Sperm retrieval is anyhow used to get sperm for pregnancy purposes. There are various techniques to get sperm. The method used depends on why sperm isn’t in the semen, what the patient desires, and the surgeon’s ability.

When Is Sperm Retrieval Recommended?

Sperm retrieval is performed when pregnancy is the intention but is not feasible without help. It is for individuals who have limited or no sperm in the semen, or men who cannot ejaculate properly.  In these situations, sperm can be obtained from other parts of the reproductive region. For good pregnancy valuations, sperm retrieval is done with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the method of joining an egg and sperm in a lab dish for breeding. This connected sperm and egg are called an embryo. The embryo is transported to the uterus for further growth. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an IVF method where an individual sperm is inoculated directly into an egg.

To monitor for sperm in the semen, it is recommended to do a semen analysis. The urologist on analyzing semen under a microscope and on deducing that there is no sperm in the semen may be a call that sperm retrieval is needed.

Below listed are different techniques

Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)

TESA is a method implemented for men who are possessing sperm retrieved for IVF/ICSI. It is accomplished with local anesthesia in the operating room or office and is correlated with their female partner’s egg retrieval.

A needle is injected in the testicle and tissue/sperm are aspirated. TESA is conducted for men with obstructive azoospermia. There may be an occasion where TESA doesn’t render enough tissue/sperm and an open testis biopsy is needed.

Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA)

PESA is a method conducted for men who are having sperm recovered for IVF/ICSI or who have obstructive azoospermia from either a prior vasectomy or infection. It is created with local numbness in the operating room or office and is coordinated with their female partner’s egg retrieval.

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

TESE involves making a small cut in the testis and analyzing the tubules for the bearing of sperm. It is both done as a scheduled procedure or is adjusted with their female partner’s egg retrieval. TESE is usually conducted in the operating room with sedation but can be implemented in the office with local anesthesia solely. Patients normally cryopreserve sperm throughout this procedure for future IVF/ICSI. MicroTESE has superseded this as the optimal form of retrieval for individuals with no sperm in their ejaculate (azoospermia) from a difficulty with composition.