Fertility Care and Preservation
Services for Males

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Fertility Services for Male Patients

There are two fertility preservations options available to male patients planning to undergo medical treatments that may be damaging to the testicles.

For most male patients who have undergone puberty, cryopreservation of sperm is a relatively easy and timely procedure.

Currently, the only available option for pre-pubertal males is testicular tissue freezing under an experimental protocol.

Below is a summary of options provided by the Comprehensive Fertility Care & Preservation Program. You should discuss your particular situation with your doctor to determine what the best option for you is as well as the full range of risks and benefits.

Sperm Banking

Process

Independent collection of semen / sperm samples may be collected in a private inpatient facility at Cincinnati Children's or at our outpatient lab facility in coordination with the University of Cincinnati Center for Reproductive Health.

  • Sperm sample collection through self-stimulation
  • 1-3 sperm samples required
  • Sperm analysis and freezing completed

Timeframe may vary based on several factors, including time available prior to treatment, sample size and quality and number of samples collected.

  • 1-7 days

Success rates are variable by institution and are subject to change prior to the patient’s utilization of their sperm.

  • Sperm can be successfully maintained indefinitely
  • 4 percent to 10 percent live birth rate per cycle with intrauterine insemination
  • About 30 percent live birth rate per embryo with in-vitro fertilization (+/-intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

A complete discussion of the full range of risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician.  This list is meant only to provide an outline of those most common.

  • May be unable to freeze due to low sperm count
  • May be unable to collect sperm sample

Costs are variable based on medical coverage and are subject to change. Call for estimates.

Anticipated expenses:

  • Initial sperm analysis & freezing
  • Subsequent samples
  • Storage fee
  • Labs (generally covered by insurance)
  • Uncertain future cost for use

Given ever-changing scientific development, we are unable to fully describe the long-term implications or considerations for each patient. However, given where we are today, patients should consider and understand the possible future fertility interventions.

  • Sperm analysis post-treatment may be normal, at which time you would not require use of your frozen sample
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)  
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)  
  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI)  

Testicular Biopsy / Freezing (Experimental Treatment Protocol)

Process

This procedure is currently offered at multiple institutions across the United States, including at Cincinnati Children’s. We work closely with the University of Pittsburg for the processing of the tissue.

  • Small incision to the testicle under general anesthesia
  • Remove a portion of testicle or one entire testicle
  • 2-3 days (plus travel)

Due to the novel and experimental nature of this procedure, success rates are currently not available. Science is improving rapidly and success has been found in animal models. 

  • Unknown

A complete discussion of the full range of risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician. This list is meant only to provide an outline of those most common. 

  • Bleeding
  • Minimal pain & swelling
  • Infection

Costs are variable based on medical coverage and are subject to change. Call for estimates.

  • Fertility Consult Fee (generally covered by insurance)
  • Procedural Cost: Covered under experimental protocol
  • Tissue processing & freezing: Covered under experimental protocol
  • First year of tissue storage: Covered under experimental protocol
  • Subsequent tissue storage
  • Labs: Covered under experimental protocol 
  • Uncertain future cost for use

Given ever-changing scientific development, we are unable to fully describe the long-term implications or considerations for each patient. However, given where we are today, patients should consider and understand the possible future fertility interventions.

  • Possible need for testicular prosthetic later in life
  • Possible in vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Possible intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
  • Possible intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Contact us.

Services Available for Female Patients

Fertility Consultation & Preservation Services offers a full spectrum of fertility services for female patients, including GnRH therapy, embryo freezing, ovarian tissue freezing and ovarian transposition. Read More
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