There are several reasons why men may need to consider male fertility preservation. Cancer treatments, for example, can put men at a higher risk for infertility, as can low sperm count, abnormal sperm function, or blockage issues. Some men freeze sperm to donate to couples who are unable to conceive on their own. Whatever the reasons, this guide will illustrate several methods of male fertility preservation.

Different Kinds of Male Fertility Preservation

Sperm Banking

One way to preserve sperm is through a sperm bank. A sperm bank is a medical lab that collects and stores sperm from male donors. To freeze sperm for a sperm bank, the man produces a sample at home or a medical lab. If done at home, the sample needs to be kept at body temperature and delivered in less than an hour to ensure preservation. Kits containing a preserving chemical may be used for overnight delivery. Frozen sperm can be stored for up to 30 years.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

For men whose sperm count is closer to the normal range, their sample can be put in a tube and placed in the female’s uterus through a process called Intrauterine Insemination. Once in place, ideally, the sperm will fertilize the egg.

In Vitro Fertilization - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

If the male has less than two million available sperm cells, then In Vitro Fertilization with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF-ICSI) is an option. During this process, an embryologist injects sperm into an egg harvested from the female partner. If an embryo begins to develop, it is placed in the uterus, where it will hopefully start the pregnancy.

Semen Analysis

Often, to determine the appropriate method and to assess if enough viable semen is available for preservation, a semen analysis is conducted. There are typically three factors used in this analysis.

• Sperm count - the number of sperm present in one milliliter of semen, which should be at least 20 million sperm cells
• Motility - the percentage of sperm that are actively moving, with 50 percent being the ideal
• Morphology - the shape of the sperm, 30 percent having normal shape is ideal 

If you are a couple that has had difficulty conceiving, the experts at Diamond Institute for Infertility & Menopause in Essex County can help. This team, led by Dr. Matan Yemini and Dr. Ndidimaka Onwubalili, has served patients for over 40 years. Located in Milburn, NJ, these professionals work hard to find the treatment that’s right for you. Call (973) 761-5600 to schedule an appointment or visit them online for a full list of services.