Having a child is the dream of almost every couple. And for this dream to come true, a long journey may be necessary. Among the various reasons a couple might have trouble conceiving, some involve only the man. And within these reasons, a relatively straightforward solution may exist: testicular biopsy.

And even though this name causes some apprehension in many men, it is a safe procedure that can be of great help in solving this problem. In today’s text, we will talk about what a testicular biopsy is, in which situations it can be performed, and what the real dangers or effects may be. Read on and get all your questions answered.

What is a Testicular Biopsy?

A testicular biopsy is, basically, a surgery performed to collect sperm directly from a man’s testicles. It is a relatively simple and safe procedure.

During the surgery, a small piece of testicular tissue is removed from the man and, from this sample, sperm are collected. It is important not to confuse this procedure with testicular aspiration, a similar procedure in which sperm are retrieved with a syringe.

The purpose of this type of surgery is usually for alternative fertilization methods such as in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination.

When is Testicular Biopsy Indicated?

When a man does not present gametes in his sperm, he is unable to reproduce. However, often the problem is not in producing these cells, but somewhere along the path before they are expelled.

That’s why a testicular biopsy is indicated for those men who have healthy reproductive cells at their source, since this way a woman can become pregnant through alternative methods.

How is the Testicular Biopsy Procedure Performed?

As we mentioned earlier, the testicular biopsy is a procedure in which a piece of a man’s testicular tissue is removed. But even though this may sound dangerous or even scary to some, it is done in a simple and quick manner. Today, there are two ways to perform a testicular biopsy. They are:

  • TESE
  • Micro-TESE

Let’s talk a bit more about each of them and explain the main differences.

TESE

This is the most conventional way to perform the surgery, using a microscope to help with tissue removal. The incision is made about one centimeter in the man’s testicle, since this is the area where the largest amount of sperm is concentrated. After the sperm is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis. If the result is positive, the man can use these cells for alternative fertilization methods.

Micro-TESE

This is a more modern procedure where more powerful microscopes locate specific areas where large quantities of sperm are concentrated. As with TESE, the sperm collected is also sent for analysis and can be used if the results are positive.

Is Testicular Biopsy Dangerous?

If a man has a serious testicular disease such as testicular cancer, nodules, or some type of trauma, performing a testicular biopsy may end up worsening the condition in some way.

In this case, it is necessary for a specialist doctor to evaluate beforehand to determine if the man can undergo the procedure. However, risks are virtually nonexistent for completely healthy men, as this is a very safe process.

Other Important Male Exams

For a doctor to recommend a testicular biopsy, there are several important male exams, both to determine if a man is fertile—meaning if his sperm contains enough gametes—and to assess the possibilities of alternative fertilization methods. Some of these exams are:

  • Testicular Ultrasound
  • Semen Analysis
  • Hormone Dosage Test

Let’s talk a bit more about each so you can better understand them.

Testicular Ultrasound

This exam is simply a regular ultrasound, which uses sound waves to examine a man’s entire testicle. With the image, the doctor can detect any alteration that may be the reason for possible infertility.

Semen Analysis

This consists of the laboratory analysis of the gamete count in these cells. It is usually the first test a doctor requests to check if a man is infertile or not.

Hormone Dosage Test

The hormone dosage test measures the levels of several types of hormones, such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, among others. Through this exam, a doctor can assess possible causes of a man’s infertility.

Testicular biopsy is a procedure that can be very useful and help relieve a couple from great frustration. And despite the fear that affects some men, it is important to know that this is a very simple procedure that presents almost no risk, and is also painless.

But what a man should consider, above all, is how this little procedure can make his and his partner’s dream come true. An honest and open conversation between the couple about the subject is always necessary and beneficial, but understanding the relevance of this alternative is important for both.

The dream of building a family may face obstacles, but medicine and science have given us more and more alternatives to overcome them and achieve what we want.

See Also: Testicular Aspiration – What Are the Indications
Photo: Ciencias Espanolas