Struggling with male infertility?
MicroTESE Sperm Retrieval done in Vancouver
Get your MicroTESE Sperm Retrieval in Vancouver, Canada, performed by a world-renowned surgeon.
We work with all of the BC-based IVF centres:
- Olive fertility
- PCRM
- Grace Fertility
We work with all of the BC-based IVF centres:
- Olive fertility
- PCRM
- Grace Fertility
What is MicroTESE Sperm Retrieval?
In men without sperm in their ejaculate, they may have a problem with obstruction, or lack of production. MicroTESE sperm retrieval technique is considered the gold standard therapy to surgically identify and retrieve sperm in men with severely compromised sperm production and no sperm in their semen.
What is Azoospermia?
This condition is a male fertility issue that is commonly referred to as having “no sperm count” in the ejaculate. There are two broad categories of azoospermia:
- Obstructive azoospermia means sperm is made but is then blocked somewhere from the testicle to the ejaculatory duct in the urethra.
- Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) means there is not enough sperm production to be seen in the semen. A testicle may produce very small quantities of sperm that need to be surgically extracted to use for IVF or there may be absolutely no production of sperm. NOA doesn’t mean there is no chance that a man can produce sperm. There are many reasons, why a man may have NOA, most of which the scientific community doesn’t understand. Dr. Flannigan’s research program is actively working to understand these causes and work toward future regenerative therapies.
Work-up for Non-Obstructive Azoospermia?
A hormone and genetic work-up provides the specialist important information to determine if medical therapy will be of benefit to optimize the chances of sperm production, as well as to help counsel the patient on the probability of finding sperm in particular scenarios.
What is a microTESE?
MicroTESE is a microsurgical procedure used to find rare sperm in men with poor sperm production, otherwise termed non-obstructive azoospermia.
It was first described by Dr. Flannigan’s mentor, Dr. Peter Schlegel in 1997. The seminiferous tubules are the site of sperm production and comprise the vast majority of testicular contents.
Using a powerful surgical microscope, these tubules are systematically evaluated to identify healthier areas that are more likely to contain sperm. These areas are selectively removed and further processed to try to identify sperm that may be present in focal locations in the testicle.
By only performing focal biopsies significantly less tissue is excised compared to conventional TESE biopsies. This translates to a reduced loss of testosterone production and damage compared to conventional techniques.
Who gets a microTESE?
The absence of sperm is detected through a semen analysis, where no sperm is identified under the microscope, even after using a specialized machine, i.e. centrifuge, to concentrate the cells of the specimen prior to microscopic searching.
This can then be classified broadly as:
- a production problem (creation of sperm in the testis);
- an obstruction (sperm production is intact, but one of the anatomic structures carrying sperm is blocked);
- Impaired ejaculation (semen and sperm don’t flow during ejaculation or flow in a ‘retrograde’ direction into the bladder).
When sperm production is the problem, it is termed non-obstructive azoospermia.
What is the success rate of microTESE?
Particular clinical scenarios increase or decrease the chances of finding sperm during a microTESE, and thus it is important to discuss your particular scenario with your surgeon for prognostic information. However, among all-comers, sperm is successfully identified in approximately 55% of cases.
Dr. Flannigan's Research in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
Dr. Flannigan is a senior surgeon-scientist, and director of the Reproductive and Sexual Medicine Centre in the Department of Urologic Sciences, at the University of British Columbia.
His research program is working to understand the genetic and molecular causes of NOA as a means to developing future regenerative therapies. His research program has successfully competed for funding from Canadian and international funding sources.
If you are interested in being involved in research studies, and have been diagnosed with NOA, please feel free to enquire through this website or during your consultation with Dr. Flannigan
Trusted by Hundreds of MicroTESE Sperm Retrieval Patients
With years of expertise, we’ve helped patients all over Canada regain their fertility through advanced MicroTESE sperm retrieval, bringing them closer to their dream of starting or expanding their family.
"Dr. Flannigan was great. Really helpful. He provided good information regarding fertility and men’s health."
James H.
53 years old, Victoria
"Dr. Flannigan is a super guy. Answered all my questions and told me my options in an understandable way. We will take a graduated approach to the problem."
Danny P.
39 years old, Toronto
"Dr. Flannigan was very informative and gave us lots of hope and positivity."
Jeremy O.
46 years old, Vancouver
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Flannigan Fertility offers Vasectomy Reversals & MicroTESE Sperm Retrievals with world class success rates for Canadians in Vancouver, British Columbia.