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Gamete Cryopreservation

Gamete cryopreservation is the technical name for sperm banking and is the cooling and storage of sperm at very low temperatures for a prolonged period. Men may choose to bank sperm if there is a possibility of losing fertility. This is an important option for men who have not established a family or whose family is not yet complete.

All men who hope to father a child in the future should consider cryopreservation of semen or testicular tissue, even if the specimens have low numbers of sperm.

The following pages of information will help explain more about the options and sperm banking issues:

Sperm Banking Procedure

 Semen Analysis

 Instructions for Sperm Sample Collection

 Frequently Asked Questions

Who "owns" my sperm sample(s)?
Why is legal custody of cryopreserved samples an issue?
After the initial storage, what are my options for use of the cryopreserved specimen?
Who can request release or transfer of banked specimens?
Is there a charge for transfer of specimens to another facility for reproductive use or storage?
What happens if I move from the state of Michigan?
Do I have any options if I am without funds at the time of the annual storage bill?
Is there a time limit for using my sperm?
What happens to my samples if I die?

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University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive
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