Sperm Storage FAQs

See Sperm Storage Fees

• Who needs sperm storage services?

  Several situations exist where sperm storage is an option:
  1. You are a purchasing donor sperm from our donor registry and want to store specimens for future use. View our Vial Buy & Store page for more information.
  2. You need to store your own sperm due to medical or social issues. View our Sperm Storage page for more information. Active Duty Military receive the first year of storage free.
  3. You want to use a directed (known) donor and want to store his semen for future use. View our Directed Donor (Known Donor) page for more information.

• What is involved in storing your own sperm?

  Patients desiring our services should call 1-800-338-8407 for information. We will return your call within 1-3 business days to schedule your appointment.

  Each individual sperm sample is evaluated prior to freezing and a small aliquot is analyzed after freezing for survivability. This allows the laboratory to provide the patient with detailed information concerning the potential use of his cryopreserved sperm samples. Many assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for fertilization purposes are available today including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These technologies allow for the use of a wide range of sperm samples for the purpose of future fertilization and pregnancy. Very importantly, even one correctly preserved sample contains sufficient sperm for numerous ICSI and IVF treatments with generally a high likelihood of successful pregnancy attainment.

  All semen specimens are stored at -196o C in liquid nitrogen tanks equipped with automatic fill devices and alarm systems. Fairfax Cryobank also provides liquid nitrogen transport tanks for shipping patient specimens to their physician or health care provider when requested for use.

• Do your offer sperm banking by mail?

  Fairfax Cryobank is proud to offer the Fairfax Sperm Freezing Kit, an overnight collection kit in association with Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc of Roseville, MN. The Fairfax Sperm Freezing Kit offers men the opportunity to cryopreserve their semen specimens prior to medical treatment, even if they are unable to travel to a sperm bank.

• How long can you store frozen sperm?

  Cryopreserved specimens, when properly stored, will remain viable for an indefinite amount of time. Pregnancies have been reported for cases in which the sperm has been stored for 20 years prior to thawing and insemination.

• Is the freezing process harmful to the sperm cells?

  Approximately 50% or more of the sperm cells survive the freezing/thawing process. The fertilization capability of the surviving sperm cells is not jeopardized during the freezing/thawing process.

• How many semen specimens should I store?

  Fairfax Cryobank recommends storing at least two semen specimens 48-72 hours apart prior to chemotherapy treatment or surgery. Patients that only have time for one specimen are encouraged to bank their sperm because each specimen is divided into vials and may be used for multiple fertility procedures.

• How many days of sexual abstinence should I have prior to producing a specimen?

  Patients are asked to have abstained from all sexual activity for at least 2 to 5 days prior to the appointment and to have had at least one ejaculate within the last 5 days. This should allow for the best possible specimen and permit a suitable number of doses to be banked for future use.

• Will my insurance cover the cost of sperm banking and will you bill my insurance company directly for reimbursement?

  Fairfax Cryobank does not have the facilities to bill insurance companies directly for reimbursement. We can provide you with copies of paid invoices to submit to insurance companies upon request.

• What blood tests are required for sperm banking?

  All patients are required to have HIV 1/2 Antibody, Hep B surface Antigen and Hep C Antibody tests completed within the last 30 days or have their blood drawn for the tests at the time of the appointment. For specimens used in the state of California, HTLV I/II and syphillis testing is required in addition to the HIV 1/2, Hep B and Hep C tests. Patients who have had the tests completed within the last 30 days must bring a copy of the test results at the time of the appointment.

• What forms do I need to complete?

  Please request that the required forms be mailed to you prior to your visit by contacting us. They will also be available at the Cryobank at the time of your appointment if you have not had a chance to receive and complete the necessary information.

• What are the fees involved?

  For more information on our sperm storage fees, visit our Fees page.