There are many reasons why people today may find themselves in the position of considering cryopreservation of sperm or oocytes.

Cryopreservation of sperm in semen is the most common type of fertility preservation. Semen cryopreservation has been performed for several decades and has proven to be successful in maintaining the potency of sperm, resulting in an acceptable pregnancy rate. Sperm cryopreservation is a routine procedure at Virginia IVF and Andrology Center. See Sperm Cryopreservation for more information.

We are glad to make available this option to men who have valid medical reasons to pursue cryopreservation. Virginia IVF and Andrology Center does not currently offer cryopreservation services to men who are desirous of preserving semen solely for personal reasons not related to assisted reproduction or medical needs.

Cryopreservation of testicular tissue is performed when there is no sperm found in the semen. This condition is known as azospermia . There are two reasons why sperm may not be present in the semen. An obstruction may exist in the tubule system blocking the ability the sperm to mix with the semen. A man who has undergone a vasectomy would be considered to have obstructed azospermia . In other instances, there may appear to no observable blockage of the tubule system, but no sperm are present in the semen. These conditions would be described as unobstructed azospermia . Sperm are usually present in men with obstructed azospermia, while only about half the men with unobstructed azospermia will have sperm found in their testicular tissue. Men who are diagnosed with azospermia are referred to a local urologist who will evaluate the potential cause for his condition. The procedure for collecting and cryopreserving testicular tissue requires the urologist to perform a testicular biopsy in his operating room. An embryologist may be present at the testis biopsy to evaluate the tissue for the presence of sperm and properly prepare it for cryopreservation. In cases of known obstructed azospermia, the presence of an embryologist is usually not necessary, and the testis tissue is collected and transported by courier to the laboratory at Virginia IVF and Andrology Center where it is evaluated and cryopreserved.

Cryopreservation of oocytes (eggs) is still considered experimental from the standpoint that only a few hundred babies have been born worldwide from cryopreserved oocytes. This is largely due to the fact that the practice is not common compared to other procedures. Oocyte cryopreservation is offered at Virginia IVF and Andrology Center. See Oocyte Cryopreservation for more information.

We are glad to make available this option to women who have valid medical or religious reasons to pursue cryopreservation. Virginia IVF and Andrology Center does not current offer preservation services to women who are desirous of preserving oocytes solely for personal reasons not related to assisted reproduction or medical needs. If you are interested in such cryopreservation, please have your physician contact us directly for assistance.

Additionally, because of the experimental status of this procedure, Virginia IVF and Andrology Center cannot guarantee successful future pregnancies resulting from thawed oocytes.

Cryopreservation of ovaries/reproductive tissue is still considered highly experimental. Under certain medical circumstances, Virginia IVF and Andrology Center may be able to provide these services. If you are interested in such cryopreservation, please have your physician contact us directly for assistance.