Semen/Sperm Freezing (Cryo-preservation)

Sperm freezing is a method of preserving a man’s fertility, so he may try to have children at a later stage in life. A special media (cryoprotectant) is first added to the sperm.

Once the media has been incorporated into the sperm, the sperm together with the media is loaded into either cryo-vails or cryo-straws and placed in liquid nitrogen at -196°.

At this temperature, sperm can be stored for many years while maintaining a reasonable quality.

Why should you freeze sperm?

  • Risks associated with medical treatment that may affect your fertility, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy as well as pelvic or testicular surgery.
  • If you are about to have a vasectomy, and want to store sperm for possible future use.
  • As a backup, if you have difficulty producing a sperm sample on the day of fertility treatment or not being present on the day of fertility treatment.
  • High-risk occupations or sports where testicular injury can occur, i.e cycling.
  • If you are transitioning from male to female. Hormonal therapy and reconstructive surgery can lead to a total loss of fertility.

Dr Wynand E. van Tonder

Specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist 
Sub-specialist Reproductive Medicine

MB ChB (Stell) | FCOG (SA) | MMed O&G (UFS) | MRep Med (Valencia Spain) | MGyn Endo Surg (AITAS) | Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgeon (GESEA)

Contact us

Tel: +27 11 463 4833
Emergency: +27 11 321 0111

reception@drwynandvantonder.co.za
reception2@drwynandvantonder.co.za

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Semen/Sperm Freezing (Cryo-preservation)

Sperm freezing is a method of preserving a man’s fertility, so he may try to have children at a later stage in life. A special media (cryoprotectant) is first added to the sperm.

Once the media has been incorporated into the sperm, the sperm together with the media is loaded into either cryo-vails or cryo-straws and placed in liquid nitrogen at -196°.

At this temperature, sperm can be stored for many years while maintaining a reasonable quality.

Why should you freeze sperm?

  • Risks associated with medical treatment that may affect your fertility, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy as well as pelvic or testicular surgery.
  • If you are about to have a vasectomy, and want to store sperm for possible future use.
  • As a backup, if you have difficulty producing a sperm sample on the day of fertility treatment or not being present on the day of fertility treatment.
  • High-risk occupations or sports where testicular injury can occur, i.e cycling.
  • If you are transitioning from male to female. Hormonal therapy and reconstructive surgery can lead to a total loss of fertility.