Training activity information
Details
Perform sperm cryopreservation and thawing. Compare pre-freeze and post-thaw parameters
Type
Entrustable training activity (ETA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion.
Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.
Considerations
- Methods for cryopreservation
- Implications of cryopreservation on viability
- In-house standard operating procedures
- Aseptic technique
- Use of media
- Troubleshooting
- Witnessing requirements
- Patient consent for training and storage
- Viral screening requirements
- HFEA regulations
- Record keeping and traceability
- Health and safety
- Infection control
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
What does success look like?
- Identify what is expected of you in relation to effectively performing sperm cryopreservation and thawing and comparing the parameters.
- Consider how the learning outcomes apply, specifically in relation to performing cryopreservation, thawing and warming of gametes and practicing safely.
- Discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity of what is expected of you in relation to expectations for successful cryopreservation and the expected post-thaw parameters.
What is your prior experience of this activity?
- Think about what you already know about the principles of cryobiology and the practices of sperm cryopreservation and thawing.
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the activity, such as potential issues during the cryopreservation or thawing process, especially when comparing pre-freeze and post-thaw parameters.
- Recognise the scope of your own practice for this activity i.e. know when you will need to seek advice or help, and from whom. You will need to seek advice from your Training Officer when required, for example, if the sample is azoospermic.
- Acknowledge how you feel about undertaking this activity, considering your previous exposure to cryopreservation techniques or handling liquid nitrogen.
What do you anticipate you will learn from the experience?
- Consider the specific skills you want to develop, such as performing sperm cryopreservation and thawing.
- Identify the specific insights you hope to gain into the impact of cryopreservation on sperm viability and parameters.
What additional considerations do you need to make?
- Consult actions identified following previous experiences of similar cryopreservation or thawing activities.
- Identify important information you need to consider before embarking on the activity, such as reviewing the relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sperm cryopreservation and thawing or health and safety regulations for handling liquid nitrogen.
In action
Is anything unexpected occurring?
- Are you noticing anything surprising or different from what you anticipate whilst comparing pre-freeze and post-thaw parameters?
- Are you encountering situations such as:
- Post-thaw motility is significantly lower than anticipated based on initial sample quality
- Technical difficulties arise
How are you reacting to the unexpected development?
- How is this impacting your actions? For example, are you responding to the situation appropriately? Are you adapting or changing your approach to parameter assessment or equipment troubleshooting?
- Consider the steps you are taking in the moment, such as immediately re-checking the thawing protocol.
- How are you feeling in that moment? For instance, are you finding it difficult to maintain composure while performing technical checks? Is it affecting your confidence in the motility assessment?
What is the conclusion or outcome?
- Identify how you are working within your scope of practice. For example, are you successfully troubleshooting a minor equipment issue or accurately calculating motility despite low numbers? Or are you needing support because the technical issue requires senior review?
- What are you learning as a result of the unexpected development? For example, are you mastering a more effective technique for interpreting post-thaw parameters?
On action
What happened?
- Begin by summarising the key steps you took when performing the sperm cryopreservation and thawing processes.
- Consider specific events, actions, or interactions which felt important, such as how you compared the pre-freeze and post-thaw parameters (e.g., motility, count) and your documentation of the results.
- Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you had to adapt to the situation as it unfolded, for instance, reacting to an unexpectedly low post-thaw motility count and immediately re-checking the thawing protocol.
- How did you feel during this experience, e.g., focused on the accuracy of the motility assessment?
How has this experience contributed to your developing practice?
- Identify what learning you can take from this experience regarding performing the techniques or assessing the parameters. What strengths did you demonstrate, e.g., meticulous adherence to liquid nitrogen handling protocols and documentation?
- What skills and/or knowledge gaps were evident, e.g., unfamiliarity with a specific step in the cryoprotectant exposure procedure?
- Compare this experience against previous engagement with similar activities – were any previously identified actions for development achieved? Has your practice improved in practising safely in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements?
- Identify any challenges you experienced, such as technical difficulties with the dry shipper and how you reacted to this. This might include needing to seek advice or clarification on scope of practice regarding the calculation of post-thaw viability and how you reacted to this.
What will you take from the experience moving forward?
- Identify the actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learnt, including from any feedback you have received, with regards to improving your technique or understanding of post-thaw parameters.
- What will you do differently next time you approach sperm cryopreservation or thawing, for instance, by proactively implementing a check for equipment functionality before commencing the freeze/thaw process?
- Do you need to practise any aspect of the activity further, such as a specific freezing technique or key learning outcomes related to cryobiology and the physical/chemical processes involved?
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- How have your subsequent experiences of sperm cryopreservation or thawing and assessing parameters since completing this specific training activity led you to revisit your initial approach or decisions during that activity? For example, a subsequent experience involving complicated post-thaw assessment forced you to re-evaluate the diligence of your data collection and assessment technique during your first attempt at this training activity.
- Considering what you understand about cryobiology, critical steps, and potential issues now, were the actions or considerations you identified after your initial reflection on this training activity sufficient? How have you since implemented or adapted improvements in your routine practice related to minimising cryodamage or accurately comparing parameters based on further learning and experiences? For example, how you proactively integrated observable behaviours and practices related to minimising cryodamage or accurately comparing parameters into your routine practice based on further learning.
- Has discussing performing and assessing sperm cryopreservation or the complexities involved in the processes with colleagues, peers, or supervisors changed how you now view your initial experience in this training activity? For example, how professional storytelling with a senior colleague about a challenging case involving post-thaw viability refined your understanding of the potential issues in these processes.
How have these experiences impacted upon current practice?
- How has the learning from this initial training activity, in combination with subsequent sperm cryopreservation, thawing, and parameter assessment experiences, contributed to your overall confidence and ability in handling semen samples and communicating results, particularly in preparing for assessments like DOPS or OCEs? For example, how your accumulated knowledge gained about sperm cryopreservation, thawing, and the assessment of post-thaw viability and ability in analysing pre- and post-thaw data now enables you to confidently present and justify the necessary procedural steps and data integrity related to sperm cryopreservation during observed ‘in-person’ assessments.
- How has reflecting back on this specific training activity, combined with everything you’ve learned since, shaped your current approach to handling semen samples and communicating results? How does this evolved understanding help you identify when something is beyond your scope of practice or requires escalation? For example, how your evolved approach means you now routinely seek advice immediately when technical difficulties or assessment ambiguities fall outside routine procedure, recognising the importance of appropriate handling and communication of results.
- Looking holistically at your training journey, how has this initial sperm cryopreservation and thawing experience, revisited with your current perspective, contributed to your development in meeting the learning outcomes related to performing cryopreservation, thawing and warming of gametes and practicing safely according to regulations? For example, how this foundational experience has supported your development in meticulous technique, attention to detail in data recording, or understanding the impact of procedures on cell viability, which are transferable skills.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Perform cryopreservation, thawing and warming of gametes and embryos. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Practice safely in accordance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of micromanipulation and cryopreservation. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Outline the appropriate treatment pathways for patients based on the clinical parameters. |