Frozen sperm as good as fresh for IVF treatment
A recent study published in PLOS ONE finds that frozen sperm retrieved via testicular biopsy is as good as fresh sperm in leading to a successful pregnancy through IVF. The finding should make it easier to organize IVF procedures and increase options for infertile couples.
IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a technique that helps couples with fertility problems to have a baby. During the procedure, an egg is removed from the woman's ovaries, fertilized in a lab dish with sperm from the man, and the fertilized egg or embryo is then placed in the woman's womb to grow and develop.
If the man has a low sperm count or no sperm in his semen at all - for example because of an inherited disorder or as a result of cancer - then viable sperm has to be retrieved directly from the testicle with a biopsy. This is then either used straight away as fresh sperm, or frozen for future use.
The procedure is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and involves injecting a single sperm into the egg, instead of adding the sperm to the egg in a lab dish.
If fresh sperm is used in the ICSI procedure, then events concerning both partners have to be synchronized precisely to maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy.
But if frozen sperm can be used, then this simplifies the overall IVF process considerably, from a number of angles. For instance, from the timing angle, the man can give his sperm in advance, and from the location angle, the biopsy may not have to take place at the same clinic or surgery as the one the woman must attend.
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Kenan Omurtag, first study author and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, told the press: "The convenience and ease of being able to use frozen sperm taken by biopsy in ICSI offers many advantages over fresh sperm.
" When the procedure uses fresh sperm, the man has to undergo the testicle biopsy either the same day or the day before the egg is retrieved from the woman, and this may not be convenient for them.
If frozen sperm is used, then the man can have the biopsy, and if sperm is found, it can be frozen for later use. Then, at a time convenient for the couple, the woman has her eggs harvested, and the rest of the ICSI, where the sperm is injected into the egg, can take place.
The issue of convenience is important because it is not just a matter of the woman dropping into the clinic when she happens to feel like it. Before her eggs can be harvested, she has to have hormone injections every day for 7 to 10 days to stimulate her ovaries. And when the eggs are ready to be harvested, the doctor finds them with an ultrasound scanner, and removes them with a very thin, hollow needle.
For their study, Omurtag and colleagues analyzed 15 years of data from the Washington University Infertility and Reproductive Medicine Center.
Of 136 men who underwent ICSI, 84% of the procedures used frozen sperm and the rest used fresh sperm.
The researchers found that frozen sperm performed as well as fresh sperm in ICSI in terms of pregnancy success rate, despite there being a statistically significant difference in fertilization rate (frozen sperm 62%, fresh sperm 47%).
They also found that the type of center or clinic where the sperm was taken and its distance to the IVF lab also made no difference to pregnancy success rates. The participants in this study underwent their testicular biopsies either in an operating room next to the IVF lab, an operating room in another building a mile from the IVF lab, or an ambulatory center 15 mile from the IVF lab.
Co-author and professor of obstetrics and gynecology Randall Odem says: "This study demonstrates that using frozen sperm taken by biopsy works as well for most patients in what matters most - pregnancy rates.
" Researchers in Belgium recently showed it is also possible to develop a low-cost IVF procedure that could perform one treatment cycle for just over $250, making it accessible to many people around the world who cannot afford the conventional method, which in the US costs around $12,400 per cycle.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD ( http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/)
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Shop Now →Is frozen sperm safe to use for IVF and ICSI procedures?
Yes, according to a recent study published in PLOS ONE, frozen sperm retrieved via testicular biopsy is just as effective as fresh sperm for IVF and ICSI procedures, with no compromise to pregnancy success rates. The FDA and American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) have approved sperm freezing as a standard practice in fertility clinics across the United States. Proper cryopreservation techniques ensure the sperm maintains its viability and fertilizing ability when thawed for use.
What is testicular sperm extraction and when do I need it?
Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or testicular biopsy is a procedure where viable sperm is surgically retrieved directly from the testicles, typically for men with low or no sperm count in their ejaculate. This procedure is necessary for men with conditions such as azoospermia (no sperm in semen), obstructive issues, inherited disorders, or those who have undergone cancer treatment that affected fertility. The retrieved sperm can be used immediately or frozen for future IVF cycles.
How does using frozen sperm simplify the IVF process?
Frozen sperm eliminates the need to precisely time the man's testicular biopsy with the woman's egg retrieval, which is required when using fresh sperm. With frozen sperm, the man can have his biopsy performed at any time and location convenient for him, and the couple can proceed with the woman's IVF cycle whenever they're ready. This scheduling flexibility reduces stress on both partners and allows couples to use different fertility clinics if needed.
Does insurance cover testicular sperm extraction and freezing?
Coverage for testicular sperm extraction and sperm freezing varies significantly by insurance plan and state regulations in the United States. Some plans may cover these procedures as part of infertility treatment, while others classify them as elective, requiring out-of-pocket payment. It's important to
How long can frozen sperm remain viable?
Properly frozen sperm can remain viable for many years, with some studies suggesting sperm can maintain its fertilizing ability for 10+ years or longer when stored in liquid nitrogen at extremely cold temperatures. American fertility clinics follow strict cryopreservation protocols to ensure maximum sperm viability throughout storage. However, most clinics recommend discussing long-term storage plans and renewal fees with your fertility center.
What is ICSI and why is it used with testicular sperm?
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a specialized IVF technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg under a microscope, rather than mixing sperm with eggs in a lab dish. ICSI is the standard procedure used with testicular sperm because it requires fewer viable sperm and increases fertilization rates when sperm count or motility is low. This technique has been approved and widely used by American fertility clinics for over two decades.
Can men with cancer use frozen sperm for future fertility?
Yes, men diagnosed with cancer are often encouraged to bank sperm before undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, as these treatments can significantly impact fertility. Freezing sperm before cancer treatment allows men to have biological children through IVF using their own sperm at any point in the future. Many American cancer centers and fertility clinics work together to facilitate sperm banking for cancer patients as part of fertility preservation options.
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