Protect your option
to be a dad
Sperm freezing lets you preserve your reproductive capacity before a planned vasectomy, oncological treatment, surgery with reproductive risk, or any life event that may affect your fertility. Vitrification at -196°C in certified banks.
Sperm cryopreservation is the technique that freezes sperm cells at -196°C to keep their reproductive capacity intact for years. Unlike women, men don't face a biological clock as marked, but there are specific situations where preserving sperm becomes a key clinical and strategic decision.
The most common reasons are medical (before chemotherapy or radiotherapy, before surgery with reproductive risk) or planning-related (before a vasectomy, in couples with complex fertility treatment, or in professions with exposure to factors that may damage sperm quality).
At Ingenes we preserve your sample in certified nitrogen banks with complete traceability and continuous supervision. When you decide to use it, it is thawed and applied in the assisted reproduction treatment appropriate to your case.
- 0°C Ultra-rapid vitrification
- +0 years Of demonstrated viability
- In-house bank Continuous supervision
Why sperm preservation makes the difference
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Protects your reproductive option
In the face of medical events or life decisions that may affect your fertility (oncological, vasectomy, surgery), preserving today leaves the door open to becoming a dad when you want.
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Vitrification with clinical backing
The sperm cryopreservation technique has been validated for decades. Post-thaw survival rates are high, especially when the sample is preserved at its best moment.
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Our own bank with traceability
Your sample is stored in our liquid nitrogen banks under controlled conditions, with full cellular traceability and a detailed report of quantity and quality.
Six profiles that benefit from sperm cryopreservation
Sperm preservation isn't a decision for every man, but it is a key decision in specific situations. These are the most frequent profiles in our consultation.
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Before oncological treatment
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can permanently affect sperm production. Preserving before starting treatment is a standard clinical recommendation.
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Before a vasectomy
If you're going to have a vasectomy but want to keep the option of having children in the future, preserving sperm is the most reliable way to do so without depending on a possible reversal.
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Surgeries with reproductive risk
Procedures on testicles, prostate, bladder or pelvic region can affect fertility. Preserving beforehand leaves a backup if the surgery impacts your reproductive capacity.
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Documented low sperm quality
If your semen analysis shows progressive deterioration, severe oligospermia or risk of azoospermia, preserving the material available today can be crucial for a future IVF/ICSI treatment.
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Professions with risk exposure
Jobs with exposure to chemicals, radiation, sustained heat or mutagenic agents may affect sperm quality over time. Preserving young secures genetic material in better condition.
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Complex fertility treatments
If your partner is undergoing IVF and your schedule or travel makes it difficult to be available on the day of egg retrieval, preserving in advance guarantees that the sample is ready when needed.
Your path is unique. So is your plan.
We design a protocol tailored to you after understanding your story and your previous tests. No generic diagnoses or protocols.
The sperm cryopreservation process, step by step
1. Prior serological tests. Blood tests to rule out infections (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis). It's a standard clinical requirement before preservation, for the safety of the bank and the process.
2. Sample collection. Collection of 1 to 3 semen samples is requested in controlled conditions, with a recommended prior abstinence period (2 to 5 days). This allows obtaining sufficient and good-quality material.
3. Semen analysis. Each sample is analyzed to evaluate concentration, motility, morphology and viability. The data is documented in your report and defines how many useful doses can be generated.
4. Cryopreservation. Samples are processed with validated techniques (bead freezing or nitrogen vapor) and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196°C.
5. Storage and report. Your sample remains stored in our banks with full traceability. You receive a report indicating the quantity, quality and useful doses available for future use.
What treatments can use preserved sperm
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IVF with ICSI
The most frequent indication. Each sperm is injected directly into the egg, maximizing the use of the preserved sample.
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IVF with PICSI
Advanced sperm selection by hyaluronic acid affinity. Useful when the preserved sperm quality is heterogeneous.
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Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Applicable when the preserved sperm quality is sufficient and the female factor allows it. A low-complexity treatment.
Preservation within the TripleMed™ model
Sperm preservation at Ingenes is not an isolated service: it's integrated into the TripleMed™ model, which combines reproductive medicine, genetic and regenerative medicine, and metabolic medicine. That means your case is evaluated by the appropriate multidisciplinary team.
If your preservation is for oncological reasons, we coordinate with your oncology team so as not to delay your primary treatment. If it's for documented low sperm quality, we evaluate whether there's a treatable metabolic or genetic cause that could improve the picture before or after preservation.
And when you decide to use your sample, the same Ingenes team designs the appropriate IVF/ICSI/PICSI or IUI plan for your case and your partner's, with the full backing of the TripleMed™ model.
Frequently asked questions about sperm preservation
How long can sperm cells stay frozen?
Cryopreserved samples retain viability for many years. There are documented successful births with sperm preserved for over 30 years. Initial storage is for one year and renewed based on your needs.
Does cryopreservation reduce sperm quality?
There's a small expected loss in motility after thawing, but modern techniques (vitrification, vapor freezing) minimize that impact. The effective fertility of preserved sperm remains very high when used in IVF/ICSI.
How many samples do I need to provide?
We typically recommend between 1 and 3 samples, with a prior abstinence period of 2 to 5 days. The final quantity depends on your clinical case and the useful doses we need to generate for the planned future use.
What treatments can preserved sperm be used for?
Mainly for IVF with ICSI or PICSI, where each sperm is maximized. Also for intrauterine insemination (IUI) if preserved quality and female factor allow it. Your reproductive physician explains the complete plan at the moment of the decision.
Is there an age limit to preserve sperm?
There's no strict limit, but sperm quality also declines with age, especially after 45-50 years (higher DNA fragmentation, lower motility). Preserving young secures material in better biological condition.
If I get a vasectomy, isn't it easier to reverse it later?
Vasectomy reversal is possible but not always successful and post-reversal sperm quality is variable. Preserving before vasectomy leaves a reliable option independent of the success of an eventual reversal.
Is it covered by medical insurance?
It depends on the policy and reason. When done for oncological indication or other documented medical cause, more coverage options usually exist. Our team helps you verify it at the First Consultation.
Considering preserving your sperm?
At the First Consultation we review your history and the reasons for preservation (vasectomy, oncological, low sperm quality or others), explain the complete process and design the appropriate plan for your case.
Contact us