Donor treatment & family building
Sperm freezing stores a sample for later treatment — before cancer treatment or surgery, ahead of a vasectomy, where producing a sample on the day is difficult, or after surgical retrieval. Samples are screened for infection before storage. Not all sperm survive freezing and thawing, so more than one sample may be recommended.
Also known as: semen cryopreservation, freezing sperm, backup sample
Related South Africa guides
Sources
- ESHRE/ICMART glossary and ESHRE laboratory guidance
- SASREG
Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.