Sperm Retrieval Terms and Acronyms to Know

When you decide to address male infertility , you can expect to encounter many new terms as your doctor explains your options. Understanding the terms that surround these infertility procedures will help you make the right decisions for yourself and your goals of starting a family. Here is a look at some of the terms you may encounter when you undergo sperm retrieval.

SSR

SSR is the acronym for surgical sperm retrieval. SSR involves removing sperm from the epididymis or vas deferens for men who are experiencing fertility issues, such as a low sperm count or a lack of sperm in the semen. SSR is often combined with IVF, or in vitro fertilization, to achieve a pregnancy. There are multiple types of SSR procedures. Finding the right one for you depends on a number of different factors, including the reason surgically retrieving sperm is necessary for you.

PESA/TESA/MESA

PESA, TESA, and MESA are types of SSRs that can be used if there is an obstruction preventing sperm from entering the ejaculate. PESA stands for percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration and involves removing sperm from the epididymis via a fine needle under local anesthesia. If PESA fails, then TESA or MESA may be tried. TESA stands for testicular sperm aspiration and involves removing sperm from the testicles. MESA is microsurgical epididymal aspiration and involves the use of a microscope to locate and correct the obstruction in the epididymis to remove the sperm.

TESE

TESE involves taking biopsies from multiple areas of testicular tissue in order to find retrievable sperm. Micro-dissection TESE is another form of TESE in which a microscope that can perform micro-dissections is used to find tissue that is likely to help sperm, in order to biopsy smaller amounts of tissue than traditional TESE. Both of these techniques can be used when low sperm production, rather than an obstruction, is impacting fertility.

At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, Dr. Green can help you choose the right infertility procedure to help you get the best possible chances of conceiving. For more information about vasectomy reversals and infertility procedures in Sarasota , please call (941) 894-6428.