Today's younger generation is worried about being affected by infertility, bringing forth fertility preservation options for both genders. Also, age is one of the most critical factors that affect sperm quality. Therefore, men can plan and proceed with sperm freezing or sperm cryopreservation if they wish to preserve their good-quality sperms for the future. Sperm freezing refers to a procedure in which the retrieved sperm sample is frozen. The retrieval procedure is simpler as compared to that of women. Hence, most IVF experts recommend sperm preservation in case their patients wish to delay parenthood.  

Dr Hrishikesh Pai of Bloom IVF, one of India's most well-established IVF chains and pioneer of IVF in India, states, 'Sperm freezing has become the need of the hour considering multiple factors affecting the current living patterns. Moreover, it is proven that they do not impact the IVF cycle in any way. So, I would recommend sperm preservation is ideal for those men who wish to have children or start a family later.' 

Sperm freezing has been in practice since the 1950s. In 1953, frozen sperm was first used to conceive with success. The male patient's age and health condition during sperm freezing determines the quality of sperm obtained. Sperm analysis is done for sperm count and motility. Also, the likelihood of a percentage of frozen sperm remaining motile after thawing has to be considered for a successful conception. Generally, up to 50% of the frozen sperms are good to use. 

Apart from fertility preservation, other reasons include hormone replacement therapy, 

cancer treatment, vasectomy, infertility due to a hazardous work environment, and so on make it necessary to go ahead with sperm freezing. During ongoing fertility treatments, the IVF specialist may suggest cryopreserving sperm before the procedure. If the male partner is likely to be absent on the day the sperm is essential, i.e. for use in vitro fertilization or insemination, he can freeze his sperm before its use as and when necessary. If the male partner has a low sperm count, storing a reserve sample in advance could be beneficial in case there isn't an adequate amount of sperm in a new ejaculate sample.

Males interested in sperm freezing should consult a fertility specialist or a gynaecologist, such as Bloom IVF, regarding the sperm preservation procedure, its pros and cons, and a cost estimate. The sperm freezing procedure begins with sperm collection and ends with a frozen sperm sample. 

Dr Hrishikesh Pai explains the entire sperm-freezing procedure in simple words. 

The first procedure of sperm collection is quite a simple one. The male is screened for contagious illnesses, particularly sexual infections, before acquiring the sperm sample. Then, the male patient can take the sperm sample at the clinic or home. The sperm sample should be appropriately stored and sent to the laboratory for analysis. 

A  microscopic examination of the sperm reveals the quantity of semen discharged, the texture of the emitted fluid, the actual number of sperm - called the sperm count - and how the sperm are moving (this is known as motility). 

Depending on the results of the sperm analysis, the sperm is put into one or more vials and then blended with a cryoprotectant solution, which helps safeguard the sperm. 

The use of cryoprotectants is to substitute the water that is normally within the sperm cell and help to preserve the sperm. In addition, they prevent ice crystal formation in the vial, which harms the sperm membrane. 

Lastly, there is an orderly decrease in temperature in a freezer, with long-term storage in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, and the frozen sperm is stored for future use. There are reports of successful pregnancies from sperm that have been frozen for more than 30 years through IUI and other IVF procedures.

Dr Hrishikesh Pai advises that individuals likely to proceed with sperm freezing should seek suitable medical advice and guidance on time. In addition, the cost and convenience of sperm freezing are two essential factors that should be considered when taking any decision regarding the same. 

About Dr Hrishikesh Pai

Since 1991, Dr Pai has been a leader in the field of Infertility and IVF in India. He is the first Indian doctor to bring in several advances in medical areas like assisted laser hatching, spindle view, freezing ovarian tissue for people with cancer, freezing oocytes, IMSI, and embryoscope.

Currently, he is the Director of Bloom IVF Group, which has facilities in Mumbai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Mohali, and Navi Mumbai. He has also set up an IVF clinic at the D Y Patil Medical College to cater to people from all backgrounds requiring IVF assistance and treatment.

To ensure that people from all backgrounds can access medical care. His impactful work has been recognized with the 'Best IVF Group in India' award presented by the International Agency for Frost & Sullivan in 2013. In 2015, his peers chose him as President of the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR) to show appreciation for his achievements.

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