BACKGROUND Sperm samples subjected to cryopreservation are vulnerable, reflecting changes in membrane integrity, mobility and DNA. OBJECTIVE To assess the rate of DNA fragmentation, sperm mobility and recovery viability in capacitated semen samples after cryopreservation for over 10 years. METHODS Longitudinal, prospective, observational study of 19 seminal samples cryopreserved for more than 10 years, in a mexican fertility center. The sample was divided into 4 groups: Group CX (Surgery), Group IVF (in vitro fertilization), OAT Group (Oligo- astheno-teratozoospermia) and QX Group (Chemotherapy), in order to compare variables such as: recovery in mobility, DNA fragmentation index and sperm viability. Continuous variables were designated as means ± SD, and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. JMP-V9 program was used. RESULTS There is no difference in storage time and initial volume. The concentration, total mobility, total motile cells and morphology in OAT group are different from the rest. There is difference in initial morphology of the tail, showing more altered parameters in CX and IVF groups. In the CX, FIV and OAT Groups was achieving a mobility recovery of 27.34%, 30.02% and 55.24% respectively. The QX group presented no change. By analyzing the viability only OAT group presented < 50% intact sperm. For DNA fragmentation CX Groups and IVF showed the lowest rate (3.5.± 2.5 and 3.5 ± 3.01 respectively) compared with OAT Groups and QX (9.8 ± 0.2 and 12, 17 ± 3.9). CONCLUSIONS It is possible to store semen samples for a long period of time, retrieving suitable viability sperm useful for assisted reproduction techniques.