What is sperm freezing and why is it performed?
Sperm freezing is the process of obtaining and freezing a man’s sperm at laboratory settings for In Vitro Fertilization therapy to be applied later.
To achieve fertilization in In Vitro Fertilization therapy, the number and motility of sperms should be sufficient. However, male reproductive capacity may be low due to ageing and some environmental factors. Sperm freezing procedure can be a good option to take measure for such issues and preserve DNA structure of sperm.
Who are good candidates?
Sperm freezing procedure is recommended for the below specified men.
Men with low sperm count and motility
Men who will receive cancer treatment and want to have children in future
Men with reproductive system diseases
Men who will undergo vasectomy and want to maintain their reproductive health
Men who have experienced failure in treatment of infertility
Men who want to donate their sperm cells
How is sperm freezing performed?
In sperm freezing procedure, sexual abstinence is recommended for 3 days prior to the procedure. Then, sperm samples are collected with surgical techniques. Local or general anesthesia can be induced for this operation.
The collected sperm cells are transferred to Andrology Laboratory and analyzed afterwards; the number, motility and structure of these sperm cells are evaluated. If the collected sperm cells are not suitable for fertilization, recollection can be done. After analysis is completed, the sperms are frozen using a special solution and can be stored at -196 C for up to 5 years.