Preservation of reproductive cells (precautionary measure and donation)

Anyone may have their reproductive cells or their ovarian or testicular tissue preserved. Sperm cells made available for insemination are also preserved. The following charts show how frequently this occurs.

Sperm cells and oocytes, but also ovarian and testicular tissue, can be frozen in liquid nitrogen. Cryopreservation is used, for example, to store donor sperm. However, it can also be used in cases where fertility may be affected by medical treatment, such as chemotherapy. Irrespective of medical treatment, some women may wish to preserve oocytes in order to extend their fertility.

Legislation

Reproductive medicine legislation

The Federal Act of 18 December 1998 on Medically Assisted Reproduction lays down the conditions under which the methods of medically assisted reproduction may be used.

Further information

Reproductive Medicine Act effectiveness review

The FOPH reviews the effectiveness of the Reproductive Medicine Act.

Parliamentary Motions

Since the Reproductive Medicine Act went into force in 2001, more than 30 parliamentary motions have been submitted on the topic.

Expert opinions and recommendations

Expert opinions and recommendations on the legal regulations governing reproductive medicine

The graphics were developed by taglab GmbH.

Last modification 05.12.2024

Top of page

Contact

Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Biomedicine Division
Biosafety, Human Genetics and Reproductive Medicine Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003 Bern
Switzerland
Tel. +41 58 463 51 54
E-mail

Print contact

https://www.bag.admin.ch/content/bag/en/home/zahlen-und-statistiken/zahlen-fakten-zu-fortpflanzungsmedizin/medizinische-praxis-im-bereich-fortpflanzung/konservierung-eigenvorsorge-und-spende.html