Severe MFI & TESA - we can ICSI but not PICSI

[k1111k]

DH has severe MFI (which is what led us to IVF) - he used to have a very low sperm count +/-200k but it has dropped to zero (yes, zero) in the past couple of years.  Good news is, his great Uro found lots of sperm in his testicles...it just doesn't come out in his ejaculate now.  "Your cup is full it just doesn't runneth over"...anymore.  This could be related to DH having been a preemie as well as having testicular surgery for a hydrocele as a toddler.

ANYwho we've hoped to do PICSI which can help choose the best quality sperm for ICSI rather than just relying on a visual inspection alone (which can't detect DNA issues).  But we've learned that the sperm his URO obtains from TESA (aspirated directly from the testicles) is "immature" sperm and PICSI can only be done with mature sperm.  I'm bummed out about this since I'm now AMA and would love to know that we're fertilizing all of my eggs with the best sperm possible.  What if they fertilize my best egg/s with "bad" sperm?  Ugh.  

I wouldn't worry about this as much if I was A) younger and producing more quality eggs overall, B) if DH's severe MFI wasn't so severe, and C) if I wasn't an emotional wreck on these hormones

Does anyone else have experience with TESA?  We did use it with IVF #1 and had a good fert rate but our embies failed between days 3-5 which could indicate sperm problems...hmmm.  I just wish they had more tests for sperm!

P.S. I guess sperm DNA frag tests exist but his sperm is too immature for that also...

[NariaDreaming]

I have no experience. I just want to offer {{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[k1111k]

Thank you! I just hope the labs completely random sperm selection process works well for us tomorrow

[vballbaby]

Fx that the lab tech has an excellent eye for good sperm!

[tumbleweed]

k1111k crossing everything for the random selection! I don't have tesa advice...but... I'm crossing everything that they choose good sperm and they meet good eggs!

[remylove1011]

FX that everything goes well with selection tomorrow and they get the best ones!

[lemonliz]

I have no advice, just hugs!! I hope the ICSI is successful in fertilizing. PICSI is more of a medium and not really a technique, right? Is there any way they could mature the sperm like they might be able to do with an egg? TESA is not something we've had any experience with and I cant recall a recent grad-situation, either.

[k1111k]

TY lemonliz! Yes, it's a medium that the more competent sperm are attracted to: origio.com/~/media/files_to_download/Marketing%20brochures/HBA-PICSI-Embryologist-sheet-web.ashx

[kensie5226]

No advice. Just good vibes.

[cinzink]

I have no experience with this but I'm sorry that you're going through it. The worry and stress is definitely not something you need with extra hormones. I know it sounds silly but I'm a "list" person. I usually don't make pros and cons lists. What I do a list/timeline for my possible plans separately. Sometimes my plan or option I choose isn't even something I decided on but I feel better being able to physically view and hold a possible plan. No matter what remember that the decision you make is the right decision for when you're making (always easier said than done but someone told me this exact thing on the previous voldemort site and it helped me). FX and best wishes for working through this and having a positive outcome.

[tptbabe]

From what I've read, DNA fragmentation usually happens later on in the maturation process, so I would think that sperm from a TESE would have better frag than ejaculate? We were told by our RE that since we have an antibody problem, that it might help, since antibodies usually come into play around the time of maturation.

[saysjess]

No advice-- just hugs! GL and keep us posted! xo

Edited: because no one wants hogs...