Steps to cryopreservation of sperm

This article was professionally consulted by Technologist Nguyen Vu Ha, Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

Sperm cryopreservation involves freezing sperm and storing it at extremely low temperatures, to stop the biological clock and allow samples to last for a long time.

Sperm cryopreservation is a technique that helps preserve sperm at extremely low temperatures using liquid nitrogen, which can go down to minus 196oC. This process is carried out by many complicated stages and requires meticulous, careful, strict procedures to ensure the quality of sperm when put into use. By freezing sperm, sperm can be kept for many years without any loss of quality. Frozen sperm can be used for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.
Sperm cryopreservation:
1.1 Blood tests Several tests are needed to make sure you are not infected with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis.

1.2. Sperm sampling Sperm samples should be collected by masturbation and ejaculated into a special container (sterile, wide mouth, made of non-sperm toxic material). If it is not possible to obtain a sample by masturbation, notify your healthcare provider for appropriate interventions.
Some notes to ensure the best sperm sample collection:
Abstain from ejaculating for 2 - 7 days for the best quality test sample. Sperm samples should not be taken on the days when the patient is pregnant. fever, illness or heavy use of alcohol. Sampling should be done at the medical facility to ensure that the sample is not affected by any factors.

1.3. Currently in medicine, there are two commonly used methods of sperm cryopreservation, slow freezing and fast freezing:
Slow freezing: including freezing sperm from from within 2-4 hours, steps are performed manually or using an automatic freezer. Rapid freezing: This technique requires direct contact between the sample tube and nitrogen vapor for a minimum of 8–10 minutes and immersion in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, but both methods give good sperm cryopreservation efficiency. Some authors have suggested that with conventional slow freezing, manual or automatic, it is possible to cause extensive physical-chemical damage to sperm due to ice crystallization.

Sperm cryopreservation is a technique performed for the purpose of assisted reproduction, for the treatment of infertility, and is also a method to help preserve male fertility. However, not everyone needs to freeze sperm and everyone can freeze sperm. Sperm cryopreservation is indicated when:
Men have malignancies, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is used during treatment. Patients suffering from autoimmune diseases or other diseases that can affect the quality and quantity of sperm such as mumps, severe male infections... Men who often work in environments toxic. Unstable spermatogenesis, some fertility problems such as erectile dysfunction, infertility and infertility. Couples who have performed in vitro fertilization but by the time of egg retrieval, the husband has to go away. Tests show that sperm motility is poor, sperm density is too low to ensure conception. Before surgery such as vasectomy, prostate, bladder, spine Before sex reassignment surgery

Sperm freezing has always been an important method, greatly assisting in the treatment of infertility cases, bringing joy to many couples. However, to perform a successful sperm cryopreservation is also a process with complicated stages, requiring care and expertise.
Customers who need accurate examination and advice on sperm freezing services can choose Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec International General Hospital. The center currently gathers a team of leading experts in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, domestic and international, and a team of doctors and nurses trained in the world's leading countries in medicine such as the US and Singapore. , Japan, Australia and world famous Assisted Reproductive Centers. With a high level of expertise and extensive experience, the team of experts at Vinmec Fertility Center are capable of synchronously and comprehensively deploying today's most advanced assisted reproductive techniques, helping to realize fulfill the parenting dream of hundreds of families across Vietnam.