Sperm Bank FAQ
Please contact us if you have any additional questions. Thank you.
Contact Us
102-1057 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON. Canada
L8S 1B7
Phone: 1-888-245-3471
Fax: 1-877-772-6387
Local: 905-524-3342
FAX: 905-524-3936
E-Mail: info@canamcryo.com
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 8am-4pm EST
Sperm Bank FAQ
What is sperm freezing and storage?
Sperm freezing is cooling the sperm cells to a very low temperature and then storing them either in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) or liquid nitrogen vapour (-150 °C).
Is sperm freezing and storage for me?
By storing your sperm, you may be able to use them for treatment in the future. You may want to discuss freezing your sperm with your physician if:
- you are facing medical treatment that may affect your fertility, for example, some forms of cancer treatment
- you are about to undergo a vasectomy
- you have a low sperm count or are producing sperm that are deteriorating in quality over time
- you have difficulty producing a sample on the day of fertility treatment
What are the steps involved if I want to freeze my sperm?
Step 1. Call our facility to schedule an appointment or have your doctor’s office schedule the appointment.
Step 2. Collect a sample at home or at our facility. If collected at home, please ensure that the sample is kept at body temperature.
Step 3. Deliver the sample to our facility within 1hr. of collection. Keep sample at close to body temperature during transport.
Step 4. A complete semen analysis will be performed on the sample.
Step 5. You will need to give written consent for the sperm to be frozen and stored.
Step 6. You will need to be tested for these infectious diseases – HIV 1 & 2, HTLV I & II, Hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen, antibody to Hepatitis C, syphilis. These tests can be requested from your family physician.
Step 7. The sperm are frozen and then stored in a storage tank containing liquid nitrogen.
What is my chance of having a baby with stored sperm?
Some sperm do not survive or are damaged during freezing. This means that after freezing there may be a reduction in quality. Some frozen sperm samples that are of poor quality can only be used for Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg in order to fertilize it. The fertilized egg (embryo) is then transferred to the uterus.
How long can frozen sperm be kept for?
Frozen sperm can be stored indefinitely at temperatures below -150 °C.
How is the semen specimen collected?
The preferred method to collect the sample is by masturbation. For men who are unable to collect by masturbation, a special collection device (condom) can be used.
Can I collect the sample at home?
Yes, however the sample should be kept close to body temperature and delivered to our facility within an hour of collection.
What is the normal volume of an ejaculate?
The normal volume is around 2 mls.
How long should the period of abstinence be between collections?
Ideally sample should be collected after a minimum of two days and a maximum of seven days of sexual abstinence.
Do I need to be tested for infectious diseases?
Yes, you will need to be tested for HIV 1 & 2, HTLV I & II, Hepatitis B, C and syphilis.
How is the sample frozen?
A cryoprotectant is added to the sample which is then placed in small vials and slowly cooled to -32 °C and then stored in liquid nitrogen.
Is a semen analysis performed prior to freezing the sample?
Yes.
What are the costs associated with freezing sperm at your facility?
Refer to our Fee Guide for current pricing.
What is a cryobank?
A place where tissues such as sperm, oocytes, and embryos are stored in the frozen state.
Cryoprotectants - The fluid used to freeze eggs, embryos, and sperm. The fluid is comprised of organic chemical liquids and sugar.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to schedule an appointment?
No. Simply call us to schedule an appointment.