ReproTech, the industry leader in human reproductive tissue cryogenic storage, has appointed Brad Senstra as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Senstra brings to ReproTech more than 16 years of experience in fertility and reproductive medicine. Before accepting this position, he served as Executive Director of Seattle Reproductive Medicine (“SRM”). Mr. Senstra is a noted thought leader in reproductive medicine and has presented at numerous American Society for Reproductive Medicine meetings and events over the past 16 years. He also served on the Association of Reproductive Managers Board from 2014-2017. Mr. Senstra earned his Master's of Health Administration from the University of [Read More...]
We at ReproTech are aware of the need for improved access to preserving fertility before cancer treatment and have long partnered with oncologists nationwide to provide an avenue of affordable and safe cryostorage for their patients’ reproductive specimens. Research shows that patients facing fertility-threatening treatments and thus at risk for infertility must be educated about the chances early in treatment planning. UPMC-Magee’s study, published in March 2023, is one of many studies showing a critical need for improved access to fertility preservation for all who want to have a future family following disease recovery.
ReproTech specializes in long-term cryostorage of human reproductive tissues (embryos, oocytes, semen, testicular/ovarian tissues). Here we answer commonly asked questions about shipping and storing these tissues with ReproTech.
We specialize in the cryostorage of human reproductive tissues. You may wonder how long an embryo can be frozen and remain viable after so many years. How are embryos frozen, and do they result in a pregnancy as often as a fresh embryo? And last, how does ReproTech fit into the family-building journey? We’re here to give you a quick overview!
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) announced its 2022 awards. We are excited to see that a ReproTech’s Medical Advisory Committee member, Kyle Orwig, Ph.D., will be the recipient of the ASRM Distinguished Researcher Award! This award is given for "outstanding contributions to clinical or basic research in reproduction published during the previous ten years.” Dr. Orwig oversees the UPMC Fertility Preservation Program and the UPMC Magee Center for Reproduction and Transplantation. UPMC's fertility preservation program freezes testicular and ovarian tissue for children and adults before beginning fertility-threatening treatments, or for transgender individuals, before beginning gender-affirming hormone therapy. One area [Read More...]
How will the reversal of Roe vs. Wade impact the storage of my embryos at ReproTech? For clients with embryos in storage at all ReproTech locations, currently there is no impact to the storage of your embryos. You have the same control over storing, transferring, donating (when applicable) or discarding your embryos. What if my embryos are stored in your Texas location? Based on ASRM’s guidance in their Potential Implications for Reproductive Medicine report, ReproTech currently does not expect any impact in the operations at any of our locations, including ReproTech Texas. According to the ASRM report, Texas's Human Life [Read More...]
March 4, 2022 - Science News follows up 50 years later on a 1972 report about the viability of sperm after freezing. In February 1972 Science News reported that men banking their sperm were doing so without knowing how long their specimens would be viable for. They recently provided a 50-year update to this report, citing a study from 2013 in which an almost 40-yr-old, donated sperm specimen was used in the conception of healthy twin girls to a same-sex couple. The cited study involved ReproTech's own CEO Brent Hazelrigg and founder Russ Bierbaum. Long-term cryostorage continues to be a [Read More...]
ReproTech maintains multi-step safety procedures to eliminate potential cross-contamination between reactive and non-reactive embryos, semen, testicular tissue, oocytes (eggs) and ovarian tissue. From the clinic, to the maintenance of the specimens at ReproTech, these extra steps allow for the safety of reproductive tissue storage for all patients. After a patient establishes an account with ReproTech, we will request serology test results for communicable diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, or SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. If a test shows a reactive result, ReproTech will send a shipping container for transport that is dedicated for potentially infectious specimens. When the specimens reach [Read More...]
12/13/21/Source: Cystic Fibrosis News Today A study on cystic fibrosis fertility published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama focused on female Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients' fertility preservation pre-lung transplant. The study found that 78% of women diagnosed with CF want to have biological children but the treatment could cause infertility. The study established that three out of four women when discussing their treatment plan fertility preservation was never talked about. Cystic Fibrosis patients had to rely on the internet and social media along with other CF patients for information about parenthood and [Read More...]