SPAR - Special Program of Assisted Reproduction
http://www.sementesting.org
SPAR is the only program in the country that uses highly sensitive PCR tests for HIV (and other infectious disease) in combination with "sperm washing" to minimize the risk of transmitting the father's infection to the mother and child during assisted reproduction. These semen tests are also used to monitor HIV and other infectious disease therapy and may help predict therapy failure.
In August, 2007, Dr. Ann Kiessling, founder of SPAR, was interviewed for This Month in HIV - A Podcast of Critical News in HIV on TheBody.com.
SPAR and HIV therapy monitoring website: http://www.sementesting.org
A Brief Overview & History
SPAR started in 1994 as a support group for couples living
with HIV
disease. The goal of SPAR was to use Assisted Reproductive
Technologies to help couples achieve a pregnancy without transmitting
the father's infection to the mother or the child.
The basic premise is that
using sperm from semen specimens with no
detectable virus would decrease the risk of transmitting infection. To
accomplish this goal, sensitive assays for HIV in semen were developed
with grant support from Bedford Research Foundation (formerly Assisted
Reproduction Foundation).
Baby Ryan, the first SPAR baby, was born May, 1999 (www.americanradioworks.org).
Anonymous, Walk In Rapid HIV Testing
Bedford Research Foundation provides walk-in, anonymous, rapid HIV testing
at our Davis Square clinical test laboratory. Using the Oraquick HIV-1
and HIV-2 Antibody Test, patients can get their results in 30 minutes. The
Oraquick
test
requires
only
a simple
finger
prick.
Walk-in hours are held on Fridays from 10AM to 1PM, and by appointment. All
results are delivered by a certified HIV counselor.
There is an $80 testing and counseling fee payable at time of service by
cash or money order.
For more information visit our clinical
laboratory website.
Join Us: Nov 8, 2013: The Activated Egg Symposium with Keynote Mario Capecchi