Frequently asked questions

Where is my sample stored?

Sperm freezing

Your sample is stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -196ºC in long-term cryostorage facilities that specialize in storing frozen human tissue and genetic material. These cryostorage facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, are highly secure, and have multiple redundancy plans in place to prevent breaches of security or scientific integrity.

Legacy is the only sperm freezing service that uses multi-site storage to mitigate any risk. We will divide your vials into two batches and ship them to separate storage facilities using a cryogenic shipper that has been in business since the 1980s with a 100% success rate. This redundancy ensures your sperm will be safe and ready to use whenever you need.

What's the difference between samples and vials?

Sperm freezing

One "sample" is the term for the product of a single ejaculation. One sample will be divided into 4 vials before freezing. Typically, 1 or more vials is used for each pregnancy attempt, depending on what kind of fertility treatment you are using (IVF vs. IUI) and your post-thaw total motile sperm count. When you want to use your sperm, you can withdraw just the number of vials you need for your treatment, and the rest can stay securely in storage.

It's important to note that you will be providing 1 sample per Legacy kit. If you would like to freeze more sperm, our sperm freezing bundles may be a good value for you. Get started.

How much sperm should I freeze?

Sperm freezing

Each Legacy kit collects one semen sample. At our lab, each sample is divided into 4 vials of sperm — that’s up to 4 tries to get pregnant utilizing IUI or IVF. Generally speaking, it takes 2–4 rounds of assisted reproductive treatment methods to create a pregnancy. Therefore, we recommend buying one kit for each child you hope to have in the future.

What are the success rates of frozen sperm?

Sperm freezing

Studies have found that frozen sperm produces pregnancy and live birth rates equal to fresh sperm. That is true regardless of the assisted reproductive technology — IUI, IVF, or ICSI — used. Read more about how sperm freezing affects sperm quality.

How long can sperm be frozen?

Sperm freezing

Research has found that sperm can essentially be frozen indefinitely as long as it’s preserved at an appropriate temperature. (Legacy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze your sample at -196ºC.) A National Institute of Health study reported that three different samples of frozen sperm had produced healthy pregnancies via assisted reproductive methods after 21, 28, and 40 years of freezing, respectively.

Who should consider sperm freezing?

Sperm freezing

You should consider sperm freezing and sperm storage for future use if:

You want to keep your options open for the future
You want to have the healthiest possible family
You’re about to start a medical treatment, such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy
You’re planning to have a vasectomy
You’re in a profession with a high risk of injury or chemical exposure, such as the military or firefightingLearn more about sperm freezing.

What happens if I die? Can my partner use my sperm?

Security & privacy

Your sperm sample belongs to you and only you unless otherwise specified. In the case of your death, your sample will be automatically destroyed.

If you'd like your spouse or partner to have access to your sample in the future, you must complete, sign, and notarize a bequeathment form. This will give you and your partner shared legal ownership of your sample, so they can store and withdraw it on their own in the future. Contact our client experience team at clientservices@givelegacy.com to request this form.

Will Legacy analyze or store my genetic information as part of the process of sperm testing and freezing?

Security & privacy

No, we don't analyze or store your genetic information as part of the sperm testing and freezing process.

What happens to my frozen samples if Legacy ceases to exist?

Security & privacy

We have taken steps to arrange for the protection of your sample(s) in the unlikely event that Give Legacy, Inc. ceases to exist.

Legacy partners with a specialized cryostorage provider to securely store your sample(s). If Legacy were to cease operations, you would have the option to continue storing your sample(s) with the storage partner without interruption. In such an event, you would receive detailed instructions on how to contact them directly. They will maintain your sample(s) under the same terms and conditions initially agreed upon with Legacy, ensuring your sperm's continued safety and security.

What is your privacy policy?

Security & privacy

Legacy was founded on the principle that privacy is a fundamental human right, and we make every attempt to anonymize and encrypt your data wherever possible. Througout the process of analysis, freezing, and storage, your sample will be identified only by your client ID and will not be tied to your name or other identifying information.

We are HIPAA-compliant, GDPR-compliant, and CCPA-compliant. Under the CCPA's broad definition of what it means to "sell" information, some forms of advertising, such as retargeted advertising, can be considered "sale." In the conventional sense, we do not and will not sell your data. You can opt out of providing information to advertisers at any time. You can learn more about your rights as a consumer under CCPA and GDPR via our privacy policy.

What happens if my sample is delayed in transit?

Process & kit components

While we understand the sensitivity of this process and take every precaution to prevent delays, sometimes shipping is out of our control. If your sample is delayed in transit, the transport media will preserve it for up to 48 hours.

Our lab will analyze your sample upon arrival, if it is viable. If we determine your sample was impacted by the delay in transit, we'll send you a complimentary kit so you can provide another sample.

How long does it take to receive my results?

Process & kit components

You can expect to see your results 1–2 business days after your kit has been received by our lab. To avoid delays, make sure you've completed all the necessary steps on your client dashboard, including signing the asset collection and storage agreement.

When your results are available in your client dashboard, you’ll receive an email letting you know.

Which testing/freezing options are right for me?

Trying to conceive

Sperm testing

Cancer treatment

Let us help you! Reach out to our client advisors at 617-514-0901 or clientservices@givelegacy.com. They can answer your questions about our process and products and help you decide what package is best for you.

What is the minimum amount of sperm or semen needed for testing and freezing?

Process & kit components

We can perform an analysis so long as you can produce some semen. The analysis will tell you if your sample has a very low sperm count or no sperm present.

If there are no sperm present in your sample, your results will not be viable for freezing. But even if you have a very low sperm count, your sample is viable for freezing, and freezing may be especially important for those who have poor semen parameters.

For use in IUI, you need a post-thaw total motile sperm count of around 8–10 million. For use in IVF, there is no minimum amount of sperm. The latest techniques used in IVF — called ICSI — only need a single sperm to inject directly into the egg, so a sample with any motile sperm can be used multiple times.

Can I wait to purchase cryogenic storage after the analysis?

Process & kit components

If you do not choose a freezing plan prior to your analysis, your sample will automatically be discarded after analysis.

What if I have a question or issue about my FedEx pick-up?

Troubleshooting

For questions about your scheduled pick-up with FedEx, visit fedex.com or call1-800-GOFEDEX. Have your shipping label and tracking number on-hand for questions.

Where can I drop off my kit for return shipping?

Process & kit components

You can drop off your kit at any participating FedEx drop-off location.

When you're ready to use your kit, you should register your kit by scanning the QR code on your shipping box with your smartphone camera. This will allow you to set up FedEx pick-up or find a drop-off location.

What do I do with the gel packs in my Legacy kit?

Process & kit components

The gel packs in your Legacy kit keep your bottle of transport liquid cool while in transit to you. You do not need to refreeze or refrigerate the gel packs that came with your kit. When you ship your sample back, keep the room-temperature gel packs in the kit as per the instructions. The insulating gel helps maintain a stable temperature inside the vault.

When should I produce my sample? Does it matter what time of day?

Process & kit components

You should abstain from ejaculation (masturbation or intercourse) for at least 2, but not more than 5 days before producing your sample for most accurate results. You should collect and ship your sample on the same day: Monday–Thursday, not Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, as our lab is not open on the weekend.

When you're ready to collect your sample, register your kit by scanning the QR code on your shipping box with your smartphone camera. This will allow you to set up carrier pick-up or find a drop-off location. If possible, produce your sample just before at-home pick-up/drop-off at a participating shipping location to reduce transit times.

What should I do before receiving the kit?

Process & kit components

Plan ahead for your sample collection day. Abstain from ejaculation for 2–5 days before producing your sample. (For optimal results, we typically recommend abstaining for 3 days.) Keep in mind that you should produce and ship your sample Monday–Thursday.

If you're considering freezing your sample, we recommend you complete an sexually transmitted infection screening before producing and freezing your sample. Although this is not a legal requirement, some providers that perform assisted reproductive technologies like IVF require this testing, so completing it now gives you more options for using your frozen sperm later on. Tests we recommend include: Hep B Ab, Hep C Ab, HTLV Ab, HIV Ab, CMV Ab, and syphilis (RPR).

Can I only produce my sample through masturbation?

Process & kit components

Yes, it is recommended that you only produce your sample through masturbation. Avoid using any external aids, like lubricants, saliva, or condoms with spermicide, as these can contaminate or damage your sperm sample. If you need special guidance for religious or medical reasons, please email clientservices@givelegacy.com or call us at 617-514-0901 so we can further assist you.

Do I need to be home to receive the kit?

Process & kit components

That’s not necessary. The kit is insulated and includes gel cool packs to keep the sperm transport liquid chilled until you open it. The sperm transport liquid can stay at room temperature for 5 days without affecting its efficacy.

You should refrigerate the sperm transport liquid when you receive the kit. Once refrigerated, the transport liquid can be used until the expiration date listed on the bottle.

If your transport liquid was at room temperature for more than 5 days after it was delivered, or if your bottle of transport liquid has expired, please reach out to our client experience team to get a replacement bottle. We will provide 1 complimentary bottle. If additional replacements are necessary, there is a $40 charge per bottle. You may request a new bottle of sperm transport liquid by emailing clientservices@givelegacy.com, or by calling us at 617-514-0901.

What is the sperm transport liquid?

Process & kit components

The transport liquid is an FDA-approved, clinically tested buffer media that extends the life of sperm during shipping. The media contains carbohydrates — nutrition for sperm — plus an antibiotic to reduce bacterial growth and a buffer ingredient to keep pH stable. This allows us to analyze and freeze your sperm after overnight shipping.

The sperm transport liquid is washed off when the sample arrives at the lab, and it will not negatively affect sperm quality. It was pioneered by one of our advisors, Dr. Gail Prins, who published studies on the use of buffer media as a protectant for human spermatozoa as early as the 1980s.

Do I need to have a doctor’s referral to order sperm testing or freezing?

Process & kit components

You don’t need a doctor’s referral to purchase a Legacy kit or cryostorage plan. You may need a referral and/or a prior authorization to get insurance or Veterans' benefits coverage for sperm testing or freezing.

What is the red plastic "padlock" that came with my kit?

Process & kit components

The red plastic padlock is a security seal. It prevents access to your sample and alerts the lab if your kit has been opened. If your security seal is broken or removed, the lab will not analyze your sample, and you will be notified.

Your kit may contain two padlocks — one is extra, in case the first is lost or broken.

Frequently asked questions

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