Cryopreserving semen specimens can provide men facing possible sterilization with new options regarding their reproductive capabilities. 

Reasons for Semen/Sperm Cryopreservation are as follows:

1.     Prior to cancer-related therapies

Therapies used to treat cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, frequently render male patients infertile. Semen cryopreservation prior to the initiation of treatment, offers the possibility of retaining reproductive capabilities for male patients.

2.     Prior to a vasectomy

Cryopreservation prior to surgical sterilization procedures such as a vasectomy would provide an opportunity for children in the future in the event that circumstances change.

3.     “Backup Specimen”

Cryopreservation done in case you are unable to provide a fresh ejaculate on the day that your partner is undergoing an assisted reproductive technology procedure (IUI, IVF, ICSI) will ensure that your semen will be available at the critical time the procedure is being done. 

4.     For high risk occupational exposures:

•Men who are exposed to environmental toxins such as chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, lead, radiation, and an increasing list of agents used in everyday life.

•Professional athletes who risk testicular injury.

•Men in the military.

5.     In times of absenteeism by the husband:

If the husband cannot be available for reproductive procedures (due to job, military deployment, etc.) storing semen allows a wife to continue with the reproductive treatment.

6.     “Pooling”:

If low sperm count has been diagnosed, pooling several previously banked semen specimens to be used for one insemination may increase the chance of pregnancy, however there may be no benefit to this procedure if the patient has a severely low sperm count or a high percentage of abnormal spermatozoa

 

Risks of Semen/Sperm Cryopreservation

1.     Physical Abnormalities in the Offspring

Data from programs all over the world indicate that the risk of physical abnormalities from inseminations using frozen-thawed semen/sperm is no different than inseminations using fresh semen/sperm or naturally conceived children.

2.     Damage to the Spermatozoa During Freezing/Thawing

During the freezing and subsequent thawing processes, the spermatozoa are subjected to different kinds of stress.  Better quality specimens have a higher probability of survival rate after thawing than do poor quality specimens.  Generally speaking approximately 50% of the spermatozoa will remain intact after the freezing and thawing processes. 

3.     Equipment Failure

Cryopreserved semen/sperm specimen(s) are stored in specialized containers that are not operated by electricity, thus a power failure would not affect these specimen(s).  However, unforeseen situations causing damage or loss of the cryopreserved semen/sperm specimen(s), including but not limited to human error, could occur despite the best efforts of Procreative CryoBank.

4.     Length of Storage

Cryopreserved semen/sperm may be stored theoretically for several hundred years in liquid nitrogen.  Historically specimens stored for as long as 20 years have resulted in a successful pregnancy.  In the event that new credible information reveals that stored semen/sperm may suffer damage after prolonged storage, we will notify the patient.