The Men’s Fertility and Health Clinic at UCSF specializes in the treatment of male infertility. Treatments offered include Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA), and artificial insemination.
UCSF’s Center for Male Fertility and Health
The Center for Male Fertility and Health at UCSF treats the full range of male infertility conditions. This multidisciplinary clinic includes urologists, genetic counselors, and other male reproductive health specialists. It offers a wide range of treatment options, including surrogacy, sperm banking, and electroejaculation.
The Center for Male Fertility and Health is conveniently located near the UCSF biomedical campus in Mission Bay. It is designed to provide patients with 360-degree care, which includes holistic treatment approaches and psychological support. It is also adjacent to the UCSF Mission Bay Research Center, which facilitates collaboration among physicians and scientists.
UCSF’s Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a medical procedure that uses sperm samples from the vas deferens to help men conceive a child. This treatment is a short, same-day surgery that can be done with either an incision or an incisionless technique. A thin needle is inserted into the vas deferens and a suction device is attached to it. The sperm sample is then collected in a laboratory. A healthy fertilized egg should divide into cells within five to six days, forming a blastocyst. A doctor will monitor the size and mass of the blastocyst to ensure that a healthy embryo is formed.
Men with poor sperm production can receive ICSI to help with infertility. This procedure is not for every man, but it is an excellent option for men with severe infertility. It can help treat both obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia. Its success rates are similar to those of sperm from other sources. However, some men with severe oligosperm may need to undergo PGD to avoid implantation of genetically abnormal embryos.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a modern approach to fertility treatment. This technique has revolutionized male infertility treatment and has helped thousands of men achieve biological paternity. It is used in about half of IVF procedures.
UCSF’s Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA)
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Asspiration (PESA) is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle through the epididymis to collect sperm. It is performed under general or local anesthesia. Men with a blocked epididymis may be a candidate for PESA.
Depending on the extent of the problem, a doctor may choose to perform either a percutaneous method with needles, or a microscopic method of dissection. Either method can retrieve sperm for in vitro fertilization. Men undergoing PESA can also undergo TESE, a procedure that uses the sperm from the testicles.
PESA is an outpatient procedure that usually lasts 20-30 minutes. The doctor inserts a needle into the epididymis and applies gentle suction to collect the fluid. Before the procedure, a local anaesthetic is administered to minimize pain. The fluid is then evaluated under a microscope for sperm. If the surgeon finds any viable sperm, he may recommend an advanced retrieval technique.
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Asspiration (PESA) is one of the least invasive procedures for retrieving sperm. A needle is inserted into the epididymis, a tube at the back of the testicles that stores sperm. The procedure is painless, fast, and can be repeated several times.
PESA can produce a successful outcome when paired with ICSI. The success rate in PESA-ICSI was comparable in both groups. The procedure is used to collect a large number of spermatozoa for IVF. In one study, spermatozoa collected through PESA were found in 67% of cases, and they were characterized by optimal motility.