Sperm retrieval techniques
These days sperm can be collected from men for the purpose of assisted reproduction in many ways. Even men with no sperm at all in their ejaculate (a condition called Azoospermia) can now have their own child, because sperm can be retrieved from their testicle or epididymis and injected into their partner's eggs. There are different types of sperm retrieval techniques which can be performed microsurgically causing least pain and discomfort to the couple.
The different sperm retrieval techniques are:
- Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA):
ICSI is also used to treat infertility in woman who produces a low number of eggs, low quality eggs, or both. Generally, couples opt for ICSI after in vitro fertilization treatment becomes unsuccessful. ICSI is considered to be a safe and most effective treatment as it is used with IVF and high quality eggs.
- Percutaneous Epididyma Sperm Aspiration (PESA)
This treatment is used to retrieve sperm from men with congenital or acquired genital tract obstruction or who have had a vasectomy. This procedure is done under local or general anesthesia.
- Open Testicular Biopsy
This treatment is also used to retrieve sperm from men with congenital or acquired genital tract obstruction or who have had a vasectomy. This is a surgical procedure where sperm is obtained by opening the scrotum and removing some seminiferous tubules from the testicle through a surgery.
- Electroejaculation
This treatment is used to retrieve sperm from men with spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and ejaculation problems. Electroejaculation is a procedure in which a special vibrator is applied directly to the penis to produce an ejaculation.