Science5 min read
How Long Can Cord Blood Be Stored? Shelf Life and Viability
When samples are stored properly in liquid nitrogen, current evidence suggests cord blood can remain viable essentially indefinitely. Here's what that means and what could affect that timeline.
Decades and counting
Cord blood samples banked in the late 1980s and early 1990s have been thawed and successfully transplanted, with stem cells still proliferating normally. There's no observed time limit so far — sample quality at storage matters more than storage duration.
What affects long-term viability
- Initial sample volume and total nucleated cell count
- Time from collection to processing (faster is better)
- Consistent vapor-phase liquid nitrogen storage (≈ −196 °C)
- Use of proper cryoprotectants (typically DMSO)
- Stability of the storage facility (power, monitoring, backup systems)