Progress in technology is changing how things work and innovation in healthcare should be oriented towards facilitating processes for patients. Telemedicine is imposed thanks to the wide range of possibilities offered by progress in email communication and fast messaging. The consultations via Skype are increasing, surgery is carried out by remote control, patients in our centre can observe the development of their embryos online and now we can talk about “telesperm”. Let me tell you more about it.

A few years ago, I thought that men are often the forgotten ones in the assisted reproduction treatments and I decided trying to help them by improving the semen obtaining rooms and involving them in the treatment. But the truth is that most of them prefer to carry it out in the privacy of their homes. They also often have to travel to the clinic from far away with the time and cost that this involves.

The only solution to all this was for the man to cryopreserve the sperm himself, since freezing does not affect sperm quality, but you have to do it right. Well, we did it!  We invented a simple protocol that allows anyone without any prior medical training to freeze their sperm outside the lab and the results are the same as those obtained by expert biologists.

In 2017 we presented the results of the study with the first 100 patients and patented the “Freeze kit”.  In our experience, and in the experience of men, it is an effective, simple and safe system. Since then we have been using it without any incident.

The new kit is shipped directly to the address given by the patient. On the chosen day, he will receive a nitrogen tank where he will find everything necessary for the sperm cryopreservation, as well as detailed instructions and the description of the steps to follow. The procedure is quick and simple. The patient has 48 hours to send back his sample once cryopreserved in the interior of the tank. The delivery company will pick it up at the appointed address in order to have it delivered to the clinic. 

Once it reaches the laboratory, a part of the sample of the ejaculate is unthawed to confirm the spermatozoa´s vitality and the patient is informed that the process has been completed successfully.

“Home freezing” and video-calls allow couples to travel to the clinic just once, on the date of the embryo transfer.

The sperm self-freezing kit is also a new solution for those men wishing to preserve their fertility, for instance before undergoing a vasectomy or an oncological treatment. In addition to that, it is also an option for those men whose sperm needs to be studied, for instance for chromosome analysis purposes of the spermatozoa (FISH).

Furthermore, it is indicated for special circumstances such as women who wish to become pregnant and, for various reasons, are physically estranged from their partners for a longer or less prolonged period of time. For instance, men relocated in military bases, merchant ships, oil or scientific platforms, as well as those living in distant countries and even men who are in prison.

The man decides when and where he wants to obtain and freeze his semen.