Congelación de semen

Sperm cryopreservation

In our laboratories, we offer patients the option of freezing their semen samples for future reproductive use.

What does sperm cryopreservation entail? How does the process work?

Sperm cryopreservation consists of cooling and preserving semen in liquid nitrogen (at -196ºC) so that it can be stored indefinitely. To do this, the patient must deliver the semen sample to the laboratory within one hour of ejaculation and under the conditions specified by the laboratory.

congelacionIn the laboratory, the sample is assessed to confirm that it can be frozen and, depending on its quality, advice is given on the number of samples the patient should provide in order to have a sufficient quantity of frozen sperm for subsequent reproductive use.

The semen is mixed with a freezing medium containing a series of molecules called cryoprotectants, whose function is to protect the sperm from freezing and enable them to survive the process. The mixture is then cooled to -196ºC, at which point it can be stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.

What are the main applications of sperm cryopreservation?

Sperm cryopreservation is mainly indicated for:

The preservation of fertility in patients who are about to begin treatment that will reduce or eliminate their reproductive capacity (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, vasectomy).
The creation of sperm banks.
In assisted reproduction treatments, resolving any psychological barriers that may prevent the male partner from providing a sample on the day of treatment, or avoiding scheduling or date conflicts between partners on the day of treatment.
Use of frozen semen samples for egg donation treatments, intended to preserve anonymity as required by law.
Enabling assisted reproductive techniques in serodiscordant couples. In couples where the man is HIV-positive, semen washing can be performed and a sample containing sperm free of viral particles can be cryopreserved for later use in assisted reproduction techniques.

What is a sperm bank?

banco bancoA sperm bank is a liquid nitrogen container where cryopreserved samples from different men, whether donors or patients, are stored, properly organised and labelled with the aim of keeping them in suitable conditions for future use.

What are the criteria for becoming a donor?

Current law stipulates that donors must be between 18 and 50 years of age, in good mental and physical health, and free from hereditary genetic diseases or communicable infectious diseases.

In what situations is it recommended that patients freeze their own semen?

Sperm cryopreservation is always recommended when:

A patient is about to begin treatment that will reduce or eliminate their fertility, such as cancer treatment, testicular surgery or vasectomies.
A patient's semen quality is deteriorating, suggesting that in the future he will not be able to provide a valid sample for reproduction.
A patient believes that he may have problems providing a semen sample on the day of reproductive treatment, either due to psychological barriers or scheduling conflicts.

In cancer patients, how does this technique help preserve fertility?

Cancer treatments can cause damage, in many cases permanent and irreversible, to the patient's sperm production, affecting their fertility. If the patient is able to freeze one or more semen samples before starting treatment, he will have one or more samples available for future assisted reproduction treatment.