Sperm freezing or cryopreservation is storing sperm at very low temperatures to maintain their health and ability to fertilize for a long time. This process is used to preserve high-quality sperm for use in ICSI procedures at a later time.

What is sperm freezing?

Sperm freezing allows for the preservation of fertilization ability for a long period, up to several years, providing an opportunity to utilize it in the future.

Liquid nitrogen is used to store sperm at -196°C. Freezing samples and maintaining them at low temperatures stops their biological clock, allowing the samples to survive for very long periods.

There are no risks associated with using frozen sperm in treatment, and it is not necessary to use all of the frozen sperm at once.

Cancer patients and sperm freezing:

About 75% of cancer patients may experience impaired fertility as a result of cancer treatment. These treatments may save a man’s life, and there is no need to avoid them for fear of infertility. Sperm freezing has provided hope for these patients, as it allows them to preserve their ability to start a family if they choose to do so at any time.

Some cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, hurt male fertility. In some cases, these treatments can cause irreparable damage.

For example, radiation therapy has been shown to cause damage to the reproductive glands, leading to the inability to produce sperm in patients. Chemotherapy has also been proven to affect sperm production. Cryopreservation and storing sperm offer a safe and effective method for conceiving children in the future in such cases.

Is sperm freezing right for me?

Dr. Adham Zaazaa, MD, Consultant in Andrology, advises sperm freezing for men in the following cases:

1. Before cancer treatment:
If a man needs to undergo a fertility-affecting cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy for testicular or prostate cancer, freezing sperm can be recommended before starting the treatment. This is done to preserve reproductive ability in the future after treatment, as fertility may be temporarily or permanently affected by cancer treatment, as mentioned earlier.

2. Before surgery:
In the case of men who need to undergo surgery in the pelvic or testicular area, it may be advisable to freeze sperm before surgery to allow the opportunity to use the sperm in case fertility is affected by the surgery. Also, men who undergo vasectomy and want to preserve sperm in case they change their minds about having more children can be advised to freeze sperm.

3. Non-medical reasons:
Some men may choose to freeze sperm for non-medical reasons, such as deciding not to have children at present and preserving future options, or to preserve sperm before working in a hazardous environment such as military fields or dangerous occupations.

4. Medical reasons:
Men who have a low sperm count or deteriorating sperm quality may choose to freeze sperm. This also applies to cases where there is difficulty in producing a sperm sample on the day of ICSI.

5. Aging:
Men can have children in their sixties and beyond, but sperm quality decreases after the age of 35, which includes a significant decrease in fertility rate, increased risk of miscarriage, and increased potential negative pregnancy outcomes. This is due to changing standards of sperm quality parameters (count, motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation) every year, so a man may choose to freeze sperm to preserve fertility.

Men should consult an andrologist to evaluate each case individually and determine whether sperm freezing is appropriate. Sperm freezing must be done under the supervision of a specialized doctor such as Dr. Adham Zaazaa because he has the experience and techniques necessary to ensure its safety and quality during freezing and storage.

How is sperm frozen?

First, you will need to provide written consent to store your sperm and specify the duration you want to store it for.
• Dr. Adham Zaazaa may ask you to stop sexual activity for approximately two days before the appointment to allow for the best possible sample.
• At the fertility clinic, you will be asked to produce a semen sample. Cases of low sperm count or no sperm in the semen require the non-surgical SIVCA technique invented and developed by Dr. Adham Zaazaa to extract sperm from the testicle.
• Once a semen sample is provided, the sperm are separated from the semen to test the count, shape, and motility of sperm within each sample with precise and coordinated tests.
• Before freezing, the sperm sample is divided between several isolated tubes, which means that not all sperm need to be thawed at once and can be used in multiple treatments.
• The process of sperm freezing involves the use of a cryoprotective agent to protect the cells from damage during freezing. Then, the sperm is slowly cooled to a very low temperature and immersed in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C).

How successful and safe is sperm freezing?

Using frozen sperm is just as successful as using fresh sperm. It is also very safe, and there are no risks associated with using frozen sperm.
The chance of getting enough healthy sperm for fertility treatments is also very high, even though not all sperm will survive the freezing and thawing process.

Sperm cryopreservation has no time limit, and sperm stored for 20 years has been successfully used to conceive healthy children.

Why choose Dr. Adham Zaazaa Center to freeze your sperm?

The quality of the sperm freezing process depends on the application of health standards and professional procedures followed in the freezing center. Here are some of the factors that Dr. Adham Zaazaa pays attention to ensure the quality of this process:

1. Using modern equipment and techniques: The center is equipped with modern equipment and advanced techniques to ensure effective and safe sperm freezing.
2. Training and experience: The medical team and technicians are well-trained and experienced in this field.
3. Temperature monitoring: The temperature is carefully monitored during the freezing process using precise cooling systems to ensure sperm is not damaged.
4. Use of safe cryoprotectants: Safe and reliable cryoprotectants are used to freeze and preserve samples.
5. Accurate recording: Accurate information about each frozen sample is documented and recorded, including the freezing date and any other treatments performed.
6. Compliance with laws and regulations: Adherence to laws and regulations related to sperm freezing and sexual health.
7. Safe storage: Frozen samples are stored in designated storage units under very low temperatures in complete safety.
8. Continuous monitoring: Periodic checks and follow-up of frozen samples are conducted.

Sperm freezing is a safe and effective procedure when implemented following international health guidelines and standards. Therefore, you must visit the center of Dr. Adham Zaazaa, Consultant in ICSI and Professor of Andrology and Fertility Surgery at Cairo University, to enjoy the opportunity to become the father of a child of your own by freezing your sperm, whether through semen or sperm extracted from the testis.