The Sperm and Embryo Bank of New Jersey Inc.™

The Sperm and Embryo Bank of New Jersy, Inc

Cryopreservation services for Sperm, Embryos & Eggs for future transplant

Answers to common questions

This information is designed to answer questions often asked by Clients and/or Medical Personnel regarding The Sperm & Embryo Bank of New Jersey's services.

What are the reproductive cells & tissue that can be frozen?

Currently, we are able to cryopreserve (freeze) the following reproductive cells & tissue:
Sperm, Testicular Tissue, Epididymal Sperm Aspirates, Ovarian Tissue and Oocytes (Eggs).
As research advances, other type of cells & tissue may be cryopreserved to be directed toward reproduction.

Why should I store my reproductive cells & tissue?

Current cancer therapies are extremely effective in treating some of these diseases, however, it is widely documented and recognized that these treatments have adverse effects on reproductive cells, tissues
and organs. Long-term side effects include sexual dysfunction and infertility. Surgery may involve partial removal of reproductive organs or cause irreversible damage and many treatments will diminish the
quantity and quality of reproductive cells & tissue.

How long will the process of storing my reproductive cells & tissue take before I can begin my treatment?

For Men…. Sperm, Testicular Tissue and Epididymal Sperm Aspirates
The cryopreservation of sperm is very simple and requires semen specimen(s) to be collected optimally after a 2-3 day period of abstinence, for the production of the best quality sperm.
Testicular Tissue and Epididymal Sperm Aspirates are obtained surgically by a physician specializing in Urology.

For Women… Ovarian Tissue and Oocytes (Eggs)
This procedure will require you to be under the care of a Reproductive Fertility Specialist.
The Ovarian Tissue and/or Oocytes (Eggs) are retrieved surgically and immediately cryopreserved at the Reproductive Fertility Specialist facility. Finally, the cryopreserved Ovarian Tissue and/or Oocytes (Eggs) sample(s) will be transported for cryostorage at our facility.

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How many samples and/or visits do I need to have?

We recommend that men be scheduled to collect or submit a minimum of three (3) to five (5) samples
to maximize the availability of semen samples for the future. However, for men or women requiring the surgical retrieval of reproductive cells and/or tissue the process is limited to the cells and/or tissue sample(s) obtained at the time of surgery.

How long will my reproductive cells & tissue remain viable and how long can they be stored in liquid nitrogen?

The length of time cryopreserved reproductive cells & tissue remain viable will vary from individual to individual, as well as from specimen to specimen and may be affected by cellular physiology at the time of cryopreservation. No limit has been found for the length of time reproductive cells & tissue can be cryopreserved. Our facility has maintained cryopreserved reproductive cells & tissue specimen vial(s) for the last thirty years. The records have been maintained to identify all the outcomes of our cryopreservation services.

I have already started treatment for my cancer or started on immunosuppressive drugs. Can I start the process of cryopreserving (freezing) my reproductive cells & tissue?

It is advisable to start the process of cryopreservation of reproductive cells and tissue prior to any actual treatment. SEBNJ recommends that you consult with your Physician(s) in charge of your treatment and/or therapy prior to undertaking the cryopreservation of your reproductive cells and tissue.
However, nature and knowledge do not always follow the same path. Therefore, it maybe feasible to cryopreserve (freeze) your reproductive cells & tissue and reconsider the issues as they relate to the validity and safety to use the cryopreserved reproductive cells & tissue prior to re-implantation.

What are the costs to store my reproductive cells & tissue?

Our fee schedule is comprised of the following:

Consultation, Document Review, Evaluation, Processing, Freezing,
Morphology (Strict Kruger) and Post Thaw analysis…..
Diagnostic laboratory tests…..
Annual and/or Monthly Storage…..
Delivery, Transport/Transfer Charges, as they may apply…..

Please ask for the Fee Schedule in effect at the time services are rendered.

Charity care fee structure available for Eligible Client Depositors. Our Client Service Coordinators will direct you in completing youir Eligibilty Application process.

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How can I have the Insurance Company consider paying for this service?

We recommend that you have your Primary Care Physician, if any and/or your Specialist, to provide you with either a letter and/or prescription recommending that you cryopreserve (freeze) your reproductive
cells & tissue for future use prior to chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and/or immunosuppressive drugs.

How can I find out in short notice whether my Insurance Company would cover the evaluation, processing, freezing, morphology and storage of my reproductive cells & tissue?

The insurance industry has designated a CPT code (common provider term) for the “cryopreservation and storage” of reproductive cells & tissue. The extent of coverage and reimbursement varies from carrier to carrier and from plan to plan. Clients should contact their Plan Administrator or Insurance Provider to verify the extent of Insurance plan coverage.

How many pregnancies can you guarantee from the reproductive cells & tissue that are in storage?

Given today’s advances in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), more individuals and couples are able to achieve successful pregnancies while under the managed care of a Reproductive/Fertility Specialist.

However, one cannot predict or guarantee with reliability how many pregnancies or how many children you may have from the cryopreserved (frozen) reproductive cells & tissue.

If I do not use my reproductive cells & tissue can I mention or list them in my last will and testament?

Current ethics allow, you, your spouse of sexually intimate partner to use the cryopreserved and stored reproductive cells & tissue to achieve a pregnancy through an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

It is advisable that you consult with an Attorney who specializes in this area of the law to prepare a document consistent with State and Federal Laws that would provide the survivor or care giver with proper directives and authorithy.

Can I donate my reproductive cells & tissue to someone or to science?

A Client Depositor that is no longer interested in either paying to store or to continue the storage of his or her reproductive cells & tissue may exercise one of the following options:

A-Destroy his/her reproductive cells & tissue using SEBNJ's "NOTICE for DESTRUCTION".

This document MUST be notarized.

B-Expressly donate in writing (using SEBNJ’s “Consent Form For Reproductive Cells & Tissue Donation Limited for Research”) in order to use his/her reproductive cells & tissue for a specific research project. However, for legal, ethical and health related reasons the reproductive cells & tissue cannot be donated to another individual without applying to the proper agencies within that State.

Can my children have access to my reproductive cells & tissue after I am deceased?

Your children may have access to your reproductive cells & tissue if you have prepared a legal document to direct such a transfer. For a definitive legal position for such an event to take place it is recommended for you to consult with an attorney and the regulatory agency in the State in which you reside.

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Can I get paid for my donation?

NO! Client Depositors are not reimbursed for donating their reproductive cells & tissue.

However, reproductive cells & tissue may be donated by written consent (using SEBNJ’s “Consent Form For Reproductive Cells & Tissue Donation Limited for Research”) for a specific scientific research project.

What agency regulates the cryopreservation (freezing) and how I may use my reproductive cells & tissue?

There are several agencies, Federal, State and Medical Associations that regulate and monitor one or more of the aspects that are associated with the process of cryopreservation and assisted reproduction. The regulations and guidelines may be specific to the State in which you reside. They may also, overlap the current Federal regulations and guidelines (ie FDA), as well as, medical associations that oversee this process. It is advisable to contact all these agencies to make sure that all of your specific questions and concerns are answered.

What are the names of some organizations which deal with fertility issues?

Your reproductive or fertility specialist would probably be your best source. Other reliable sources are independent organizations that are a network of individuals or couples to achieve pregnancies through assisted reproduction. Here is a brief list of some of these independent organizations or networks:

How quickly can I get my reproductive cells & tissue specimen vial(s) sent to my Doctors office?

The Transport/Transfer and Delivery of your reproductive cells & tissue specimen vial(s) to any Physician, Medical Facility or another reproductive tissue bank of your choice can occur within forty eight (48) hours. All the necessary documents must be completed and notarized and all storage fees are paid up to date. There is a fee for the transport/transfer and delivery of your reproductive cells & tissue specimen vial(s).

How Can I be assured that I will get my own reproductive Cell(s) & tissue specimen vial(s) when I use them?

Your reproductive cells and/or tissue that are submitted to SEBNJ are processed under the continuous vigilance of our trained professional staff while applying safety precautions to maintain the integrity of the cell(s) & tissue sample submitted to our tissue bank.

Copies of all documents and identifying information will be made available to you at the time of the initialization of your account with the tissue bank and will become part of your take-home record packet.

The following highlights the important attributes by which you will be able to identify your vials when your Cell(s) & Tissue are processed and cryopreserved at SEBNJ: (please note this does not apply for Cell(s) & Tissue cryopreserved at another facility).

Each specimen vial is permanently etched with your own personal and individual identifying
(non modifiable) reference code and id number.
Each specimen vial is etched with the day of cryopreservation (freezing) to correspond to
the day of the submission of the reproductive cell(s) & tissue to our tissue bank.
Each one of your specimen vial(s) will uniformly bear a pre-determined color coded cap.

Can you ship my reproductive cell(s) & tissue to my home address?

We do not recommend shipping reproductive cell(s) & tissue to your home. Regulations and standards set forth by tissue bank regulatory agencies recommend shipping reproductive cell(s) & tissue to a Physician or Medical Facility of your choice.

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Can you define the term “Directed/Designated Donor”?

A Directed/Designated donor is an individual that is chosen by the couple or the recipient, to donate their sperm, exclusively and solely to the female recipient in conceiving a child or children by assisted reproductive technology (ART).

I have met someone who I like to be my Directed/Designated Donor. What are the steps I should follow now?

SEBNJ recomends the following steps:

All parties to the selection of the Directed/Designated Donor and the donor must be present at the initial appointment to meet with the tissue bank’s Director for an interview.
If any or all of the parties in the selection of the Directed/Designated Donor cannot be present
at the initial appointment, a phone conference interview can be held while the Directed/Designated Donor is at the tissue bank. The tissue bank must receive both a letter from the parties acknowledging an understanding of the Directed/Designated Donor program requirments, as well as the necessary documents to initiate the process.

Once it has been established that all parties and the Directed/Designated Donor have been counseled and consented unanimously, and the registration forms and the evaluation agreement have been signed, the donor will be allowed to start the evaluation program.

The Tissue Bank Director or the Tissue Bank’s Supervising Cryobiologist will interview the Directed/Designated Donor.
The Directed/Designated Donor will collect a semen sample to have a semen analysis performed. This semen sample will be analyzed and the indices will be evaluated before and after cryopreservation (freezing). The evaluation will include a sperm morphology assessment using the Strict “Kruger” sperm differential classification. The semen sample may be retained for future use.

The Directed/Designated Donor will undergo laboratory testing prior to the Tissue Bank acceptance of any semen sample for cryopreservation (freezing) and storage. The Directed/Designated Donor will undergo a physical examination. Instructions and an appointment will be given to the donor during the initial appointment.

All of the inventoried specimen vial(s) will remain in quarantine for six (6) months from the date the last semen sample was donated, and followed by a series of laboratory tests and physical to allow the release of the specimen vials for the Recipient's ART procedure.

The laboratory test results performed post quarantine period must be within acceptable limits and only upon review and signature of the Medical Director that the specimen vial(s) will be released for the Recipient’s ART procedure...

Contact : CLIENT SERVICE COORDINATORS

within the USA : 800-637-7777 or 908-232-6844

International callers: Country code for USA + 908-232-6844

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