Sperm cryopreservation, or freezing, is an important measure for men desiring fertility preservation for the future. Cryopreservation is an excellent option for sperm banking prior to initiation of cancer treatments for men requiring chemotherapy or radiation therapy for their cancer treatments which can have very harsh and sometimes irreversible impacts on sperm production, planning for life and building their family beyond their cancer treatments. Sperm cryopreservation is important for men with other diseases that may result in diminished sperm production over time or following surgical sperm retrieval for use with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Current laboratory protocols for sperm cryopreservation allow men to have a reliable manner to preserve or delay fertility options. Dr. Parviz Kavoussi wrote the chapter on sperm banking for the textbook “Human Semen Analysis”. Dr. Kavoussi states, “It is critical for men that are planning to initiate cancer treatments or those with other processes known to diminish sperm production overtime, to be counseled on their options for fertility preservation for the future. Although several laboratory techniques are available for sperm cryopreservation each andrology laboratory should perform cryopreservation with the technique that the laboratory is proficient in.”
