lifespan of thawed sperm
Appleblossum
Posts: 16
Hi guys, can you tell me how long you think thawed sperm lives for once inseminated? I can only find articles about animal sperm.
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Good luck,
Scott
CCB
Washed sperm is supposed to only live for 6-12 hours, but sometimes as long as 24 -- not nearly as long as sperm can live in fertile cervical mucus (sperm can live up to 5 days in fertile mucus, 2-3 days being pretty common). This is why timing is so important.
In addition, current research indicates that washed sperm can live 24-72 hours; however, it does lose potency after 12-24 hours. Another issue with IUI is that the sperm can keep on swimming beyond the fallopian tube, so the ideal window is really within 6-12 hours of the egg being released.
Best of luck,
Judylyn Rubio-Hong
La Grange Branch/Laboratory Manager
Thanks!
Also, I've always wondered about "where" the sperm are living for 2-3 days. In the uterus? If so, wouldn't that greatly improve the chances of pregnancy? So why is IUI giving better results than ICI?
Sorry for all of the questions. My own RE doesn't have the answers for me.
Live sperm can last up to 72 hours in utero. Frozen sperm only lasts 12-24 hours.
Regards,
Scott
CCB
I am aware that this conversation took place quite a while ago...but your first post says "thawed" sperm lasts 72 hrs, and the second says "live" sperm live 72 hrs and "frozen only 12-24.
The answers are a little confusing...are you saying that ICI frozen sperm once thawed live up to 72 hrs in utero and that IUI frozen sperm only lasts 12-24 hrs? Please clarify.
Frozen sperm may survive up to 72 hours after insemination, but it loses potency after approximately 12-24 hours.
Good luck,
Scott
CCB
I really hope someone can answer for me questions I have been unable to find:
1. How long does it take for frozen&washed sperm to thaw?
2. How long does thawed frozen&washed sperm live once thawed, OUTSIDE of the body? (before IUI is performed)
in anticipation of a response, many thanks...
I am hoping someone has the answers:
1. How long does it take for frozen&washed sperm to thaw?
2. How long does thawed frozen&washed sperm live outside of the body? (before IUI is performed?)
Many thanks in anticipation of answers,
When we ship out specimen we include tank and specimen handling instructions.
1. Thawing time depends on which method is used. When it is being thawed for direct use, the vial should be placed in warm water (ambient-body temperature) for 15 minutes.
When it is being thawed for laboratory validation before use, the vial should be thawed for 10 minutes in a water bath at 98 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 minutes in a Dry Heat Block.
2. The vials should be used for insemination within 2 hours after thawing.
Regards,
Nicole
CCB
In addition, current research indicates that washed sperm can live 24-72 hours; however, it does lose potency after 12-24 hours. Another issue with IUI is that the sperm can keep on swimming beyond the fallopian tube, so the ideal window is really within 6-12 hours of the egg being released.
Best of luck,
Judylyn Rubio-Hong
La Grange Branch/Laboratory Manager
The post that you are referencing is from September 2008. I'll check and see if I can provide you with more recent research.
Regards,
Nicole
CCB
Any updates for this thread?
Thank you,
Jess
Below is additional information from our technical director.
Regards,
Nicole
The scientific references pertaining to sperm longevity can be easily found in abundance by searching "Quality control testing, human sperm survival test” (HSST). Generally, the HSST uses washed sperm for toxicity testing disposable products (i.e., plasticware) used in IVF Labs. In my own IVF Lab, we expect >70% maintenance of sperm longevity over a 5 day period to "pass" testing (e.g., 0hr=90%; 120hr=>63% at room temperature). The following study, J. Asst. Reprod., 2005, 22:177-180, studied unwashed sperm in seminal plasm for rapid cytotoxicity testing and found no change in sperm viability up to 6 hr.
So, what does this mean? Static, unwashed sperm, outside the body (i.e., sitting in a vial) would be shorter for ICI sperm in seminal plasm than pre-washed IUI sperm. The sustained presence of glycerol would ultimately be toxic to the sperm and shorten their lifespan. However, if the unwashed sperm is inseminated intracervically, then longevity would be significantly enhanced by diluting out negative seminal factors in the cervical mucus. Inseminated sperm can, in turn, rapidly ascend the reproductive tract in minutes to hours due to uterine contractility (reference to an interesting mid-1980s article in Nature on "Kamikaze Sperm"), whereas, much of the fertilizing population of sperm progresses more slowly while maintaining high levels of viability through cellular/tissue interactions (e.g., uterine-tubal junction, and the cumulus mass of oocytes). Although the majority of the sperm population has probably migrated out in the first 24-48 hr, washed sperm can experience extremely long life spans in an optimal environment.
Mitchel C. Schiewe, PhD
CCB, Scientific/Technical Director
1. Would you recommend 2 or 3 viles of sperm?
2. Would you recommend doing ICI day before/day of ovulation? Day of/day after? Or a different variation?
Thanks so much!!
2 is plenty. If your cycles are regular and you can time your ovulation accurately, one vial is all you need. That is the big advantage to having an IUI done with a physician who can use ultrasound and inseminate directly into the uterus.
Timing is critical. You should check with your physician to confirm timing. Usually, the egg is released 24-36 hours after the surge is indicated by the ovulation kit. Inseminating late is never good. Better to go 12 hours after the surge, and then again 24 hours after that.
Always consult a physician before trying to inseminate on your own. A routine visit to your OB and some basic blood tests can save you a ton of money in the long run by making sure there is nothing preventing you from getting pregnant.
Good luck!
Scott
I'm hopefully having my first insemination next month and would like to know how many vials we should use. I'm doing an IUI procedure.
Thank you for your advice.
I'm hopefully having my first insemination next month and would like to know how many vials we should use. I'm doing an IUI procedure.
Thank you for your advice.
I'm hopefully having my first insemination next month and would like to know how many vials we should use. I'm doing an IUI procedure.
Thank you for your advice.
You should check with your physician to see how many he/she prefers. Most often, physicians will only use 1 vial for an IUI cycle, especially if they are doing ultrasounds to monitor your ovulation.
Please keep in mind that on average it takes about 3-4 IUI cycles to achieve pregnancy. Since our donors can sell out quickly, if you find a donor that you absolutely love, you should take advantage of our free storage programs:
http://cryobank.com/Services/Additional-Services/Family-Today---Family-Tomorrow/
Regards,
Nicole
CCB
I am writing in reference to the note posted by Mitchel C. Schiewe, PhD, CCB, Scientific/Technical Director on 6/11/13.
The notes on research were helpful and interesting, but I have a few questions. I am using IUI prepared sperm by CCB. I am getting IUI inseminations at my doctor's office. Can you tell me how long the sperm will live post-IUI? Also, how long will the sperm remain potent post-IUI?
Thank you,
Lisa
Frozen sperm may survive up to 72 hours after insemination, but it loses potency after approximately 12-24 hours.
Good luck,
Nicole
CCB
I just started my first round of ici this tues and I was wondering if anyone has updated info regarding how long does ici (unwashed) donor sperm from CCB live once thawed?
just curious, because I read online frozen sperms lifespan ~24hrs and I actually done my insemination a day too early :(
thank you for your time!!
It's best to check with your physician about cycle monitoring and timing of your inseminations.
Regards,
Nicole
CCB
It's best to check with your medical professional on the timing for your insemination.
Regards,
Nicole
CCB