Sperm collection and processing are essential steps in various fertility treatments, including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and sperm banking. These procedures ensure the sperm sample is of the highest quality for successful fertilization.
Sperm collection is performed in a controlled environment to maintain sample integrity, while sperm processing involves techniques to enhance sperm viability and motility. Proper processing increases the chances of conception by selecting the most motile and morphologically normal sperm.
Sperm Processing
1. Sperm Collection
Sperm collection can be done through the following methods:
- Masturbation: The most common and non-invasive method, performed in a private collection room at the fertility clinic.
- Collection at Home: Some clinics allow sperm collection at home using a sterile collection kit, with the sample delivered to the clinic within a specific timeframe.
- Surgical Extraction: For men with ejaculation issues or blockages, procedures such as Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA) or Micro-TESE are performed to retrieve sperm directly from the testes.
- Post-Ejaculatory Urine Collection: For men with retrograde ejaculation, sperm may be collected from the urine after ejaculation.
2. Sample Preparation & Processing
Once collected, the sperm sample undergoes processing to remove seminal fluid, immotile sperm, and debris. The processing techniques include:
- Sperm Washing: A process that separates sperm from seminal plasma and removes prostaglandins that can cause uterine contractions.
- Density Gradient Centrifugation: A method to select the most motile and structurally sound sperm by layering the semen in a special medium and centrifuging it.
- Swim-Up Technique: A method where sperm is placed in a culture medium, allowing the most motile sperm to swim upward for selection.
- Cryopreservation (Optional): If sperm is being stored for future use, it is frozen using a cryoprotectant and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.
3. Quality Assessment
After processing, the sperm sample is assessed for:
- Motility: The percentage of moving sperm.
- Concentration: The number of sperm per milliliter.
- Morphology: The shape and structure of the sperm.
- Viability: The percentage of live sperm in the sample.
4. Utilization
The processed sperm can then be used for fertility treatments such as:
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): Direct placement of sperm into the uterus.
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Fertilization of eggs in a laboratory setting.
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): Injection of a single sperm directly into an egg.
- Sperm Cryopreservation: Long-term storage for future reproductive use.
