Used where there is no sperm in the ejaculate or ejaculation is not possible. The sperm obtained are used with ICSI, and any surplus may be frozen. Techniques include PESA, TESA, TESE and micro-TESE.
Fertility Glossary
Surgical sperm retrieval
Collecting sperm directly from the testis or epididymis.
Related terms
Azoospermia
No sperm found in the ejaculate.
TESA
Testicular sperm aspiration — sperm drawn from the testis with a needle.
TESE
Testicular sperm extraction — a small tissue sample taken from the testis.
Micro-TESE
Microsurgical testicular sperm extraction using an operating microscope.
PESA
Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration.
MESA
Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration.