Treatments

Why is sperm freezing done?

• Sperm freezing is used as a fertility preserving technique in Men undergoing surgeries such as orchidectomy (Removal of Testes) or prior to chemotherapy or radiotherapy in case of cancers.
• Sperm freezing can be done in cases where the sperms counts are low and falling or where the quality is steadily deteriorating in spite of all therapeutic measures.
• Sperm Cropreservation is routinely done in all IVF or IVF ICSI cycles. This is a backup sample which is taken in case the male partner is unavailable or is unable to give a sample on the day of Oocyte Rertrieval (oocyte pickup/OPU).
• Sperm freezing can be done in those cases of IUI where partner is away during the ovulation days on a regular basis.
• Sperm Freezing is also used when male partner is unable to provide a sample on demand. This mainly occurs due to anxiety.
• Sperm Freezing is used in Intra Uterine Insemination with Donor sperms. The donor sperm samples are quarantined for a period of atleast 6 months. Donors are tested for HIV, HBsAg, HCV before and after the quarantine period of 6 months.
• In cases of Surgical Sperm retrieval techniques like TESA / PESA / Micro TESE, the sperms obtained can be cryopreserved for future use in IVF ICSI cycles. This avoids repeating the invasive procedure at the time of IVF ICSI.

• How is it done?

  • Before the freezing process, your doctor will explain the process to you.
  • Blood tests for HIV, HBsAg and HCV are taken before collection of the sample. Other tests may be advised as per situation.
  • A fresh sample is produced after 3 days of abstinence.
  • The sample is analysed and frozen and the report of the same is shared on the same day.
  • Repeated samples may be required depending on what the sample is cryopreserved for.