Cancer survivor and wife conceive using world’s OLDEST sperm

The baby (not pictured) was conceived with IVF and 23 year-old sperm

A BABY has set a Guinness World Record after he was conceived using 23-year-old sperm.

 

Xavier Powell, dubbed the world’s oldest baby, is also a record-holder thanks to breakthrough IVF treatment using his father’s two-decade old frozen sperm.

The baby boy’s father, Alex Powell, was 15 years-old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma - an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.

Doctors advised Mr Powell that he’d have to undergo a gruelling bout of chemotherapy. His step-mother then suggested that he froze his sperm, because of the potential damage his cancer treatment could have on his fertility.

 





Xavier Powell has been dubbed 'the world's oldest baby'





After an “awkward session” at the sperm bank, Mr Powell’s sperm was stored at the facility for the following 23 years.

The cancer-survivor then met his wife Vi and discovered, although he had fully recovered from the cancer, he had indeed been left infertile.

In late 2013, the couple decided to have a child through IVF and spent the next year, and HALF the frozen sperm trying to conceive.

 



The sperm was used via IVF over two decades after it was frozen



Mrs Powell conceived on September 24 2014 and Xavier was born in June, this year. 

Talking to a local radio station about the birth of a healthy son, Mr Powell said: "For me, it's that sort of feeling in life you want to relive every moment if you can." 

He added that the couple may try for a second baby using the remaining sperm. 

 

Sperm can be frozen for up to 55 years

The usual length of time for people to store sperm is 10 years, although sperm can can be stored for a maximum of 55 years, according to Cancer Research UK.

In the UK, collecting and freezing samples costs between £200-£400, with storage costing around £300 per year.