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Sperm freezing
Sperm freezing is a procedure where spermatozoa obtained from the ejaculate, epididymis or testicles are frozen and stored for possible later treatment. The term freezing of seeds is also used.
When is the sperm freezing done?
Freezing spermatozoa from ejaculate is done:
- before starting cancer therapy or medical treatment where there is a risk of infertility;
- with a greatly reduced number and quality of sperm, where there is a risk that over time there will be no sperm in the ejaculate (azospermia);
- with ejaculation problems where there is a risk that a man cannot ejaculate during the day egg aspiration in the process of in vitro fertilization;
- in case the male partner is absent on the day of egg cells aspiration during the process of in vitro fertilization;
- at sperm donations.
Freezing spermatozoa from the epididymis and testicles is done as part of the procedure PESA , TESE and mTESE.
What does the sperm freezing procedure look like?
- Before freezing the spermatozoa, a detailed discussion is carried out with the patient.
- Sperm freezing is done in the IVF laboratory of Special Gynecology Hospital Jevremova in Belgrade.
- Blood serological analyses are performed for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis.
- Abstinence for 2-3 days is required.
- An appointment is scheduled in agreement with the IVF laboratory.
- The patient provides a semen sample that is further processed in the IVF laboratory.
- The sample is obtained by masturbation.
- Most often, spermatozoa are frozen in more packages so that they can be used for several IVF procedures.
- Frozen spermatozoa are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius.
- They can be stored for an unlimited period of time.
- Some of the spermatozoa do not survive thawing.
- Spermatozoa that have survived do not lose their quality and have the same fertilizing ability as all fresh spermatozoa.
- Pregnancies resulting from the use of thawed spermatozoa do not represent an additional risk for healthy offspring.
Expert advice: frequently asked questions
Answers by: Milan Milenković MD, PhD
What is the cost of sperm freezing?
For the price, see our price list which is updated regularly.
Is pregnancy caused by the use of frozen spermatozoa risky?
A pregnancy resulting from the use of frozen spermatozoa has no additional risk related to the freezing and thawing procedure. After thawing, the procedure continues in the same way as the in vitro fertilization process using fresh spermatozoa.
How long can frozen spermatozoa be kept?
Frozen spermatozoa can be stored for an unlimited period of time.
Is there an increased risk for anomalies in children when frozen spermatozoa are used?
Children born after in vitro fertilization where frozen spermatozoa were used do not have an increased risk for developmental anomalies.
Which oncological patients are advised to freeze their semen before treatment for malignant disease?
All patients who are planned to be treated with cytostatics and radiation, as well as for testicular surgery, are advised to freeze the semen.
Is the result of in vitro fertilization better when the fresh spermatozoa are used?
The percentage of pregnancies and births is the same when fresh and frozen spermatozoa are used.
Can thawed spermatozoa be refrozen?
Thawed spermatozoa can theoretically be refrozen, but in clinical practice this is not done.
