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Sperm Freezing & Sperm Storage
How do I arrange Sperm Freezing?
First, your IVF doctor will arrange testing for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. We routinely screen for these infectious diseases because they may be transmitted through the semen to a female partner or an unborn child. These blood tests results are usually available in 2 to 3 weeks. Once we have copies of the blood tests results, you or your doctor’s office can call to arrange an appointment to provide your first specimen. Be prepared to sign consent forms for the freezing and storage of sperm.
How Many Sperm Samples Do I Freeze?
As no one knows what the future holds, there is no exact answer to this question. Most men freeze between two and five samples, but some men choose to freeze many more samples, especially if they are young and have not yet had children. In many cases, the time interval prior to surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatment will be the deciding factor. It is best to abstain from intercourse and ejaculation for two days before the first sample and for about two days between semen samples. However, exceptions can be made, especially if cancer treatment is to be started soon.
Sperm Storage
Frozen sperm can be stored indefinitely. There is a yearly sperm storage fee and therefore you must update us about any address changes. If we cannot reach you to confirm that you want to maintain the frozen sperm samples, we will thaw and destroy them.
What happens if I want to thaw and use the samples?
Inform your IVF doctor that you wish to utilise your frozen sperm sample. The female will undergo some basic fertility investigations. If the sperm samples are of good quality, they can be used for intrauterine inseminations at the time of ovulation. Because the sperm has been frozen and thawed, pregnancy rates are usually lower than in the general fertile population, at about 10 to 20% per cycle. However, many men who freeze sperm have been ill, and their sperm counts may be already reduced. Those samples may only be suitable for use in the more complex forms of assisted reproduction.
Could there be a problem with the quality of sperm?
Yes, there may be a problem with the number and quality of the sperm, especially in men who are about to undergo cancer treatment. Their underlying illness may have caused a drop in the sperm count or in the motility (movement) of the sperm. Time permitting; it may be advisable to freeze even more specimens in such situations. If the sperm count or motility is low, the thawed samples may not be suitable for standard inseminations. However, we can still use them for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where individual sperm are injected directly into the eggs. These procedures are much more complex and costly, but can result in pregnancies even in cases where the sperm count is very low or the sperm are functionally impaired..
Are there any problems with the children arising from the use of frozen / thawed sperm?
There does not appear to be any differences in the rates of abnormalities or birth defects among children conceived with fresh versus frozen sperm. However, there are some theoretical concerns that chemotherapy drugs may have unknown effects on the sperm or the offspring. If possible, it is best to freeze the specimens before chemotherapy begins.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Please be assured that all services are provided in a completely discreet and confidential environment.
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