This method, despite its prevalence, has some drawbacks. It is this fact that forces specialists to look for new methods that allow keeping the ejaculate for a long time. The main disadvantage of the cryopreservation method mentioned above can be called the fact that after a complete defrost of the sperm, the mobility of the sex cells contained in it decreases by approximately 20-25%. This means that the likelihood of conception during fertilization of a mature egg with such spermatozoa also decreases.
When treating semen by this method, storing the sperm assumes a temperature of -196 degrees.
Method of storage of sperm by technology K. Saito
This method of saving male ejaculate can be used in those cases when there is no need for a long wait for IVF procedure. It does not involve the freezing of sperm.
When using this method, semen storage conditions assume the use of a so-called electrolyte-free medium (BES). As such, a salt-free, aqueous solution of glucose is often used. It is worth noting that until the end of the mechanism of maintaining the viability of male sex cells in such a solution has not been studied. However, numerous studies have shown that sodium and potassium cations are blocked in the cold, which is excluded when isotonic glucose is used. In simple words, the use of these solutions for storing male ejaculate allows preserving spermatozoa without freezing, without changing their morphological features.
This technique does not allow storing sperm for as long as during cryopreservation. That is why it can be used, for example, when taking biomaterials several days before IVF or when the next fertilization is required if the previous one failed.
How much sperm can be stored?
This kind of question is primarily interested in those men who are not ready at this moment to become fathers.
First of all, it should be noted that everything depends on the choice of the method of storing the male ejaculate. Almost all current sperm banks use the method of cryopreservation. It allows you to store ejaculate for a long time - up to several decades.
When applying a technique that does not involve the freezing of the ejaculate, it is stored no more than 1 month. As already mentioned above, this method is used mainly in the procedure of in vitro fertilization.
However, such a short period of semen storage practically does not affect the motility of spermatozoa.
How is ejaculate stored?
The very procedure for the selection of sperm is conducted in a special medical center. A man is given a sterile flask, into which the ejaculate is collected by masturbation.
After that, the flask itself is placed in a special device, the reagent in which liquid nitrogen most often appears, and it is closed tightly.
When necessary, the sperm flask is removed and defrosted. Then, the quality of its preservation is evaluated by examining the sample in a special microscope.