A new technique for preserving sperm could offer men with low sperm counts, cancer, or viruses such as HIV the hope of fathering healthy children.
Experts found that fast-freezing sperm preserves its ability to swim towards an egg far more efficiently than the slow-freezing method currently in use.
The study, from experts in Chile and Germany, will be presented at the World Congress of Fertility and Sterility in Munich.
Current slow-freezing techniques mean the sperm only retains 30 to 40 per cent of activity. But rapid freezing - also known as vitrification - allows that figure to rise to almost 80 per cent.
Vitrification is already used to quick-freeze eggs and embryos with success, allowing spare ones to be used in IVF at a later date.
Following thawing, more eggs and embryos survive with vitrification than with older, slower cooling techniques.
In vitrification, cryopreservation agents are added to lower the water content in cells and prevent ice crystals building up.
In the latest study, plasma was separated and removed and the sperm placed in a sucrose solution before being plunged into liquid nitrogen to fast-freeze.
Current slow-freezing techniques mean the sperm only retains 30 to 40 per cent of activity. But rapid freezing - also known as vitrification - allows that figure to rise to almost 80 per cent.
Vitrification is already used to quick-freeze eggs and embryos with success, allowing spare ones to be used in IVF at a later date.
Following thawing, more eggs and embryos survive with vitrification than with older, slower cooling techniques.
In vitrification, cryopreservation agents are added to lower the water content in cells and prevent ice crystals building up.
In the latest study, plasma was separated and removed and the sperm placed in a sucrose solution before being plunged into liquid nitrogen to fast-freeze.
Current slow-freezing techniques mean the sperm only retains 30 to 40 per cent of activity. But rapid freezing - also known as vitrification - allows that figure to rise to almost 80 per cent.
Vitrification is already used to quick-freeze eggs and embryos with success, allowing spare ones to be used in IVF at a later date.
Following thawing, more eggs and embryos survive with vitrification than with older, slower cooling techniques.
In vitrification, cryopreservation agents are added to lower the water content in cells and prevent ice crystals building up.
In the latest study, plasma was separated and removed and the sperm placed in a sucrose solution before being plunged into liquid nitrogen to fast freeze.
For more on this story follow the link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1311532/Fast-freezing-sperm-offer-thousands-childless-men-chance-fatherhood.html#ixzz0zUzrbtAY
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