Fertility Preservation

  • Female
  • Male

  • Male

    Dewars Liquid Nitrogen TankCancer therapies, like chemotherapy and radiation, as well as other disease or illness may compromise the health and fertility of the reproductive system. Fertility preservation can be a welcome option to those about to undergo medical treatments in which sterility can result. At HEARTLAND we offer the cryopreservation of sperm and embryos giving opportunity and hope for a fertile future.







    There are a variety issues that may cause male sterility such as:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Vasectomy
  • Injury or disease of the spinal chord
  • Pelvis or testicular surgery
  • Erectile difficulty

    • In such cases where future fertility hangs in the balance many men decide to freeze sperm in order to sustain the possibility of fathering children.

    How many samples?

    Though just one sperm sample can be enough for conception, it is generally recommended that you make several donations or samples. In some instances where surgery or cancer treatment is pending, time may be the deciding factor as to how many samples can be collected.

    How long?

    Sperm can be frozen indefinitely allowing you to choose when you want to pursue fertility. If you die before the sperm is used, your written consent must have been given in order for your partner to use the sperm.

    How can I use it?

    When you're ready, the sperm is thawed and your HEARTLAND physician will assess both you and your partner to determine the treatment plan that will give you an optimal chance of conceiving. Generally, once the sperm is thawed it is put into your partner's uterus via Inrauterine Insemination (IUI). If there is not a sufficient supply of sperm or it's quality is in question, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may be necessary.

    IUI - requires a minimum of 5 million motile sperm per cycle
    IVF - minimum of 1 million motile sperm per cycle
    IVF with ICSI - one sperm per egg

    How successful is it?

    Success rates of frozen sperm depends on a variety of factors such as your health and any issues or illness that may effect the quality of your sperm, your partner's age and fertility and the method of assisted reproduction that is used (IUI, IVF, ICSI). Approximately 60% of sperm survive the freezing and thawing process, another reason why it is beneficial to have more than one sample.

    Cancer Care Canada

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