Posted under Fertility Treatment by Dr. Suchetana Sengupta

Trying to Conceive - When is Sperm Aspiration Recommended

When is Sperm Aspiration Recommended

Infertility due to male factor is not an uncommon issue. There are several factors that determine the fertility of men such as:

1. You must produce healthy sperm
2. The semen must carry the sperm and of course in enough quantity
3. The sperm must be able to move and must be functional

If any of these factors are not present then it may cause infertility in men.
However, the good news is that there are several procedures available for addressing infertility in men. Let us take a look:

Treating Infertility in Men

Medical approach: In cases of mildly reduced sperm concentration and count there are many agents that have been advocated to have some role:

1. Co-Q enzyme 10
2. Ubiquinolone
3. Zinc supplements
4. Vitamin D supplements
5. Antioxidants

Surgical methods:
In case of extremely low counts and motility, or in case of absence of sperms in the semen , surgical methods are used to retrieve sperms.
The most common procedures for sperm aspiration are:

1. PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)

   In this process, a fine needle is inserted into the scrotum in the epididimis. Negative pressure is created using a syringe.. At the same time, the tip of the needle is slowly moved in and out inside the epididymis for collection of fluid which is then checked for presence of healthy sperms. It is checked under the microscope. This procedure can be repeated at a different site until the doctor retrieves enough mobile sperms.

2. TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)

   All the processes of TESA involve a common method where a needle is inserted into the testis . After that, the doctor retrieves testicular tissue using a fine needle. The doctor may also use a needle with large diameter (18 gauge). The needle is inserted in the upper part of testis. Afterwards, like PESA, a negative pressure is created by pulling the plunger while moving the tip of the needle in and out the testis.

3. TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction)

   In this process, the doctor opens up the scrotum to expose the testis. The doctor may take tissues from several areas of the testicle. Afterwards, testicular tissue bits are examined under a microscope for identifying healthy motile sperm.

Who can undergo these Sperm Aspiration procedures?

Men may consider undergoing PESA, TESA and TESE under the following circumstances:

• If they have undergone vasectomy or had a failed vasectomy reversal procedure
• If they are born without a vas deferens (they may be a carrier of a genetic condition called Cystic Fibrosis).
• If they have any other irreversible obstructions in their genital tract
• If they have primary testicular problems and a low sperm count

We hope that these points will give you an overall idea about infertility treatment options for men. In case you are considering prenatal diagnosis or infertility treatment, you may get in touch with us at +91 766-866-6633.

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About the author

The author, Dr. Suchetana Sengupta is a Fertility Consultant at Care IVF Kolkata. For an appointment with the doctor, call +91-33-66-398-600. You can also book a Skype Consultation here.