LONG-TERM SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION
(Sperm Banking)
Long-term freezing of sperm for future use is typically offered to men who may have a reduction in their sperm count because of planned surgery or medical treatment. Such treatment could include removal and/or radiation of the testicles for cancer or chemotherapy and/or radiation for other forms of cancer. Other reasons for freezing sperm include: prior to vasectomy; at the time of vasectomy reversal; and at the time of epididymis sperm retrieval. This will answer common questions concerning this procedure.
• How do I arrange for storage?
Arrangements should be made by calling North Texas Male Infertility Center,
P.A. at 972-612-7131.
• How are specimens collected?
Follow the patient instructions below for collection. Please note that you must return that form along with your specimen. Call ahead for drop-off and collection hours.
Instruction For Collection of Semen Specimens
1. Refrain from any sexual activity including masturbation for a minimum of 2-3 days.
2. Collect the specimen by masturbation. Alternate methods may be discussed with your physician.
3. Collect the specimen in a clean plastic container provided to you. Write your name on the lid and be sure it is secured for transport.
4. Bring the specimen to the lab within one hour of collection. Keep specimen between room temperature and body temperature (e.g., inside your shirt).
If you are unable to deliver the specimen to the lab within one hour, a private room is available at the lab for the collection of the specimen.
5. Please call for current pricing.
• How is the sperm frozen?
Each semen sample is mixed with a cryoprotectant, a harmless solution which helps protect the sperm from damage during the freezing process. This will result in the sample being diluted to some extent. The semen is then divided up into small vials and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Each ejaculate will result in one or more vials being frozen; usually 2 or 3 vials can be obtained from each ejaculate. One vial is used for each insemination, so that one ejaculate may give enough sperm for 2 or 3 months of cervical
inseminations.
• How many specimens should be frozen?
In general, 3 ejaculates should be frozen. The exact number depends on your sperm count, the time available for accumulating specimens, and other factors. Once the initial sperm count and the results of the freezing and thawing have been determined, it is easier to advise you how many samples should be stored.
• What are the chances for pregnancy?
Under normal conditions, the chance of a woman conceiving in any one month is no more than 20%. In donor insemination programs using frozen sperm, the monthly chance of pregnancy is approximately one-half that rate. The chances for pregnancy for a particular couple will depend on a variety of factors. These include the sperm quality before freezing, how well the sperm survives the freezing and thawing process, how many samples are produced and therefore, how many months of insemination can be performed, and whether or not there are any female infertility factors present. Many
men with cancer or testicular disease have lower than average sperm counts even before chemotherapy or radiation therapy. No guarantee can be given that pregnancy will result, no matter how many specimens are stored. In general, because of the damage to the sperm that is unavoidable in the freezing and thawing process, the chances for pregnancy using frozen sperm are less than with fresh sperm. If the initial sample shows low sperm count or movement, you will be notified so as to decide if any further specimens will be frozen.
• How long can sperm be stored?
Pregnancies have been recorded with sperm frozen for up to 15 years. It is possible, however, that the sperm quality may deteriorate over time.
• What testing is done on the sperm?
Each sample will have a semen analysis performed to make sure that there are enough sperm present to allow adequate pregnancy potential by routine insemination before freezing. It will be left up to you as to whether or not further samples will be frozen, if they are below this level.
• Who has access to the semen samples?
Semen samples will be released to you upon written notification. You can also specify that another individual be able to obtain samples; this would usually be your wife. Again, written notification from your wife/designee would be necessary. In no instances would samples be used to inseminate someone other than the woman specified in the consent form. If your wife/designee changes, then a new consent form must be filled out.
• What happens if I die before the samples are used?
In the event of death, the samples would be either destroyed or would become the property of the individual specified by you in the consent form. Anyone who is specified as the recipient/designee needs to sign the consent form.
• What are the costs involved in the freezing program?
We normally charge $600 for cryopreservation up to 3 years of storage for one specimen, and $800 for 3 years of storage for 3 specimens. However, when cryopreservation is done during our patient's vasectomy reversal, the cost is $500.
• What happens if I decide to terminate the contract?
We should be given written notification that the contract is being terminated. If it is your desire that the specimens be destroyed, please indicate that. If you want the specimens transferred to another bank, you must make all the necessary arrangements and pay the fees involved in that. We would have you sign a release form.
• What happens when the samples are to be used?
The samples would be used for insemination by the woman's gynecologist.
Inseminations are timed during ovulation using simple tests. Whether or not any infertility testing should be done on the woman before inseminations begin will be decided by the gynecologist at that time. Our laboratory needs to know 24 hours in advance of the insemination so the sperm can be processed.
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