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Long-Term Sperm Cryopreservation: Preserving Fertility for the Future

Long Term Sperm Cryopreservation or sperm banking, is a vital process for preserving male fertility. Sperm freezing is an effective and reliable method for male fertility preservation. Thus offering flexibility and security to men for future family planning. Male fertility preservation in India is gaining traction due to increased awareness, medical advancements, and societal changes. The 2021 ART Regulation Act in India permits indefinite cryopreservation of gametes for self-use. This is making it easier for men to preserve fertility under regulated conditions.

Male fertility preservation is increasingly recognized as essential in India, with several trends and statistics underscoring this growth:

  1. Increased Awareness and Accessibility: The Fertility Preservation Society of India (FPSI) highlights the importance of preserving fertility in men undergoing medical treatments that can impair reproductive capabilities. Initiatives and awareness campaigns by such organizations are driving more men to consider long-term sperm cryopreservation. Men are opting to freeze sperm before the age of 45 for better outcomes, because they are increasingly aware of age-related genetic risks.
  2. Cancer Treatments as a Primary Driver: Advances in cancer treatment have increased survival rates, leading to greater emphasis on post-treatment quality of life, including fertility. Male cancer patients are among the primary groups opting for long-term sperm cryopreservation. Approximately 25% of cancers in India occur in adolescents and young adults. Many of whom choose fertility preservation to ensure the possibility of biological parenthood post-recovery.
  3. Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: Infertility rates are rising in India which is in turn, spurring more men to take proactive steps to preserve fertility. (The alarming decline in male fertility: Why sperm freezing is future of conception).
  4. Evolving Cultural Perspectives: Societal taboos around discussing male fertility in India notwithstanding, increased education and healthcare access are reducing the stigma, enabling more men to explore preservation options

Sperm banking is gaining popularity, with many IVF centers and hospitals offering it as a routine service. This trend aligns with global practices, particularly for those delaying fatherhood or facing occupational hazards that may affect fertility. For personalized advice and to explore long-term male fertility preservation options, consult with our fertility specialist.

This article provides a detailed overview of long-term sperm cryopreservation, its benefits, the process, and who should consider it.

  • What is Long-term Sperm Freezing?
  • How does Vitrification work: 
  • Who Should Consider Sperm Freezing?
  • Cost of Sperm Freezing

What is Long-term Sperm Freezing?

Long-term sperm freezing, also known as sperm cryopreservation, is a process that allows men to preserve their fertility for extended periods, potentially up to several decades. This involves collecting semen samples, analyzing them for quality, and then carefully freezing and storing the sperm in liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures. This process effectively suspends all biological activity, preserving the sperm’s viability for future use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

This service offers men the opportunity to become biological fathers even in circumstances that might otherwise compromise their fertility. These circumstances include:

  • Age-related decline in sperm quality: As men age, sperm quality can deteriorate, and the risk of DNA fragmentation (damage to the sperm’s genetic material) increases. Freezing sperm at a younger age, ideally in their 20s or early 30s when sperm quality is typically at its peak, can mitigate this risk.
  • Medical treatments: Certain medical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, can significantly impair or permanently damage sperm production. Sperm freezing before these treatments allows men to preserve their fertility.
  • Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions or surgeries can also affect fertility. Sperm freezing provides a proactive option for men facing such diagnoses.
  • Lifestyle factors: Modern lifestyles, often characterized by stress, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins, can contribute to male subfertility issues like low sperm count, poor sperm motility (movement), or even azoospermia (absence of sperm in the ejaculate). Freezing healthy sperm can safeguard against these potential future problems.
  • Delayed fatherhood: Increasingly, men are choosing to delay starting families until their 30s or 40s. While this is a personal choice, it’s important to be aware of the potential impact of age on sperm quality. Sperm freezing offers a way to preserve youthful sperm for use later in life.

Frozen sperm can be thawed and used in various ART procedures, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), where sperm is placed directly into the uterus, or in vitro fertilization (IVF), where eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory setting. By preserving sperm through cryopreservation, men can proactively safeguard their reproductive potential and increase their chances of having healthy biological children in the future, regardless of unforeseen health challenges or life circumstances.

How does Vitrification work: 

How does Vitrification work:

The term “vitrification” comes from the Latin word “vitreus,” meaning glass-like. The is because the process helps store cells in a glass like state without formation of ice crystals.

The oocytes or embryos or sperms are gradually exposed to a series of cryoprotectant solutions. Cryoprotectants are substances that protect the cells from damage during the freezing process by dehydrating them and reducing the risk of ice crystal formation.

The process of dehydration is controlled to ensure that the cells lose water in a balanced manner, preventing osmotic shock that could harm the cellular structure.

After the oocytes, sperms or embryos have been adequately dehydrated, they are rapidly plunged into liquid nitrogen, which cools them at an extremely fast rate (up to 23,000°C per minute). This rapid cooling transforms the cellular fluids into a glass-like solid state without forming ice crystals.

The temperature drops to around -196°C, which is the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. At this temperature, all metabolic processes in the cells cease, effectively halting any cellular activity and preserving them in their current state indefinitely.

Who Should Consider Sperm Freezing?

Who Should Consider Sperm Freezing?

Sperm freezing is recommended for:

Cancer Patients:

  • Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy: These treatments can damage sperm production. Freezing sperm before starting therapy can preserve fertility.
  • Testicular or Prostate Cancer: Surgery or treatments for these cancers can impact fertility.

Medical Procedures and Surgeries:

  • Vasectomy: Men planning to undergo a vasectomy may freeze sperm in case they later decide to have children.
  • Gender Reassignment Surgery: Transgender individuals undergoing surgery may freeze sperm to maintain the option of biological children.

Health Conditions:

  • Genetic Conditions: Men with genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome that may affect fertility.
  • Autoimmune Diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases and their treatments can affect sperm quality.

Lifestyle and Occupational Reasons: 4. High-Risk Occupations:

  • Military Personnel: Soldiers deployed in high-risk areas may freeze sperm before deployment.
  • Hazardous Work Environments: Men working with toxic chemicals or radiation that could impact fertility.

Athletes:

  • Professional Athletes: Those engaged in high-impact sports where injuries might affect reproductive organs.

Delayed Parenthood:

  • Older Age: Men who wish to delay fatherhood but are concerned about age-related decline in sperm quality.
  • Personal Choice: Individuals not ready for parenthood but want to ensure future fertility.

Fertility Treatments:

  • Backup for IVF/IUI: Providing a reserved sperm sample ensures availability on the day of egg retrieval, especially if the male partner is unable to provide a fresh sample.
  • Travel or Absence: Men who travel frequently or may be unavailable during key fertility treatment timings.

Special Cases – in Adolescent Boys with :

  • Pre-Puberty Cancer Diagnosis: Young boys diagnosed with cancer who have reached puberty may freeze sperm before undergoing treatment.

 

Cost of Sperm Freezing

Cost of Sperm Freezing

The cost of sperm freezing varies based on the facility, the number of samples stored, and the storage duration. Insurance may cover part of the initial evaluation and treatment.

Cryogenic storage facilities are highly secure and monitored 24/7 with backup power and equipment redundancy. This adds a monthly maintenance cost that may be charged annually.

If you want to freeze your sperm, it will cost only Rs. 1500 to 2000 as onetime cost  and the annual charges depend on the time period you want to freeze your sperm. For 6 months it will be 6000/-. The price point may vary from clinic to clinic based on their pricing model.

Procedure

Sperm Vitrification Protocol:

Today, sperm freezing has become a standard procedure to assess the viability and usability of sperm after storage. The sperm freezing protocol is outlined below:

1Initial Consult & Screening:
  • Medical Evaluation: The first step is consulting with a fertility specialist who will assess your medical history and reasons for considering sperm freezing.
  • Screening Tests: You’ll undergo blood tests to check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a sperm analysis to evaluate sperm count, motility, and morphology. Lifestyle adjustments may be recommended to improve sperm quality.
2Sample Collection:
  • Clinical Setting: In a private room at a clinic, you will produce a sperm sample through masturbation. Multiple samples are encouraged to ensure the best quality.
  • At-Home Collection: For those uncomfortable with clinical settings, at-home sperm collection kits are available. These kits include a secure storage receptacle and transport medium to protect the sample during transportation to the lab.
3Sperm Analysis
  • Initial Assessment: The collected sperm is analyzed to determine its quality, including sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape).
  • Multiple Samples: It’s often recommended to provide multiple samples over several days to ensure a sufficient amount of high-quality sperm for freezing.
4Cryopreservation Process

Dehydration

  • Exposure to Cryoprotectants: The sperm sample is mixed with a cryoprotectant, a special freezing solution that protects sperm cells from damage during the freezing process.
  • Osmotic Balance: The process of dehydration is controlled to ensure that the cells lose water in a balanced manner, preventing osmotic shock that could harm the cellular structure.
  • Vial Storage: The treated sperm is divided into small vials. This division allows for multiple uses and safeguards against the total loss of the sample if one vial is compromised.
  • Rapid Freezing: The vials are quickly cooled and stored in liquid nitrogen at extremely low temperatures (-196°C or -321°F).
5Storage
  • Cryogenic Tanks: The vials are placed in cryogenic storage tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. These tanks are monitored around the clock to ensure the correct temperature is maintained.
  • Redundancy Measures: To minimize risks, samples are often stored in multiple tanks or even at different locations. Each sample is carefully labeled and tracked to ensure it can be accurately identified and retrieved when needed.
6Thawing and Usage
  • Thawing Process: When you’re ready to use the stored sperm, the vials are carefully thawed in the lab until they reach room temperature.
  • Post-Thaw Analysis: The thawed sperm is analyzed to assess motility and viability. Although up to two-thirds of sperm may not survive the freeze-thaw cycle, those that do often have higher fertility potential.
7Fertility Treatments
  • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Thawed sperm is directly inserted into the uterus.
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Sperm is used to fertilize eggs in a lab, with the embryos later transferred to the uterus.
  • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A single sperm is injected directly into an egg, which is beneficial for low motility sperm.
  • Long Term Sperm Cryopreservation

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

With proper cryopreservation and advanced technology, sperm can remain viable for several decades. If you’re wondering how long sperm can be frozen, it’s important to note that storage duration and costs may vary depending on the facility’s specific regulations and policies. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a reputable facility that fits your budget and meets your needs.

No, sperm freezing does not guarantee a successful pregnancy. While it preserves sperm for future use and can increase the chances of conception through assisted reproductive techniques, various factors—including the quality of the sperm, the health of the partner, and the specific fertility treatment used—affect the overall success rate. As a result, there is no absolute guarantee of pregnancy.

During the process of freezing, . Cryoprotectant Use, Controlled Cooling before Vitrification, Rapid Freezing and Storage at Ultra-Low Temperatures ensure that frozen sperm remains undamaged during the cryopreservation process.

Apart from these practices, Proper Handling Procedures and Quality Control and Monitoring maximize the chances that frozen sperm remains viable and undamaged for future use for the long-term.

Quality Control and Monitoring

  • Regular Monitoring: The storage tanks are continuously monitored for temperature stability. Any fluctuations in temperature could compromise the viability of the sperm, so maintaining a consistent ultra-low temperature is crucial.
  • Sample Testing: Periodically, samples may be thawed and tested to ensure they remain viable over time. This helps verify that the preservation process is effective.

Proper Handling Procedures

  • Minimizing Exposure: During storage and handling, the sperm samples are kept submerged in liquid nitrogen to minimize exposure to warmer temperatures, which could lead to thawing and potential damage.
  • Labeling and Tracking: Each sample is meticulously labeled and tracked to avoid mix-ups or mismanagement, ensuring the correct handling and maintenance of each specimen.

 

While freezing and thawing can cause some damage to sperm cells, advancements in cryopreservation techniques have minimized these effects. Typically, a sufficient number of sperm cells remain viable after thawing to achieve successful fertilization.