OVERVIEW:   Cryopreservation of human semen specimens has been performed since the 1950's. The bulk of the research and technological advancements were initially performed in laboratory and farm animals, leading to the application of these techniques in humans. Cryopreservation and storage of sperm cells has become commonplace today.  The sperm cells remain in a state of "suspended animation" as long as the specimens are stored at liquid nitrogen temperatures.  Since long term storage occurs in liquid nitrogen, the tanks or containers used for storage are independent of electricity. However, no storage tank is infallible and no act of nature is completely predictable.  When the specimens are thawed, about 50% of the initial motility can be recovered, but this varies from patient to patient.  There are documented pregnancies resulting from specimens which were frozen for up to 20 years, which is good news for young cancer patients.  However, most patients will choose to use the specimens before that time.  Based on current scientific knowledge, there has been no increase in abnormalities or birth defects in children born from frozen specimens.

REASONS FOR SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION:  In general, there are several reasons a patient may choose to cryopreserve semen specimens for use in the future.  The patient may need to be out of town at time of wife’s IUI; he may need a specimen in storage for IVF backup; he may be undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, or vasectomy; or he may have an impending military deployment.  The patient must be under the care of a licensed physician and willing to pay fees associated with sperm cryopreservation and storage.  The specimens can be stored for as long as the patient desires, provided all conditions of the storage contract are met and storage fees are paid.  Patients can choose to discard their specimens at any time.  

HOW TO ARRANGE FOR SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION:   In order to have sperm cryopreservation and long term storage, the patient must make an appointment for sperm cryopreservation.  When he arrives for his appointment, he will sign a consent form for sperm cryopreservation and storage, and pay all of necessary fees, which include the fees for the semen analysis, sperm processing for cryopreservation, and the first year of storage.  The patient will be billed annually thereafter for storage.   At this time, he will also be asked to make an appointment with his physician to discuss the results of the semen analysis of his cryopreserved semen sample and his options for future conception.

HOW SPERM IS CRYOPRESERVED:  When a semen specimen is cryopreserved, a semen analysis is done to evaluate the quality of the specimen; the semen specimen is processed, a cryoprotectant is added, and the resulting solution is allocated into specimen vials that are labeled with the patient’s name and a unique identifier such that the identity of each specimen is clearly visible on each vial.   The vials are gradually cooled and frozen, and the specimen is finally submersed in liquid nitrogen for storage.

HOW CRYOPRESERVED SPERM IS USED:  In order to use a specimen which has been in storage, the patient must acknowledge that the sample will be used for assisted reproductive technologies in his sexually intimate partner and the partner must be under the care of a physician.  There are fees for removing the sample from storage and for processing the specimen prior to use.  Depending on the quality of the specimen, the frozen specimen may be used in the future in attempts to establish a pregnancy through artificial insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or direct sperm injection (ICSI) in conjunction with IVF.   The number of attempts is dependent on the quality of the specimen.  This, and other questions you might have, may be discussed at the future appointment with your physician.

RESOURCES: 

www.asrm.org/Patients/FactSheets/cancer.pdf

fertileHOPE is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility. 

For more information, call (888) 994-4673 or visit their website www.fertilehope.org