Meet the superstar sperm doctor helping bachelors to FREEZE their DNA after studies reveal male fertility declines at 30

By Olivia Fleming

PUBLISHED: 10:57 EST, 26 June 2013 | UPDATED: 11:25 EST, 26 June 2013

Sperm whisperer: Dr Joseph Alukal, a New York-based urologist, has become the go-to guy for men looking to freeze their sperm in the race against the male biological clockx

Sperm whisperer: Dr Joseph Alukal, a New York-based urologist, has become the go-to guy for men looking to freeze their sperm

A New York-based urologist, nicknamed the 'sperm whisperer', has become the go-to guy for men looking to freeze their sperm in the race against the male biological clock.

After recent studies have revealed that male fertility declines over the age of 30, with a greater chance of genetic abnormalities in offspring, many eligible bachelors are taking matters into their own hands.

'People keep asking me, "Doc, should I freeze my sperm? What if I meet the right girl 10 or 15 years from now?"' Dr Joseph Alukal, the director of male reproductive health at NYU Langone Medical Center, told the New York Post's Page Six magazine.

Storing sperm with Dr Alukal, a process called 'cryobanking,' costs approximately $500, with annual storage fees ranging from $450 for one year to $2,550 for 10 years.

Meanwhile California-based Sperm Bank Inc. charges $1,200 for storing sperm for five years - about $240 per year.

'More than 50 percent of the guys who come to me actually do it,' said Dr Alukal.

After age 30, men experience a decline in fertility, and decline in testosterone.

 

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And according to Dr Harry Fisch, the director of the Male Reproductive Center and a professor of clinical urology at Columbia University Medical Center's New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the sperm from men over 40 is six times more likely to produce autism disorders, compared with men under 25.

'With schizophrenia, for men in their 50s, there’s a three-fold increase compared with men under 20,' Dr Fisch told The New York Times last year. 'And there’s a direct increase associated with age. The older the man, the higher the risk of schizophrenia in his offspring.'

'The older the man, the higher the risk of schizophrenia in his offspring'

And for many men, who are thinking about having children 'one day', freezing their sperm is as simple as having piece of mind.

'There's no risk to bank sperm,' said Dr Alukal points. 'Just a financial cost.'

Adam Wade, 37, a comedian from Hoboken, recently considered depositing his sperm, but said the cost was 'a huge red flag.'

'The most expensive thing in my apartment is a $500 couch. So it's like I'd have to pay "two couches" to freeze my sperm,' he said.

Price for peace of mind: Storing sperm, a process called 'cryobanking,' costs approximately $500, with annual storage fees ranging from $450 for one year to $2,550 for 10 years

Price for peace of mind: Storing sperm, a process called 'cryobanking,' costs approximately $500, with annual storage fees ranging from $450 for one year to $2,550 for 10 years

Safe storage: After recent studies have revealed that male fertility declines after the age of 30, with a greater chance of genetic abnormalities in offspring, men are taking matters into their own hands

Safe storage: After recent studies have revealed that male fertility declines after the age of 30, with a greater chance of genetic abnormalities in offspring, men are taking matters into their own hands

But for one 36-year-old New Yorker with two Ivy League degrees, you can't put a price on piece of mind.

'I've [been with] women who wanted children, but it was never right with any of them,' he explained, expressing his 'constant' concern that if his romantic life doesn't take off soon, the quality of his sperm will also start to deteriorate.

Dr Alukal said that most of his clients are single men hoping to one day start a family, or single men who have recently gone through a break-up.

'It's the conversation now, with friends and colleagues,' explained Dr Alukal.

According to the Human Fertilization Embryology Authority, success rates using frozen sperm vary - some sperm do not survive, or are damaged during freezing, which can lead to a reduction in quality.

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I guess they want to make sure they have 'better' offspring.

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lets go back to natural reproduction of humans

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"Seamen Saver" sounds more appropriate!

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Unfortunately everything declines after 30 for everyone. Hello upcoming 31st birthday..not looking forward to you.

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Yeah, men's fertility begins to decline at 30...........and in other news, a 99 year old man in India has just become the oldest father in recorded history.

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'sperm whisperer' really ?..really?

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No matter how rich and successful I was as a urologist, I am pretty sure I would be disassociating myself from the phrase "sperm whisperer".

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