Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Cryopreservation of Preimplantation Embryos of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats
Published on: August 5, 2011
Use rate and assisted reproduction technologies outcome of cryopreserved semen from 629 cancer patients
N J van Casteren1, E J P van Santbrink, W van Inzen
1Department of Urology, Andrology Division, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. n.vancasteren@erasmusmc.n
Objective:
To assess the use rate and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcome of the cryopreserved semen of cancer patients with an average follow-up of 7 years (range, 2-23 years).
Design:
Retrospective data analysis.
Setting:
University-affiliated andrology and reproduction center.
Patient(S):
Six hundred twenty-nine male cancer patients who were referred for semen cryopreservation between 1983 and 2004.
Intervention(S):
Review of patient characteristics and ART outcome.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Use rate and live births using cryopreserved semen.
Result(S):
A total of 749 semen samples from 557 men were preserved. Ninety-one patients died during follow-up, and another 29 requested disposal. Forty-two patients requested the use of their banked semen. ART data were available for 37 patients. A total of 101 ART cycles (32 IVF, 53 intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSIs], nine cryo-ET, and seven intrauterine inseminations [IUIs]) were performed, resulting in, respectively, 8, 16, 2, and 1 pregnancies. Pregnancies rates for IVF and ICSI were significantly higher than those for IUI.
Conclusion(S):
So far, 7.5% of the cancer survivors have used their banked semen, which led to live births in 49% of the couples. Semen cryopreservation is a reliable method to preserve fertility potential and gives couples a reasonable chance of achieving parenthood.
