Sperm Retrieval Procedure in India
Are you suffering from azoospermia?
Do you wish to have a baby with your own sperms?
Then, Sperm Retrieval will surely help you.
What is Sperm Retrieval?
Sperm retrieval is a minimally invasive procedure that helps harvest sperm in people suffering from male factor infertility where they have little or no sperm present in the ejaculate.
Around 10% to 15% of infertile men have azoospermia, which means they have no sperm in their ejaculate. This is due to an obstruction in the reproductive tract or issues with sperm production.
Sperm retrieval is effectively used in IVF treatment for couples wanting to conceive with their sperm.
Who should undergo sperm retrieval?
Mostly, Dr. Rainee Agrawal recommends sperm aspiration for people having obstructive azoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia.
1. Obstructive azoospermia
In obstructive azoospermia, the testicles produce the sperm, but some blockage in the male’s reproductive tract prevents them from getting into the semen. This can be corrected surgically.
This issue may arise due to:
- Vasectomy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Obstruction in the epididymis and ejaculatory duct
2. Non-obstructive azoospermia
This condition means your body may not produce sperms at all or are so less in number that they are not present in the ejaculate.
In some men, there is a lack of visible semen during orgasm. It can happen due to anejaculation or retrograde ejaculation caused by injuries, surgical or medical conditions such as:
- Pelvic surgery
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Advanced diabetes
- Psychological issues
What are the objectives of sperm retrieval?
- Sperm aspiration for immediate use in IVF / ICSI treatment or freezing.
- To get the best quality sperm.
- Minimize injury to the reproductive tract and testicle.
Types of sperm retrieval
Depending on thorough examination and semen analysis, Dr. Rainee Agrawal, one of the leading fertility specialists, will decide the most suitable method of sperm retrieval.
Common procedures of sperm retrieval are:
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
TESE is a surgical testicular sperm retrieval procedure for men who have no sperm in their ejaculate. It involves a surgical biopsy of the testis.
TESE is used in fertility treatment for men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. TESE is a minor outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia.
Sperm retrieved from the testes are used to achieve fertilization of eggs in the laboratory. However, as the numbers of retrieved sperm are often very low, it is essential to combine TESE with ICSI.
If there are more numbers of sperm present, it can be frozen for future use in treatment cycles.
Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA)
TESA sperm aspiration is for men having obstructive azoospermia. It is done under local anesthesia by inserting a needle in the testicle and aspirating tissue and fluid.
This tissue is processed in the embryology laboratory, and the extracted sperm cells are used for ICSI.
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA)
Dr. Rainee Agrawal is an expert in PESA technique.
PESA is done for the male with obstructive azoospermia under local anesthesia. It does not require a surgical incision.
The fluid is aspirated by inserting a small needle directly into the epididymis through the scrotal skin. The embryologist recovers the sperm cells from the fluid and prepares them for the ICSI procedure.
Microdissection TESE (Micro TESE)
Microdissection testicular sperm extraction is a surgical procedure for men who have no sperm in their ejaculate due to non-obstructive azoospermia.
It is performed in the operation theatre under an advanced operating micro dissecting microscope to identify precise tissue to be removed.
Micro TESE significantly improves sperm retrieval rates and is a safer procedure as less testicular tissue is removed, and it causes minimum damage to the structure inside the testicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
The technique chosen for sperm retrieval depends on:
- Whether it can be done through the skin or requires an incision
- Method of retrieval, whether it is biopsy or aspiration.
- Area from which the tissue is taken – epididymis, testicle, or vas deferens
- Instruments for surgery depends on the type of procedure -microsurgical or conventional
The urologist may coordinate your sperm retrieval surgery with your partner’s fertility specialist so that fresh sperm can be used for IVF using the ICSI method, or it can be frozen for later use.
Possible side-effects are:
- Pain
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Testicular injury
- Chances of not finding sperm
- May need future procedures
The recovery period depends on the method used. It can range from a few days to a week. Avoid strenuous activities for 5-10 days.
Prenatal sex determination & sex selection is illegal in India and not done here. It is a punishable offence.