Cryopreservation of semen

Cryopreservation of semen is the technique of choice to preserve the reproductive potential of men undergoing potentially sterilising treatments. This option should be offered before starting cancer therapy, regardless of initial semen quality. Cryopreservation techniques have improved tremendously in recent years, thanks to improvements in laboratory freezing techniques (with the advent of vitrification or “flash freezing”).

How it is performed?

An initial sample of semen is delivered, which is analysed and frozen. Depending on its quality, advice is given on the number of additional samples the person needs to provide to have a sufficient quantity of frozen sperm for later reproductive use. These samples are preserved and kept at low temperatures (-196ºC) for later use in Assisted Reproduction Techniques.