Importance of frozen-stored human semen in the spread of gonorrhea.

The sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhea in both infected human semen and urine to routine handling and storage above and below the freezing temperature has been studied. It was found that gonococci in such physiologic media remain viable in storage under atmospheric conditions, in gauze-plugged shell vials or in sealed plastic straws, for 1 to 8 days at +22 degrees C. Furthermore, cryo-survival of gonococci was demonstrated after pretreatment at +22 degrees C; freezing to, and thawing from, -196 degrees C; and frozen storage at -196 degrees C for at least 18 months, with and without the cryo-protectant glycerol. The relationship between laboratory diagnostic testing, disease transmission by males, and therapeutic donor insemination (AID) was discussed. It was strongly urged that only frozen-stored semen should be used in AID, primarily because of the possible use of asymptomatic donors. Cryo-preservation would ensure adequate testing of each sample to be inseminated, preventing the transmission of pandemic gonorrhea via semen.