Sperm Storage

Download our patient brochure in PDF format.

(Testing requirements have been updated since this brochure was printed. Click here for the updated list.)

'He Looks Just Like Dad' by Linda Kramer; People Magazine, 9.10.07 pp 111 to 112.

Iraq war widows Maria Sutherland and Kathleen Carrol-Smith have beautiful healthy babies - despite the fact that both fathers at the time of conception had already died. Kathleen used Fairfax Cryobank to store her husband's sperm before he was deployed. Fairfax Cryobank director, William Jaeger is quoted as saying 'Technology has given couples options. You can have a child after your spouse passes away." Fairfax Cryobank has banked sperm for over 500 servicemen since 2002.

Read a story highlighting Fairfax Cryobank's sperm storage program in USA Today (February 12, 2007) Science Makes Fallen Soldier a Father

Special Program: Active Duty Military receive the first year of storage free. (Available at our Fairfax Cryobank facilities in Fairfax, Austin, Philadelphia, and Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc in Roseville, MN)

Fairfax Cryobank, a Genetics & IVF Institute Cryobank, has been in operation since 1986 and has grown into one of the largest commercial anonymous donor sperm banks in the country. In addition, we have provided sperm cryopreservation and storage services for individuals and oncology patients at our Fairfax, Virginia and Austin, Texas facilities. Click here for a listing of our facilities and affiliated freezing centers.

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

Several situations exist where sperm storage is an option:

1. You are 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. You may want or need to store your own sperm due medical issues or becasue you are unsure of when you will conceive a child. See further details below.

3. You want to use a directed (known) donor and want to store his semen for future use. View our Directed Donor page for more information.

Why consider cryopreservation of your own sperm?

Prior to cancer related therapies: Oncofertility

Before you or someone you love begin any form of cancer treatment, consult with your doctor about the risks of sterility or infertility. Many common cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation may permanently affect your ability to father children. Sperm freezing prior to, or in the early stages of, treatment offers men the security of knowing that the possibility of fatherhood is preserved. The rapid advancements of assisted reproductive technology have greatly enhanced the chances for men undergoing cancer treatment or other therapies that result in sterility, to father their own biological children. Cryopreserved specimens, when properly stored, will remain viable for almost an indefinite period of time. Pregnancies have been reported for cases in which the sperm has been stored for 20 years prior to thawing and insemination. Click here to view an article in The Cancer Journal from Scientific American regarding preservation of reproductive function before therapy for cancer.
Fairfax Cryobank, a state licensed and inspected facility, has one of the largest inventories of cryopreserved oncology patients' semen in the United States. Based on our expertise and location in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area we receive many referrals from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and other local hematologists, medical and radiation oncologists.
Fairfax Cryobank understands the urgency of beginning cancer treatment as soon as possible; therefore, we reserve appointment times for oncology patients every morning. If possible, it is advantageous for patients to bank all semen specimens prior to beginning their chemotherapy or radiation treatment. However, recent studies have shown that viable samples can be collected in the early stages of some treatments. The quality of each individual's sperm sample varies and may depend on the patient's condition and previous medication or treatment.

"Cryopreservation of semen should be offered to cancer patients irrespective of the type of disease."

O. F. Pardon, M.D., et al.
Effects of cancer on spermatozoa quality after cryopreservation: a 12 year experience.
Fertility and Sterility, vol. 67, no. 2. February, 1997.

Prior to testicular, prostate or similar surgery

The option to freeze and store semen prior to impending surgery may preserve a man's reproductive capability.

Prior to vasectomy

Although vasectomy is a common method of birth control, many men prefer the peace of mind that comes from banking their semen prior to a vasectomy. This safeguard allows these men the possibility of satisfying future fertility needs.

Prior to an Assisted Reproductive Technology procedure

By storing semen prior to IVF, GIFT, ICSI or similar procedure, the availability of the sperm sample at the critical time of the procedure is ensured.

For high-risk occupations

Many occupations put men at "high risk" of injury to their reproductive system and possible infertility.
People who work with environmental pollutants.
Workers in X-ray or nuclear environments.
Firemen, policemen and construction workers who are prone to falls and other accidents which could result in testicular injury.
Men in military service.
Hockey, soccer, basketball and football players run a particularly high risk of testicular injury which may impair fertility.

For oligozoospermia patients

Sperm banking may help treat men with oligozoospermia, or low sperm concentration. We concentrate the semen specimens, cryopreserve and store them. The specimens are then pooled by the physician to increase the probability of pregnancy.

"Cryopreservation should still be considered even in cases of decreased semen quality because today's assisted reproductive technologies have resulted in pregnancies using very low numbers of sperm."

Fertility after cancer treatment - a guide for patients.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 1995

For MTF trans patients

Before a patient begins hormone treatment, they can bank semen speciemens to preserve fertility options for the future
Contact one of our locations to learn more about the process

Click here to read more Sperm Storage FAQs

Click here to find out about our Sperm Banking Mail-In Kit- Priority Male (TM)

Click here to read more about oocyte (egg) freezing.