Sperm preparation

Either at the same time as egg retrieval or directly before it, the partner’s sperm is retrieved (by masturbation). It is important to have abstained from sexual contact for 2-5 days before – not longer. In special cases, where the male partner cannot be present on the day of egg retrieval or there are difficulties in ejaculation, the Center can freeze one or more sperm samples ahead of time so that they may be used when necessary. Following sperm retrieval, the most mobile and morphologically healthy sperm is selected through a special process and preserved in sterile culture conditions in a nourishing culture media, until they are placed together with the eggs in order to fertilize them.

In cases of obstructive azoospermia (inability of sperm ejaculation), retrograde ejaculation or anejaculation, sperm is retrieved surgically, usually by a urologist/associate of the Center, or by fine needle aspiration (FNA).