Freezing and storing sperm
Although here at Vindon we don't freeze sperm for individuals, Freezing sperm is relatively straightforward.The Vindon cryogenic storage service is for institutions and research organisations.
If the Vindon cryobank were to store sperm for individuals, we would require a referral from a clinic as you would normally require a consultation at a recognised clinic by a nurse or doctor to discuss and assess the reasons for considering freezing sperm. Frozen sperm is never as good as fresh sperm. Freezing sperm can be expensive and is not always successful.
Depending on the reason for storing the sperm, the man is asked to produce several sperm samples over one or two weeks. Each sample is mixed with an equal volume of a cryoprotectant media (fluid that protects the individual sperm when they are frozen). The sample is then cooled slowly before being stored in liquid nitrogen at –196°C.
A member of the clinical team will provide information about the procedure before sperm is stored and get the donors informed consent in writing. This must also name the person who can use the sample and state the fate of the sample should the donor die or become mentally incapacitated. The law also lays down strict limits on the length of time for which sperm is allowed to be stored in a facility like the Vindon Cryobank.
Before storing sperm, the donor must have a blood test to screen for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, (leaflets are available such as ‘Routine Infection Screening’). If any viable sperm are evident, the sample will be loaded into labelled ’straws’ and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, for possible future use. (The sperm count and quality do not have to meet the criteria required for sperm donation.)
