expanded protocol near completion of the qualification process. The protocol has applied to all new donor candidates since January 2026, with the first qualified donors expected to enter the Xytex donor website soon. 

Xytex began pilot testing Natera’s Empower^TM hereditary cancer test in late 2025. After evaluating how advances in genetic testing could provide additional meaningful information to families and their care teams, Xytex decided to incorporate hereditary cancer testing into its donor screening protocol.

The decision builds on Xytex’s history of adapting its practices alongside developments in reproductive medicine and genetic science. Founded in 1975, Xytex’s history includes early advances in sperm cryopreservation and the continued expansion of genetic screening.

“As genetic science advances, we have to keep evaluating what information can meaningfully inform donor selection,” said Mary Anna Hamilton, President of Xytex Corporation. “Based on what hereditary cancer testing can add to the information already available through our screening process, we made the decision to incorporate it for all new donor candidates. Continuing to evaluate and advance our screening practices is part of our responsibility to the families and clinics we serve.”

Understanding Hereditary Cancer Testing

Hereditary cancer testing expands the type of genetic information considered during donor screening. Unlike reproductive carrier screening, which evaluates genetic variants associated with inherited conditions that could be passed to a child, hereditary cancer testing evaluates certain inherited variants associated with an individual’s predisposition to cancer.

Xytex uses Natera’s Empower hereditary cancer test as part of the expanded screening protocol. Empower is separate from the reproductive carrier screening performed by Natera’s Horizon^TM test and which is part of Xytex’s donor screening process.

“Hereditary cancer testing gives us additional information to consider during donor screening,” said Dr. Todd Spradlin, Chief Medical Officer at Xytex. “It adds another piece of information which intended parents and their care teams can weigh alongside other genetic and health information during donor selection.”

Preparing Families and Clinics for Expanded Screening Information

As donors screened under the expanded protocol become available, their hereditary cancer testing information will be included in their donor profiles for intended parents and care teams to consider as part of donor selection.

Because donor qualification takes time, some donors who entered the Xytex screening process before hereditary cancer testing became part of the protocol in January 2026 will continue to enter the website without Empower testing. Those donors were accepted through Xytex’s established screening process, and the addition of hereditary cancer testing does not change their qualification status.

For more information about Xytex’s expanded donor screening protocol and hereditary cancer genetic testing, visit the Xytex Empower information page.

Xytex Empower information page

About Xytex 

Founded in 1975, Xytex has helped people around the world build their families for more than 50 years. Xytex provides donor sperm supported by extensive donor screening, detailed donor information, and personalized client support. As reproductive medicine, genetic science and the needs of families continue to change, Xytex continues to evolve its practices and services.

For more information, visit Xytex.com.

Media Contact: 
Caroline Yost
Chief Marketing Officer
Xytex
cyost@xytex.com
404-966-2078

Dr. Todd Spradlin, Chief Medical Officer at Xytex, is available for interviews about Xytex’s donor screening practices and the addition of hereditary cancer genetic testing.

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SOURCE Xytex Corp