Sperm banking has become an increasingly common practice for men looking to preserve their fertility. However, there are questions around how long sperm can or should be stored for. Some key questions around sperm storage include:
How long can sperm survive when frozen?
When frozen and stored under the right conditions, sperm can remain viable for many years. Most sperm banks will store specimens indefinitely as long as storage fees are paid. Studies have found that the majority of sperm samples survive the freeze-thaw process and can remain viable for decades when cryopreserved at -196°C. One study found that sperm samples could survive for up to 28 years when frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor.
Does the quality of sperm deteriorate over time when frozen?
Research suggests that while sperm can remain viable for long periods of time when frozen, the quality does gradually decline over many years in storage.
One study examined sperm samples stored for 10-28 years and found a steady decline in sperm motility and viability over time. After 10 years, average motility declined from 63% to 55%. After 28 years, motility declined to 35%.
Other studies have found similar declines in sperm quality, with lower motility and higher DNA fragmentation seen in samples stored for over a decade compared to newer samples.
So while sperm may technically remain viable with decades of freezing, the quality appears to deteriorate, which could impact fertility.
How long should sperm be stored for?
Due to the potential decline in quality over time, many experts recommend not storing sperm indefinitely.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggests that sperm should remain frozen for up to 10 years for fertility purposes. After 10 years, the sample should be discarded or used for research only.
Some sperm banks set storage limits of 20-40 years. However, this timeline is based more on logistical and legal limits for storage rather than medical recommendations.
Experts caution against relying on sperm stored for more than 10-15 years for fertility use, as the declining quality makes pregnancy less likely over time.
Should you continue paying to store old sperm samples?
If you have sperm in long-term storage, you may be questioning whether it is worth continuing to pay yearly storage fees after many years have passed. There are a few factors to consider when making this decision:
What was the original purpose for storing your sperm?
– If sperm was banked for future fertility use, old samples over 10 years should likely be discarded based on medical recommendations. The quality is unlikely to be high enough to achieve pregnancy.
– If it was stored as “fertility insurance” in case of events like illness or injury, having a back-up sample may provide peace of mind. However, newer samples may be advisable for improved quality.
– If sperm was banked for other reasons like cultural/religious beliefs about sperm disposal, you may wish to continue storage indefinitely.
Does maintaining old samples provide you any benefits?
– For fertility use, old samples are unlikely to be very useful. Newer samples should be stored instead.
– Storing for cultural, religious or personal reasons may still provide comfort or fulfill an obligation.
– In some cases, sperm is stored for potential future use in reproduction like cloning. This use remains theoretical but having biological material preserved may retain future options.
– If samples were stored for research purposes, they may provide value for ongoing studies and trials.
What are the costs?
– Storage fees at sperm banks range from $200-$500 per year. This cost accumulates every year.
– At a certain point, you may be paying more in fees than the usefulness of the sample merits.
– Discarding samples when they are unlikely to result in pregnancy could save thousands in unnecessary fees over decades.
– If you stop paying fees, samples are typically discarded by the bank.
Are there any legal considerations?
– Some sperm banks set contractual limits on how long samples can be stored (often decades).
– Laws also vary on issues like posthumous use and abandonment of samples if fees lapse. Consider relevant legal obligations.
– If sperm was banked during marriage, disclose discarding old samples to your partner for legal and ethical reasons.
Have your fertility needs changed?
– If you no longer need sperm samples for fertility, storing samples indefinitely may not make sense.
– Consider if life changes like having children, divorce, or infertility warrant re-evaluating continued storage.
– Ensure samples align with your current wishes and life situation.
Reasons some men choose to keep old sperm samples
While the usefulness of decades-old sperm samples is questionable, some men still elect to keep paying for continued storage. Reasons may include:
Cultural or religious beliefs
Some cultures and religions have strong views on the proper handling of biological materials like sperm. For some men, discarding sperm would go against these beliefs. They may feel obligated to preserve samples indefinitely out of duty.
Hope for advances in technology
There are optimistic hopes that future breakthroughs may eventually allow for more successful use of frozen sperm, such as in stem cell therapies or advanced reproductive technologies. Some men pay for storage based on hope such advances come during their lifetime.
Supporting research
Old sperm samples allow researchers to study how sperm quality changes over decades of cryopreservation. Men contributing to fertility studies may continue storage.
Personal preference
Some men consider sperm banking deeply personal. The idea of having biological material preserved provides comfort. For these reasons, they may choose to keep old samples as long as possible.
Future reproductive options
While not feasible now, some believe future technology like human cloning or artificial wombs may provide reproductive options using banked sperm. This speculative hope leads some to prolong storage indefinitely.
Peace of mind
Having banked sperm can provide a sense of insurance for the unexpected. For some men, discarding samples would remove this reassuring safety net.
Reasons discarding old samples may be advisable
There are also good reasons men may want to consider discarding old, stored sperm samples:
Low quality
Sperm quality suffers from years in frozen storage. Motility and DNA integrity decline over time. Using old samples reduces the chance of successful fertilization.
Cost
Storage fees quickly add up every year. Discarding samples that are past recommended usage may save thousands of dollars in unnecessary fees.
Emotional reasons
Holding onto old samples from the past may prevent some men from moving forward emotionally. Letting go can provide a fresh start.
Reduce clutter
Storing old samples you will likely never use again contributes to needless physical and mental clutter. Discarding them can simplify.
Family changes
Relationship changes like divorce or children may mean banked sperm no longer serves the original purpose. Storing samples without a clear reason has less merit.
Lack of definitive fertility need
If sperm was banked “just in case”, but fatherhood goals have been met, keeping samples for decades may be unnecessary.
Legal concerns
In some cases, contractual storage limits, changes in relationship status, or laws may dictate discarding old samples.
Reduce waste
As with any biomedical tissue, needlessly preserving poor quality specimens that are unlikely to be used could be considered wasteful.
Reasons for keeping sperm that may have merit
Not all reasons for keeping old sperm samples should necessarily be dismissed. Some justifications that may have real merit include:
Cultural values
If preserving sperm holds deep cultural meaning, wanting to respect traditions may outweigh practical factors. This is a highly personal decision.
Hope for scientific advancement
Future breakthroughs in biotechnology could potentially increase usefulness of stored sperm in ways we cannot currently predict. Specimens may aid research.
Reproductive flexibility
Stored sperm offers options for future reproduction that may be impossible otherwise, like after death or sterilization. This insurance has appeal.
Supporting biodiversity
As we face declining sperm counts, having biological diversity banked may be seen as socially responsible by some.
Clarity of purpose
If sperm was stored for clear reasons that remain relevant, such as cultural beliefs, continuing storage may make sense. The original goals still apply.
Personal empowerment
For some, preserving their biological material can represent self-determination over family planning choices. This can be deeply meaningful.
Factors to weigh when deciding about old sperm samples
If facing the question of whether to continue storing old frozen sperm, here are some factors to carefully consider:
Likelihood of future use
How likely is it that the samples will actually ever get used, either by you or for research? Consider any declining fertility as well.
Quality
Research shows sperm viability and integrity diminishes over years frozen. Old samples may not lead to successful pregnancy.
Costs
Storage fees accumulate every year. Determine if this cost outweighs the benefits of keeping your samples indefinitely.
Life changes
Have your family, relationships, or fertility objectives changed such that stored samples no longer serve original goals?
Legal obligations
Review any contracts with storage facilities as well as laws regarding sperm storage and posthumous use.
Available alternatives
Newer samples can be banked if desired. In some cases, adoption or sperm donors offer alternatives as well.
Personal philosophy
Do you feel any cultural, religious or symbolic attachment to stored sperm that goes beyond practical considerations?
Advancement hopes
Are you optimistic future tech could make older samples useful again? Or are such hopes too speculative?
Research value
Consider if retaining specimens benefits medical science by allowing study of long-term cryopreservation effects.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to continue paying for indefinite sperm storage is highly complex, depending on medical factors, costs, personal values and available options.
There are reasonable arguments for discarding samples over 10 years old based on declining quality and unnecessary costs if fertility needs are met. However, some men choose to continue storage due to cultural reasons, hopes for future advances, or emotional connection to specimens.
This is a deeply personal choice each man must make for himself based on his individual needs and beliefs. Regardless of whether long-term storage continues or samples are discarded, the decision should be made consciously and in alignment with one’s life values and goals.
