Are there any risks associated with cryopreservation?
Yes, all tissue banking has inherent risks associated with loss of cell viability that can result from unforeseen equipment failure or environmental disaster. The Reproductive Sciences Center takes all reasonable precautions to avoid adverse outcomes, including test thaws on all sperm specimens and 24 hour monitoring of storage tanks. How long can cryopreserved material be stored at Reproductive Sciences Center? Specimens may be stored virtually indefinitely. Prolonged storage requires special arrangement with our center including current contact information. Patients are notified annually regarding number of vials of specimens in storage. What is the genetic effect of cancer treatment on sperm? Few studies have assessed the genetic effect of cancer treatment on sperm. Data so far from small patient populations show no evidence for a higher incidence of congenital malformations (birth defects) in children of former male cancer patients. However, there is evidence that during the period
