Sperm cryopreservation or sperm freezing is a part of the IVF treatment process. Sperm is frozen during the process of sperm cryopreservation so that it can be used later. To count sperm cells and gauge sperm health, sample semen is obtained and examined under a microscope. This acquired semen is kept during sperm analysis.
Before being used in a successful IVF procedure, these sperm are confined for three to six months and examined for illnesses. At Nepal IVF, we provide a distinctive fusion of patient-centered care and cutting-edge reproductive technologies. Our doctor will closely evaluate the patient's health and develop a specific treatment plan for increased IVF success with sperm freezing once the pair has decided to freeze their sperm or utilizes some of the saved sperm.
How is Sperm Frozen and Stored?
The two main traditional methods for freezing sperm are slow freezing and fast freezing. Although the gathered sperm has a 55-year shelf life, the fertility center's standard policy is for a maximum of 10 years. The processes are:
1. Slow Freezing
Using a semi-programmable freezer, this sperm freezing technique involves gradual sperm chilling over a period of 2-4 hours (automatically or manually). In the manual procedure, a cryoprotectant is added to the liquid nitrogen as the temperature of the semen is decreased. The material that was obtained is frozen between -5 and -80 degrees Celsius. Once set up, an automated technique pours nitrogen into a container used to store sperm. Semen is frozen in a range between -20°C and -80°C.
2. Rapid Freezing
This includes absorption of liquid nitrogen at -196 °C after eight to ten minutes of direct contact between a sterile straw carrying semen and the nitrogen mixture.
3. Thawing
The cell must prevent temperature changes while allowing the sperm to resume its regular biological functions. The thawing strategy for cryopreservation often calls for fast heating at 37°C or higher. The cryopreservation media is removed from the cells once they have thawed in order to prepare them for centrifuging.
Sperm Cryopreservation: Who is it for?
Sperm cryopreservation allows men to maintain their fertility and use the frozen sperm at the time of their choosing. Sperm cryopreservation can be beneficial to:
Process of Sperm Cryopreservation
Sperm freezing begins when ejaculated semen is collected and stored for use in later reproductive procedures like in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The procedure for sperm cryopreservation entails:
Sperm is collected via masturbation. The quantity, form, and mobility of the acquired sample semen are examined in each specimen. And if the patient is unable to generate high-quality semen, surgery may be a possibility to retrieve sperm straight from the testicles.
The samples are also divided for the freezing of the sperm. Sperm cells are shielded by specialized cryoprotectant substances. The frozen sperm is kept in the IVF lab and utilized for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) (IVF).
How Successful is Sperm Cryopreservation?
The individual's health has an impact on the outcome of sperm freezing. The motility and quality of the sperm may be impacted if the patient has a serious disease or medical condition. Second, according to the study, only 60% of the sperm survive the freezing and thawing procedures. Thirdly, the age, ART technique, and reproductive status of the female partner all affect the likelihood of success. Sperm freezing can still be used to achieve IVF success even when the sperm count is low, although more complicated treatments like IVF, IUI, or ICSI may be required.
Contact Nepal IVF to learn more about sperm freezing in Nepal. Our reproductive center provides counseling in addition to clinical care under the direction of specialists and fertility mentors. Connect with us if you want to learn more!
