At Kanaa Fertility Centre, is performed by highly experienced specialists using the latest microsurgical techniques and equipment to diagnose and treat male infertility. This minimally invasive procedure has proven successful in modern fertility care, offering men a safe and effective option to retrieve sperm for IVF or ICSI, with precision and minimal discomfort.
Sperm retrieval refers to procedures that collect sperm directly from the male reproductive tract when normal ejaculation does not provide viable sperm. This is essential for treatments like IVF or ICSI.
Key Points:
Men who have male factor infertility will sometimes produce semen with no sperm, also known as azoospermia. But couples struggling with male factor infertility still have options. In the past, the only options for treating azoospermia were reconstructive surgery (if there was obstruction) or donor insemination. Now intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has enabled many azoospermic men to become biological fathers using sperm obtained from their epididymis or testis. Two of the most common sperm retrieval procedures are Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA) and Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE). Couples should understand the difference between TESA and TESE and discuss their best treatment options with their physician.
Procedure:
TESA is a procedure that can be performed in the clinic. In TESA, one or both of the testes are numbed, and then the physician uses a needle to aspirate sperm. This means that the physician obtains a small sample of tissue using gentle suction to examine under a microscope. If the tissue sample shows adequate amounts of sperm, the physician then takes another small tissue sample for sperm extraction.
In TESE, the physician performs a surgical biopsy of the testis to retrieve tissue that contains sperm. Usually, this tissue has already been identified through mapping techniques and then, through a small incision, is extracted.
TESE Procedure
TESA is most appropriate for men who have an adequate amount of sperm throughout the testicles. Occasionally, TESA doesn’t provide enough tissue/sperm and an open testis biopsy is needed.
TESE is one of the best ways to find sperm that a couple can use for ICSI or IVF procedures. The goals of TESE are to extract as much usable sperm as possible so that the couple have an adequate amount to fertilize an egg. TESE also minimizes any damage to reproductive organs and is usually done under local anesthesia to decrease pain or discomfort. TESE is sometimes done diagnostically to find out if a man has enough sperm. It may also be appropriate for men who are producing sperm, but are not candidates for other procedures because of scar tissue or prior surgeries.
After a man undergoes sperm extraction through TESA or TESE, he may feel some discomfort for a few days. Usually, he can resume non-vigorous activity after 2-3 days. There may be some swelling, bruising, or small amounts of fluid drainage for a few days. Following TESA or TESE procedures, men can take over-the-counter pain medications, and should emphasize rest and a healthy diet.
Sperm retrieval refers to different medical procedures used to collect sperm directly from the male reproductive system when it is not present in the semen. It is commonly used in IVF or ICSI treatments.
It is recommended for men with:
Blockages in the reproductive tract (obstructive azoospermia)
Very low or no sperm in the semen (non-obstructive azoospermia)
Prior vasectomy or failed vasectomy reversal
Problems with ejaculation
The procedures are usually done under local or general anesthesia. Most men feel only mild soreness or discomfort afterward, which resolves within a few days.
Yes. Sperm retrieval is generally safe when performed by experienced specialists. Risks such as swelling, mild pain, or temporary bruising are uncommon and usually short-lived.
No. Sperm obtained from these procedures are typically not motile enough for natural conception. They are directly used with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) during IVF.
Yes. If needed, sperm retrieval procedures can be repeated. In some cases, sperm can also be frozen and stored for future IVF/ICSI cycles.
No. The procedures do not usually impact hormone production or overall fertility, though your doctor will evaluate testicular function before and after the procedure.
