TESE

Testicular sperm extraction

In cases where no sperm at all are found in the ejaculate (seminal fluid), many patients have the option of obtaining sperm directly from the testicular tissue. This procedure is called TESE (testicular sperm extraction). During a minor surgical procedure, testicular tissue is extracted and either used on the same day for ICSI in the female partner, or first frozen (cryopreserved). If the testicular tissue, which has been examined during the operation for the actual presence of sperm, has been frozen, the subsequent treatment in the woman is logistically/temporally as simple as with the usual IVF.

In these cases, too, Mini-IVF™ and conventional IVF (naturally along with ICSI) can be performed as the “base therapy”. However, NC-IVF is not advisable since the “base material” (testicular tissue) is not available in unlimited amounts.

Again, Mini-IVF™ and conventional IVF (each with ICSI, of course) can also be performed as “basic treatment”. However, NC-IVF is rather inadvisable here, since the “basic material” (testicular tissue) is not available in unlimited quantities.

— Diagrams: © Prof. Herrero, Barcelona