Use rate and assisted reproduction technologies outcome of cryopreserved semen from 629 cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use rate and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) outcome of the cryopreserved semen of cancer patients with an average follow-up of 7 years (range, 2-23 years).

DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis.

SETTING

University-affiliated andrology and reproduction center.

PATIENT(S): Six hundred twenty-nine male cancer patients who were referred for semen cryopreservation between 1983 and 2004.

INTERVENTION(S): Review of patient characteristics and ART outcome.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Use rate and live births using cryopreserved semen.

RESULT(S): A total of 749 semen samples from 557 men were preserved. Ninety-one patients died during follow-up, and another 29 requested disposal. Forty-two patients requested the use of their banked semen. ART data were available for 37 patients. A total of 101 ART cycles (32 IVF, 53 intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSIs], nine cryo-ET, and seven intrauterine inseminations [IUIs]) were performed, resulting in, respectively, 8, 16, 2, and 1 pregnancies. Pregnancies rates for IVF and ICSI were significantly higher than those for IUI.

CONCLUSION(S): So far, 7.5% of the cancer survivors have used their banked semen, which led to live births in 49% of the couples. Semen cryopreservation is a reliable method to preserve fertility potential and gives couples a reasonable chance of achieving parenthood.