Sperm Storage FAQs
Who needs sperm storage services?
What is involved in storing our sperm?
Do your offer sperm banking by mail?
How long can you store frozen sperm?
Is the freezing process harmful to the sperm cells?
How many semen specimens should I store?
How many days of sexual abstinence should I have prior to producing
a specimen?
Will my insurance cover the cost of sperm banking and will you
bill my insurance company directly for reimbursement?
What blood tests are required for sperm banking?
What forms do I need to complete?
Where can I go to bank my sperm?
What are the fees involved?
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 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 are able to schedule all patient appointments within 1 to 3 days
of the initial call. 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 Priority Male (TM) 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.
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. 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.
Where can I go bank my sperm?
Where can I go to bank my sperm?
Please see the complete list on this webpage: Freezing Centers
What are the fees involved?
Storage fees are per storage client, regardless of the number of specimens
being stored.Payment is expected at time of service.
Fee Schedule: Effective April 1, 2014 |
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Semen Cryopreservation Services: Storing Your Own Sperm |
|
Semen Analysis Only |
$150/specimen |
Semen Specimen Analysis, Standard Process and Freeze (unwashed) |
$350/specimen |
Semen Specimen Analysis, Prewashed Process and Freeze |
$460/specimen |
Initial Visit Consultation |
$150 |
Blood Panel: minimum infectious disease testing |
$140 |
Semen Specimen Release (Handling) |
$45 |
Transfer Fee (transfer of ownership) |
$220 |
Mail-in Sperm Banking Kit: Priority Male (includes shipping and handling. Non-refundable. Semen prepration and storage are not included.) |
$65/each |
Mail-In Sperm Banking Kit: Priority Male- semen preparation |
$340 |
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Storage Services* |
|
Fees are by account regardless of the number of vials stored |
|
Semen Specimens / Patient-
monthly |
$40 |
Semen Specimens / Patient-
Pre-paid 1 Year |
$395 |
Semen Specimens / Patient-
Pre-paid 2 Years |
$670 |
Semen Specimens / Patient- Pre-paid 3 Years |
$985 |
Semen Specimens / Patient-
Pre-paid 5 Years |
$1340 |
Semen Specimens/ Patient- Pre-paid 10 years |
$2400 |
Semen Specimen Release
(Handling) |
$45 |
* Known positive specimens will be subject to additional storage fees. |