Sperm bank is the term used for a laboratory specializing in freezing and storage of semen samples.

Semen freezing is applied in the following cases:

• Difficulty of the spouse / partner to produce a semen sample

• Male fertility preservation in cases of a malignancy before starting chemotherapy

• Severe oligoasthenospermia. Prior to initiation of the IVF cycle, one or more semen samples are collected and frozen, so that enough material is available to complete the procedure.

• Surgical sperm recovery in cases of obstructive azoospermia, for future use in IVF attempts.

• Absence of spouse / partner at the time of IVF or IUI procedures.

• Hormone therapy administered to the spouse / partner.

• Fertility preservation if the man intends to delay starting a family.

• Sperm donation.

According to Greek legislation, the samples may be stored initially for 5 years, with the possibility of an extension for another 5 years.