The effect of cancer on semen quality after cryopreservation of sperm.

The results of cryopreservation of sperm from cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed in an effort to better understand the relationship between semen quality and the presence of different kinds of cancer. The semen analysis results for 146 patients referred to our infertility center for sperm banking over a 2-year period were examined. These patients were divided into three groups according to their diagnosis: group I, prevasectomy controls; group II, patients with lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease; and group III, patients with testicular cancer, e.g., seminoma, embryonal cell carcinoma, or teratocarcinoma. The seminal parameters assessed included sperm count and prefreeze and postthaw motility and velocity. For these parameters, significant decrease from control values (P less than 0.05 to P less than 0.01) was seen in groups II and III. The specimens from group I patients retained good motility and velocity after thawing. Our results indicate that semen quality is adversely affected by the presence of cancer in the body.