TESA – TESE ICSI

In some men, spermatozoa may not be present in the ejaculate. This condition is called Azoospermia. This can be either due to problems in sperm production itself or due to obstruction to the flow of semen during ejaculation. Accordingly, it is classified as Non-Obstructive or Obstructive Azoospermia.

Non-obstructive azoospermia is a condition where there is seriously lacking or defective sperm production.

Obstructive azoospermia is a condition wherein there is a blockage in the male reproductive tract. There is ordinary sperm production in the testicle but the sperm cells are caught inside the epididymis.

Reproductive tract obstruction can be acquired - as a result of infection, trauma, iatrogenic injury which can occur during bladder neck, pelvic, abdominal or inguino-scrotal surgery.

Congenital anomalies may be relatively uncommon in the general population, but can occur in up to 2 percent of infertile men. Best known condition is congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) which occurs in almost all men with cystic fibrosis.

Two techniques - Epididymal sperm retrieval & micromanipulation have revolutionized treatment of male infertility in the past decade. Men with congenital bilateral absence of the vas defences (CBAVD) or reproductive tract obstruction are now able to achieve pregnancies with use of these advanced techniques.

PESA/ Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA)

PESA or Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA), does not require a surgical incision. A small needle is passed directly into the head of the epididymis through the scrotal skin and fluid is aspirated. The embryologist retrieves the sperm cells from the fluid and prepares them for ICSI.

MESA / Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA)

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA) is used in conditions like obstructive azoospermia, involves dissection of the epididymis under the operating microscope and incision of a single tubule. Fluid spills from the Epididymal tubule and pools in the Epididymal bed. This pooled fluid is then aspirated and sperms are retrieved from the fluid.

TESA and TESE

TESA or testicular sperm aspiration is performed by inserting a needle in the testis and aspirating fluid and tissue with negative pressure.

TESE or testicular sperm extraction is a surgical biopsy of the testis under operating microscope to identify and retrieve healthy sperm containing tubules. The aspirated tissue is then processed in the embryology laboratory and the sperm cells extracted are used for ICSI.

The sperm that are obtained by the above surgical techniques are intended to be utilized for ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Insemination) because there are generally insufficient to perform intrauterine insemination.