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Types of Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is the storage of living organisms at an ultra low temperature so that they can be revived and restored at a later date. The length of time you wish to have the organisms frozen determines the process. Ultra cold freezers can preserve living cells for weeks or even years; liquid nitrogen is used for longer periods of time. Cryopreservation is most often used to aid reproduction among humans.

  1. Sperm Cryopreservation

    • Insemination using previously frozen sperm has a greater success rate than reversing a vasectomy or extracting sperm directly from the testicle. Sperm cryopreservation is most often used before undergoing cancer therapy that could cause infertility and before having prostate or testicular surgery. Sperm cryopreservation is also used for men who work high-risk jobs with chemicals, have a low sperm count or ejaculatory dysfunction.

    Egg Cryopreservation

    • Egg cryopreservation is more difficult than sperm cryopreservation and involves a multistage lab procedure. The eggs can later be thawed, fertilized, and implanted in order to achieve pregnancy. Egg cryopreservation is most often used for professional women and single women who wish to have children at a later date. Egg cryopreservation is used in women who have to undergo radiation, chemotherapy, or have to have their ovaries removed.

    Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation

    • Testicular tissue cryopreservation is accomplished by performing a biopsy to retrieve the tissue. It is then cut up into small pieces. Sperm are separated from the tissue by using seminiferous tubules that are isolated and incubated in collagenase for a period of one hour. The tubules are then rinsed and the sperm is removed by using needles and fine tweezers. The tissue and sperm samples are placed in liquid nitrogen until needed.

    Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation

    • In ovarian tissue cryopreservation the tissue is removed through a laparoscopic procedure and part of the ovary is cut into thin slices. The ovarian tissue must be treated with a cryoprotectant before freezing. After treatment the tissue is frozen in liquid nitrogen until it is needed.

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