Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA)

TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) is a procedure used in fertility treatments to retrieve sperm directly from the testicles of men who have severe male factor infertility. It is often employed when there is no sperm present in the ejaculate, a condition known as azoospermia.

Here’s an overview of TESA and its role in fertility treatments:

1. Non-obstructive Azoospermia: 

This occurs when the testes do not produce enough sperm due to issues like genetic conditions, hormonal imbalances, or testicular failure.

2. Obstructive Azoospermia: 

This is when sperm production is normal, but there is a blockage in the reproductive tract preventing sperm from appearing in the ejaculate.

3. Failed Vasectomy Reversal: 

Men who have undergone a vasectomy and the reversal surgery was not successful might need TESA to retrieve sperm.

4. Previous Fertility Treatments: 

Men who have previously undergone fertility treatments without success might be candidates for TESA.

1. Anesthesia: 

The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia or mild sedation.

2. Aspiration: 

A fine needle is inserted into the testicle to aspirate fluid and tissue. This fluid is then analyzed to retrieve sperm.

3. Recovery: 

The procedure is minimally invasive, and recovery time is generally short, with most men experiencing minor discomfort and swelling.

• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): The retrieved sperm are often used in ICSI, where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. This is particularly useful in cases of low sperm count or poor sperm motility.

• IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): TESA can be part of the IVF process, providing sperm that can be used to fertilize eggs in a laboratory setting.

• Success Rates: The success of TESA largely depends on the underlying cause of azoospermia and the overall health of the sperm retrieved. For instance, success rates can vary widely in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia.
• Risks and Complications: TESA is generally safe, but like any medical procedure, it carries risks such as infection, bleeding, or damage to the testicular tissue.
• Psychological and Emotional Factors: Infertility treatments can be emotionally taxing for couples, and counseling or support groups can be beneficial..

• Micro-TESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction): A more invasive procedure than TESA, it involves a surgical microscope to identify and extract sperm directly from the testicular tissue.

• PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration): Similar to TESA but involves extracting sperm from the epididymis instead of the testicle.

• Donor Sperm: For some couples, using donor sperm may be an option if retrieving sperm from the male partner is not feasible or successful.

TESA is a crucial technique in the arsenal of fertility treatments, providing hope and solutions for couples facing severe male infertility issues.