Your goals for a family are within reach with our semen analysis, sperm cryopreservation services
At NTMIC Sperm Lab, we provide two key services: semen analysis and sperm cryopreservation. When you tend to focus on something, you also tend to become very good at it – and our director, Dr. Jeffrey P. Buch, has supported successful future family planning as a globally recognized authority on male infertility and fertility preservation for more than 40 years.
How do you preserve my ability to have children?
The cryopreservation service at our Plano, Texas lab in Frisco refers to preserving or maintaining sperm viability with cold or freezing (“cryo”). Also known as sperm banking, cryopreservation starts with collecting the sperm and then freezing it in special storage liquid nitrogen containers at a constant temperature of -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit). The sperm is stored until you and/or your partner are ready to use it, at which time it is carefully thawed in a lab and analyzed for active, quality remaining sperm. The sperm may then be used in fertility treatments (Intrauterine Insemination and In Vitro Fertilization).
Why would I be a good candidate for cryopreservation?
Dr. Buch may recommend this service any time your fertility may be adversely affected, such as by certain medical conditions/diagnoses or the procedures and therapies you may undergo to treat them. One of the most common reasons for cryopreservation is to preserve sperm before undergoing cancer treatment. You may need chemo or radiation therapy, which can result in little to no healthy sperm following treatment. Or certain surgical procedures (such as orchiectomy for testicular cancer treatment) may prevent your ability to produce sperm. Cryopreservation allows you to still have the family that you want by retaining sperm for use at a later date, in cancer treatment situations, but also can be used prior to elective sterilization prior to vasectomy in case your circumstances change at a later date.
Are there factors that can affect the successful retrieval of sperm?
Yes. Notably, the quality of sperm deteriorates as you get older. This is yet another reason why couples may opt to store sperm at a later date, to preserve fertility as men age. The presence of underlying medical conditions can also affect the health of the sperm that are retrieved/thawed, as can the overall quality of the initial specimen. At NTMIC Sperm Lab, we abide by exacting quality standards, procedures, and protocols to ensure sperm are collected, prepared, and stored properly. Once stored, they can remain viable for an almost indefinite period. In fact, we have supported pregnancies with sperm that had been frozen for 14 years!
How does your semen analysis service play into this?
Trusted analysis plays a vital role; we want to freeze and store the highest-quality sperm and ensure the integrity of the initial specimen. The findings of our study, guide the “next steps” and may include additional testing. Overall, with our accurate diagnostics and protocols, we support specimens that contain a sufficient number and concentration of sperm to provide healthy sperm with favorable movement (motility) and shape (morphology).
Your family goals are within reach at our sperm lab in Frisco, TX. Contact us at (972) 616-4477 today to speak with a team member.
