Sperm

Sperm Retrieval techniques are a group of procedures used to obtain viable sperm directly from epididymal tubes or testicular tissue in those men with blocked reproductive tract or severely impaired sperm production. The sperms will then be used for fertilization of oocytes during an IVF or ICSI procedure. Sperm harvesting techniques used to obtain sperm from men with obstructive azoospermia include the followings:

MESA stands for microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration in which the epididymal fluid is collected through a very small incision in the scrotal skin and the sperms are isolated and processed in the laboratory.
PESA percutaneous sperm aspiration, is another procedure in which a fine needle is inserted through the scrotum into the epididymis and sperms are obtained by gentle suction.
TESE or testicular sperm extraction is an open procedure in which a small piece of testicular tissue is removed and placed in culture media. Liberated sperms are then collected and used for oocyte fertilization.