Fertility Glossary

TESE

Testicular sperm extraction — removing small samples of testicular tissue to find sperm.

Male fertility

TESE involves a small incision. Sperm found are used for ICSI, fresh or frozen.

Also known as: testicular sperm extraction

Related United Kingdom guides

Surgical Sperm Retrieval: PESA, TESA, TESE and Micro-TESE

Sources

HFEA — Treatments

Last reviewed: 23 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.

Related terms

Surgical sperm retrieval (SSR)

Surgical Sperm Retrieval.

Micro-TESE

Microsurgical TESE using an operating microscope.

TESA

Testicular sperm aspiration — collecting sperm from the testis with a needle.

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