TESA / TESE

In some men, not a single sperm is found in the ejaculate. Blockage of the vas deferens is one of the causes. In other cases, the testes produce no or too few sperm cells.

In the above cases, sperm can still be found in the testes. This can be done by aspiration (sucking up) or excision (cutting out) of one or more pieces of tissue from the testicle.

The technique TESA is short for testicular sperm aspiration and takes place under sedation.

The technique TESE is short for testicular sperm extraction and is a surgical procedure under general anaesthesia.

Fertilisation of the egg in both techniques is done by ICSI because both the number and quality of sperm cells are insufficient for IVF. TESA or TESE material can also be frozen and reused in another cycle.