Use of an oncology sperm bank: a Canadian experience

BACKGROUND: We performed a retrospective chart review in 2006 to review oncology patients' use of banked semen samples in fertility treatments at a tertiary care centre. METHODS: From 2002 to 2005, 367 oncology patients banked semen. During the same period, 31 patients used banked samples in 48 treatment cycles. Samples were used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) in 28 cycles and for in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in 20 cycles. RESULTS: Pregnancy rates per cycle were 21% for IUI and 50% for IVF with or without ICSI. Overall, 16 of the 31 couples achieved a pregnancy with assisted reproductive technologies (52%). CONCLUSION: This data indicates high pregnancy success rates with the use of banked semen samples from men with cancer.