Sperm banks collect and freeze sperm for same-sex partners and couples with fertility problems. The viability of frozen sperm depends on the initial strength of the sperm, and some sperm may not survive freezing. Frozen semen should be used within 12 years for the best chance of success. Proper storage and thawing are crucial for maintaining viability.
Sperm is collected and frozen for later use for many different reasons. Sperm banks collect sperm from donors and freeze sperm for same-sex partners and couples with fertility problems who need sperm donation. A number of factors contribute to how long frozen sperm stays viable, and alone time isn’t usually a big concern. Frozen sperm will generally remain viable for a long time as long as it is frozen properly to begin with and not thawed and refrozen.
The initial strength of the sperm affects the viability of frozen semen more than the length of time it is frozen. Strong, healthy sperm will remain viable for a longer period of time than weak, unhealthy sperm. Also, every man’s sperm will react differently to being frozen; up to 20% of men have sperm that doesn’t freeze well and won’t survive freezing. Once thawed, some sperm will remain strong while others may decline in health and become less viable.
Although scientists have been able to freeze sperm since the 1950s, modern methods weren’t really developed until the 1960s, so it’s hard to predict how long properly stored, frozen sperm will remain viable. Some experts recommend that frozen semen be used within 12 years, however, for the best chance it’s workable. In the early 2000s, a child conceived with frozen sperm 21 years earlier was born. Studies have also indicated that babies born from frozen sperm appear to be just as healthy as other babies.
The sperm freezing procedure plays an important role in the preservation and viability of the frozen semen for future use. After extensive testing to determine the quality of the sperm, it is split and placed in vials with a protective compound. Semen must be frozen gradually at extremely cold temperatures; typically, this begins with liquid nitrogen vapor. The samples are then transferred to long-term storage in liquid nitrogen tanks at at least -321°F (-196°C).
Frozen sperm must be thawed carefully to remain viable. When the vials are opened, they should not be exposed to room temperature for more than a few seconds before being placed in a body-temperature warm water bath — 98 °C (37 °F) — for several minutes. When thawing, the vials must be completely immersed in water to avoid significant temperature losses. After the frozen semen has been thawed, it is placed in an insemination device.
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