Fresh vs. Frozen Sperm: Efficacy in IVF & Fertility Treatment

Introduction

The topic of fresh versus frozen sperm is important in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Doctors use both types for IVF and ICSI worldwide. Men may freeze their sperm for several reasons. These include advancing age, declining sperm quality, low sperm count, or for sperm donation programs.

Expert Consensus: No Significant Difference

Leading fertility experts agree that frozen sperm is highly effective. According to Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, President of the Academy of Medicine Specialties, there is no significant difference between using fresh or frozen sperm in ART. He states that frozen sperm does not interfere with fertilization rates or clinical pregnancy success.

Supporting Research and Data

Several studies confirm this expert opinion:

• Mayo Clinic (2004): Research showed that couples using IVF had the same likelihood of a successful pregnancy with either frozen or fresh sperm.

• Egyptian Study (2021): Using frozen testicular sperm from men with azoospermia yielded similar fertilization and pregnancy rates as fresh sperm. This practice helps fertility clinics organize their workflow more efficiently.

• New York Study: An analysis of over 6,000 couples found that using fresh or frozen ejaculated sperm did not impact reproductive outcomes in fresh embryo transfer cycles.

• Medical Art Center Data: Our own data, from cycles between 2013 and 2019, shows no significant difference in outcomes between frozen and fresh sperm samples.

The Sperm Freezing Process (Cryopreservation)

Sperm freezing, or cryopreservation, safely preserves sperm cells for future use. Our certified embryologists follow a meticulous process:

1. Sample Verification & Analysis: The embryologist first confirms the patient’s identity. They then evaluate the sample’s volume, sperm concentration, and motility.

2. Preparation: They mix the sample with a special cryopreservation solution.

3. Freezing: The prepared sample is distributed into labeled vials. These vials are then cooled in liquid nitrogen vapor before moving to long-term liquid nitrogen storage.

4. Quality Check: We thaw a test vial to confirm sperm survivability post-freeze.

This advanced technique allows us to store sperm safely for many years.

Why is Sperm Freezing Important?

Cryopreservation overcomes space and time limitations in fertility treatment. It is crucial in several scenarios:

• Fertility Preservation Before Medical Treatment: Men about to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy can freeze their sperm beforehand. These treatments risk causing testicular failure or permanent sterility.

• Managing Non-Malignant Conditions: Diseases like diabetes or autoimmune disorders can damage testicular function. Freezing sperm is advisable in these cases.

• Sperm Donation Programs: Cryopreservation allows time to thoroughly screen donors for infectious diseases before using the sperm.

• Assisting Surgical Sperm Retrieval: For men with azoospermia, sperm extracted surgically (TESE/PESA) can be frozen. This avoids the need for repeated procedures.

• Reducing Stress on Procedure Day: Patients can provide a sample in advance. This eliminates the stress and potential failure of producing a sample on the day of egg retrieval.

• Exposure to Toxins: It is recommended for men exposed to agents that could harm sperm production.