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What is Sperm Wash?
Sperm Wash is a method of separating useful
functional (fertile) sperm from the remainder of sperm in a semen
sample. It gives a far more accurate assessment of male fertilizing
capacity. It involves centrifuging a semen sample through a variety
of different density solutions and then collecting the sperm that
are able to swim out of the remaining concentrated sperm pellet.
Semen Analysis is a simple test that basically
counts the number and concentration of sperm in semen. It also
tests the percentage of sperm that are swimming and those that
look normal under the microscope. A semen sample should preferably
be collected by masturbation after 3 days abstinence without sexual
intercourse. It should arrive at the laboratory within one hour
of collection. If for geographic reasons this time frame is not
suitable, then the sample should be collected at the fertility
clinic (in a small but private room, one or both partners may
disappear into the room provided that a semen sample is collected
into the necessary container).
Beyond semen analysis, sperm staining for strict morphology, swimup
assessment, sperm antibodies and sperm DNA fragmentation tests
are additional tests that are sometimes required and help us decide
on the best treatment for you.
Sperm Extraction - testicular biopsy &
sperm aspiration.
If there are no sperm seen at semen analysis or sperm wash then
either testicular biopsy or sperm aspiration may be used to discover
if they are present in the testis. Hopefully any sperm found can
be frozen and stored, to permit use in later IVF and ICSI treatments.
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