In the event of treatment or surgery likely to alter his fertility or even render him sterile, a man has the possibility of preserving his spermatozoa. How’s it going ? What are the requirements in France?
What does “saving sperm” mean?
Conserving sperm means Freeze them so they can be preserved for many years. This process mainly concerns men forced to undergo treatment or surgery which is likely to lead to a reduction or even a suppression of the production of spermatozoa, but also those who embark on a journey of LDCs.
Is this possible and legal in France?
The preservation of spermatozoa is possible and legal in France.
What are the conditions for storing sperm?
Since the revision of the bioethics law from August 2, 2021, any man can have recourse to the conservation of his spermatozoa, without medical condition or condition of donation to others. A man has the possibility of keeping his spermatozoa from his 29 years old and up to 45 years old. He will be able to use them until his sixtieth birthday.
Where to go to store sperm?
Sperm storage can be done in any specialized analysis laboratory, most often in a CECOS (Sperm Conservation Center).
The semen is collected by self-masturbation in a sterile container, in the laboratory. It is recommended to observe a period of abstinence of 3 to 5 days in order to ensure that you have a sufficient quantity of sperm. “The sperm is then packaged in the form of 0.30ml flakes, then stored in liquid nitrogen at -195°C. Once frozen, sperm can be preserved for thirty years without losing their fertilizing power“, explains Professor Philippe Touraine.
What is the maximum legal retention period?
According to the bioethics law of August 2, 2021, men who have carried out self-preservation of their gametes must indicate whether they want to keep them, use them for an AMP, donate them to people who cannot have children, donate them to scientific research or end conservation. If the man wishes to stop the conservation of his gametes, confirmation will be requested within three months. Gametes will be automatically destroyed in the absence of response to reminders after ten years.
What precautions afterwards?
“There is no no precautions to take after saving his spermatozoa“, informs Professor Philippe Touraine.
Thanks to Professor Philippe Touraine, head of the endocrinology and reproductive medicine department at the Pitié Salpêtrière hospital.