Sperm aspiration is a less expensive and simpler infertility procedure than IVF, using a fine needle to extract healthy sperm from the testicles or epididymis. It is used to treat low or weak sperm counts, vasectomy, and deformities of the vas deferens. The procedure is painless and fast, with immediate recovery. Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration is the most effective and safe, but not available in all regions.
Sperm aspiration is an infertility procedure that is considered simpler and less expensive than IVF. The process uses a fine needle to extract sperm from the testicles or epididymis, a small organ near the testicles where sperm is stored in tiny tubes. Once the live, healthy sperm is obtained, it is injected into a woman’s egg in a laboratory to see if an embryo develops.
The procedure was developed in Belgium to treat men who want to have a child, but suffer from low or weak sperm counts that are not suitable for IVF, which typically requires millions of healthy sperm. Sperm aspiration might also be successful after a vasectomy, which separates the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles. Deformities of the vas deferens caused by birth defects, botched surgeries, or scar tissue can also hinder the delivery of sperm in semen.
Single male sperm obtained through sperm aspiration can be used in intracyloplasmic sperm injection procedures. In a laboratory setting, fertility experts inject healthy sperm into an egg extracted from a female. If the process is successful, an embryo can be identified within two to three days and non-surgically inserted into the woman’s uterus. Any extra sperm or embryos can be frozen for later use.
Fine needle aspiration of semen is considered painless and fast, with almost immediate recovery for the patient. It could be used when vasectomy reversal surgery is unsuccessful or when a man cannot ejaculate due to a spinal injury. Vasectomy reversal operations often fail, especially if done a long time ago. Sperm quality could also deteriorate over time.
Before researchers developed sperm aspiration techniques, men underwent more expensive surgeries to remove live sperm from the testicles or vas deferens. These operations usually required a longer hospital stay and recovery time. Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration performed in a clinic under local anesthesia is considered the most effective and safe, but the procedure is not available in all regions.
In this procedure, a small cut is made in the scrotum and a tiny microscope allows the surgeon to view the tubes containing the sperm. The fluid is extracted to measure the number and quality of sperm available. If none are found or the sperm is dead, another area can be explored.
In a less expensive form of sperm aspiration, the doctor inserts a needle into pockets in the epididymis hoping to find live sperm. This is considered a blind search because it is done without a microscope to guide the doctor. Complications could arise during this procedure if a blood vessel is punctured.
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