Cryopreservation of testicular biopsies

Cryopreservation of a testicular biopsy allows for preservation of the fertility of a man/boy in the context of an oncological/medical treatment or MAR. After microscopic examination of the concentration, mobility and maturity stage of the spermatozoids present in the sample, the biopsy is frozen and then stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.

Collection

The biopsy is collected under anaesthesia in the operating theatre. We are one of the few units in Switzerland to offer these biopsies under the microscope.

Conditions

The results of serology tests for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis must complete the examination procedure.

Contract

A contract is concluded for a period of one year and is tacitly renewed year by year. The maximum legal period of storage is five years, renewable once for another period of five years (total maximum duration: 10 years) in accordance with the Reproductive Medicine Act (RMA).

Sole exception: a longer period may be agreed with persons who, to ensure that they can have offspring, donate their testicular biopsy to be stored before a medical treatment or performance of an activity which may make them sterile or damage their gene pool.

Medical follow-up is provided by specialist doctors in the RMU.