Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP07-16
Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

The use of cryopreserved of sperm cells from human and animal semen has been a described technique since the 1950s. However, the actual utilization of available cryopreservation technology for human reproduction in sexually intimate partners has been infrequently reported. We set out to examine the utilization of cryopreserved lots of sperm cells processed for males seeking this service at a multispecialty clinic in central Texas during the interval from 1988 through 2015. _x000D_ _x000D_

Methods

A retrospective chart review was undertaken of all the cryopreserved semen samples at our institution from the time period specified above. The purpose for cryopreservation and eventual utilization of the sample were recorded along with outcomes of use for insemination. The types of utilization were accumulated as proportions for different purposes. The timing for use for insemination procedures was evaluated using survival statistics. The frequency of patients arranging to destroy samples was also reported. _x000D_

Results

A total of 1361 cryopreserved semen samples and 81 testicular or epididymal tissue samples were identified. Samples were cryopreserved for 4 purposes: planned intrauterine insemination (IUI), planned in vitro fertilization/intracellular injection (IVF/ICSI), fertility preservation related to cancer treatment, or prior to military deployment. See table 1. Samples cryopreserved for IUI were more likely to be used, whereas VF/ICSI samples were more likely to be destroyed. Of note, while accounting for only a small amount of the samples, those collected for deployment were more likely to be utilized, while those collected for cancer were the least likely to be used. See table 1 for utilization detail. The longest duration from cryopreservation until use was 9.6 years in the cancer cohort. The deployment samples were typically used the earliest. IVF/ICSI samples had the highest proportion of pregnancies (35%). _x000D_ _x000D_

Conclusions

The overall utilization rate of cryopreserved samples in our patients was low (mean, 19.3%). Not previously reported, to our knowledge, was that deployment related samples were used second only to IUI and that usage was earlier compared to other than storage indications._x000D_

Funding

none