A less invasive alternative
is epididymis aspiration, which involves the extraction of sperm directly from the epididymis, the duct that leaves the testicle and where sperm are stored and matured. It can be assessed as a step prior to testicular biopsy. The biopsy is carried out for two purposes:
Diagnosis: study the cause of male infertility. We can determine if azoospermia (absence of sperm in the ejaculate) is obstructive or secretory.
Obstructive azoospermia: when the seminal ducts are blocked but sperm production in the testicle is normal.
Secretory azoospermia: When sperm production or spermatogenesis is affected in the testicle.
Therapeutic: obtaining sperm in cases of azoospermia, which can be used in a fresh in vitro fertilisation cycle or frozen for future use.
