[momtonoah]

My husband has zero sperm (according to his semen annalysis) we're guessing due to his childhood cancer in which he received chemotherapy & possibly radiation (that's up for debate with his mother...). Once we found out that he had no sperm, we pursued adoption & are now very happy to have out (now 9 month old) son. We're talking about what we'll do with our next child, weither we want to adopt again or try more ourselves.

I remember someone mentioning to me once that they can do a testicular biopsy to see if he might have a few sperm still alive..... does anyone know about this procedure? How likely it is that he'll have anything? And how much it costs??

I don't have any problems, that we're aware of, so would we then do IVF? Cost estimate for that?

Thanks! I'm just beginning this process & totally in the dark!

[Deej]

I am not familiar with your situation, but I am sure somebody on this forum is! You will find lots of encouragement support advice and friendship here! Best of luck with your journey!

[J*e*n*_78]

Hi again! I just responded to your other post- I wish I knew how to link you to the azoospermia thread but I don't know how!! Maybe someone can post the link for you?!?!?! Or like I mentioned in the other post, just type in azoospermia in the search box (that's what i always do ! )
Jen

[LinzB]

There is no short response to your question, so this may be lengthy. My husband had several semen analyses come back with 0 sperm count. He had an ultrasound done to rule out a blockage, then finally went in for a testicular biopsy. We found out that he simply does not produce any sperm. If he had, we would have been able to extract it and use his sperm in IVF. However, we are currently trying IUI with a donor. We have tried it once, BFN. We tried again last week, and are waiting. My suggestion is to try the ultrasound first (least invasive), then the biopsy. From there, if he has sperm production, there may be a blockage and the sperm can be rerouted and you can continue ttc the natural way OR use his sperm for IFV. I would suggest trying IUI before IVF, it is much less expensive and less invasive.
IVF- $4,000-$10,000 (on the higher end the first time you do it)
IUI- as little at $500-$1500

Donor sperm can cost anywhere from $300-$500 a vial.

Keep me posted. Good luck!

[t2j]

Okay, well maybe I can shed some light for you. My dh was told years ago, 1995 that he would never be able to have children of his own as he had zero sperm in all of his testsand after a testicular biopsy they found that both tubes had been comprimised. In 2001 we started our journey to try IVF. Come to find out, he has sperm and lots of it, it just has no way to get out. After seeing a uroloigist, they explained that we could undergo a TESA...which they would extract epidimus (tissue) which the sperm are in, and then use that. Now for those that are awake and just have a local, it is pretty painful. Being knocked out is highly suggested. They take the samples and view the sperm count and motility. That is when they find out if you are able to use his sperm or move on to donor sperm. We were very fortunate to be ble to use his. I would also suggest that you ask for enough samples for several cycles.

[Curlgirl503]

Hi! I'm new here and just saw your post. My husband had a testicular biopsy on Dec. 27th. He had several zero count sperm annalysis. We were told by our urologist that we probably wouldn't find anything but my husband decided on his own to persue it. Good thing he did because he does have sperm! He was asleep for the proceedure and had to take a couple of days off of work. It wasn't too bad (or so he says). We were "back to business" within a week. So now, we're getting ready to start in vitro with ICSI! So, I think it's totally worth it to do the biopsy, take it from someone who was convinced that there was no chance to have a child with my husband.

[teresita]

My husband has zero sperm count because he has klinefelter's syndrome (xxy mosaic), which he was not aware of.

Our doctor wants him to try tese. He has a 50/50 chance of finding sperm, but the sperm he finds may have some abnormality and so he also told us to see a geneticist.

Has anyone with klinefelter's gone through tese?

[Kris79]

Teresita -

I don't know if you still are on the forums...my dh has the same diagnosis and was given a 50/50 chance as well. We haven't had our genetic counseling yet or TESE, but I was curious to know how things went for you all. Thanks.

[teresita]

Hello Kristen,

Just read your response.

What's the status on the genetic counsellor on your end?

The genetic counsellor suggested we undergo PGD with IVF/ICSI to verify the embryos before transferring them into me.

My husband has not yet undergone tese.

The procedure was originally scheduled for AUG 22 but had to be rescheduled because they only managed to retrieve 9 mature follicles at my IVF retrieval. Also I developed severe backpain about 10 days ago, which I now believe is caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). They diagnosed this on me today (I developed fever and severe abdominal discomfort following the retrieval this past Sunday August 24th.

They have frozen my embryos and I need to do another cycle of IVF in a few months.

I am presently on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. I am hoping and praying that the PID has not caused permanent damage to my reproductive system. I need to see my doctor again on Friday Aug. 29th.

[Kris79]

teresita -

thanks for the response. I'm sorry to hear things were delayed for you. I think waiting is one of the hardest parts of this whole process. I hope you get over your infection soon and you can move ahead with IVF.

We still haven't heard from the genetic counselor...kinda getting irritated to have to wait so long just to get scheduled. We'll call again if we don't hear something in the next week. I kind of feel like I know what they're going to tell us but I understand why they feel they need to do this. Also, I guess they're supposed to discuss some other health issues that dh could be more at risk for because of the Klinefelter's.

We'll have to keep in touch about how things go with TESE. While azoospermia itself is rare, Klinefelter's adds its own challenges so it's nice to find someone else going through the same thing. Best of luck to you and your dh.

[teresita]

Hello Kristen,

I'm glad we can share our stories.

Don't worry about the Klinefelter's. The percentage of your offspring being passed on any or the same gene abnormaity is very low.

I was very bitter when we found out about the Klinefelter's. My husband feels so guilty and ashamed.

My dh and I also waited quite a number of months before getttnig an app't with the geneticist...yes waiting is definetely very difficult.

Discuss PGD with your doctor if he hasn't already, as well as with your geneticist. It is 99% accurate for detecting any embryo genetic abnormalities and it is performed before the embryo transfer. I'm sure the geneticist will discuss this extremely recommended part of the IVF process. The doctor will probably also recommend amniocentisis as well.

We also needed to choose donor sperm as a backup, in case no sperm is found during tese. This was one of the hardest things we've had to do. My dh had an especially difficult time with this. A counsellor is always assigned to discuss this with the couple. We went for 2 sessions, which was enough to "sort of" convince my husband about this whole subject. Finding a donor that suits you is extremely difficult.

But, I am definitely jumping ahead.

You need to really take this whole process on a step-by-step basis, literally.

Write down all the questions you may have for the geneticist.

I had a follow-up app't today with my doctor. My infection is slowly going away, but my ovaries are still extremely enlarged, so I need to go back next Tuesday.

I will keep you posted on any developments on my end as well, however the nurses at the clinic I am followed at already warned me not to expect the TESE to be performed before December!

All my best wishes to you and your husband and PLEASE keep in touch.

Take care.

[Kris79]

Teresita -
Thanks for your encouragement!

I'm glad things are improving with your infection.

We still don't have an appt. with geneticist. Our UR e-mailed them today and they responded by saying they did not have any availability until January. Thankfully our UR told them that wasn't acceptable and he personally spoke to the geneticist about seeing us sooner, which he said they would do. Thank God!! I could not wait until January. I think I'd go nuts.

We have already decided that if his TESE is unsuccessful that we will do donor embryo. Neither of is comfortable with donor sperm so we've decided not to go that route (but I totally understand why you would want to pursue it...but hopefully you won't need it!) If TESE doesn't work, I'm not ready to give up pregnancy just yet so that's how we landed on donor embryo.

Well, December isn't so far in the scheme of things (but I know it seems like forever when you want it now!), but I hope you get scheduled for December. Can't wait for you guys to get your BFP!! Keep in touch. If you would rather correspond through PM, that'd be great!