Fertility Preservation Before Deployment: Oocyte and Sperm Freezing in Members of the Active Duty Military

Abstract

Active duty military service and deployment has the potential to compromise fertility through combat-related genitourinary injury, gonadotoxic exposures, and physical separation from a partner. Despite a growing interest among the military community as well as promising efficacy and safety data, fertility preservation remains an uncovered benefit for active duty soldiers. In 2016, the Pentagon proposed a program that would cover oocyte and sperm cryopreservation for any member of the active duty military desiring its use. Regrettably, that funding was not secured and predeployment fertility preservation remains an out-of-pocket expense. Today, advocacy groups, non-for-profit organizations, and physicians remain vigilant in their attempts to drive another government initiative through Congress. While activism continues, it is important to stress the value of fertility preservation counseling in soldiers' predeployment preparation and military family planning.

A Grounded Theory Approach to Navigating Infertility Care During U.S. Military Service

“… 8 Many ADSMs serve during their childbearing years when deployments and mission requirements present a threat to fertility because of reproductive delay and partner separation. 6 , 9 , 10 Women report electing to delay childbearing beyond their original plans for military readiness. 9 Among women veterans, reporting a history of infertility has been associated with worse physical health-related quality of life and higher levels of mental health disorders than among civilians.…”

“… 6 , 9 , 10 Women report electing to delay childbearing beyond their original plans for military readiness. 9 Among women veterans, reporting a history of infertility has been associated with worse physical health-related quality of life and higher levels of mental health disorders than among civilians. 11–13 …”

Напрямки Удосконалення Національного Законодавства, Яке Регламентує Профілактику Службових Правопорушень В Професійній Діяльності Працівників Судово-Експертних Установ України

“…Водночас втрата репродуктивних функцій військових через інші причини в законопроекті не оголошується. Наприклад, у США та Ізраїлі покривають витрати на заморожування репродуктивного матеріалу для військовослужбовців, які знаходяться на службі та хочуть зберегти свою фертильність [8]. Така процедура не є обов'язковою, але вона повністю дає змогу реалізувати репродуктивне право військовослужбовцю без обмеження категоріями.…”

Beneficial effects of trehalose and gentiobiose on human sperm cryopreservation

“…One of the social concerns in young and adolescent people is maintaining their reproductive potential because they are at risk of injury or death (for example, members of the Armed Forces who are being deployed to a war zone). One way to improve infertility in these patients is sperm cryopreservation [ 3 ]. Cryopreservation has been improved to the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology programs [ 4 ], and preserved sperm in individuals facing medical treatment for a condition that may affect their fertility [ 5 ].…”