Clinical and biochemical correlates of successful semen collection for cryopreservation from 12-18-year-old patients: a single-center study of 86 adolescents

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of semen should be offered to adults before gonadotoxic treatment. However, the experience with semen collection in adolescents is still limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential correlates of successful semen sampling in adolescents. METHODS: A total of 86 boys (aged 12.2-17.9 years), referred for cryopreservation of semen prior to gonadotoxic treatment were included. Age, testicular volume, diagnosis and reproductive hormones were evaluated as correlates of successful semen collection. RESULTS: Median sperm concentration was 9.6 (range 0-284) million/ml. Of the 86 included boys, 76 (88.4%) had spermatozoa in their ejaculate. Of the 76 patients for whom a semen sample was obtained, 71 (93.4%) had motile spermatozoa eligible for cryopreservation. Of the 86 boys, 74 produced a semen sample by masturbation, whereas semen samples were obtained from 12 patients by penile vibration or electroejaculation. The youngest patient with an ejaculate containing motile spermatozoa was 12.2 years old, and the smallest testicular volumes in boys associated with motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate were 6-7 ml. Testicular volume correlated with sperm concentration (R = 0.283, P = 0.046), and the percentage of motile spermatozoa (R = 0.410, P = 0.003). Chronological age, but not reproductive hormones, also correlated with sperm concentration (R = 0.25, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Semen was successfully collected and cryopreserved in 71 out of 86 boys and adolescents. Testicular volume, but not age or reproductive hormone levels, was indicative of successful semen collection. Regardless of their age, adolescent boys with testicular volumes of more than 5 ml should be offered semen banking prior to gonadotoxic treatment or other procedures that could potentially damage future fertility.