Testicular Sperm Retrieval (TESA)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the injection of a single sperm into the mature Oocyte. It is the form of in-vitro fertilization that must be used in all cases of obstruction when sperm are retrieved from the testicle or epididymis. Sperm retrieval followed by ICSI is preferable to surgical reconstruction when advanced female age is present and/or female factors that require IVF are present.

There are several methods of sperm retrieval. The choice of method depends mainly on the urologist who will perform the procedure and the embryology/IVF laboratory performing the ICSI. Sperm retrieval may be performed prior to or simultaneously with the female partner's egg retrieval. Many reproductive centers prefer to use fresh sperm obtained on the same day as the egg retrieval. For those whose azoospermia is due to obstruction, sperm retrieval can be accomplished by either a needle aspiration or microsurgical technique.