Whose sperm does IVF need?
IVF is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which helps couples who cannot conceive naturally to achieve their reproductive aspirations by cultivating the fertilized eggs in vitro and transplanting them into the patient's uterus. In the process of IVF, male sperm is needed. The following will elaborate on whose sperm is needed by IVF from four aspects: sperm collection, sperm identification, sperm storage and sperm selection.
1. Sperm collection
Sperm collection is the first step in IVF. The commonly used methods of sperm collection include manual ejaculation, artificial assisted ejaculation and semen donation. Manual ejaculation refers to the collection of semen after masturbation, which is applicable to men with certain sexual dysfunction. Artificial drainage is to help men drain the residual semen through external stimulation. Semen donation refers to the use of semen donated by healthy men for IVF, which is common in infertile couples where men cannot provide enough or poor quality sperm.
Sperm collection needs to be carried out by a formal hospital or reproductive medical center to ensure the sanitation of the sampling process and the quality of sperm. Doctors will select appropriate sampling methods according to the specific conditions of patients, and carry out corresponding detection and analysis.
2. Sperm identification
Sperm identification is to determine whether the quality of collected sperm meets the requirements of IVF. Sperm identification usually includes routine semen examination, sperm density test, sperm motility test and morphological evaluation. Through these examinations, we can learn various indicators of semen, such as the number, vitality and morphology of sperm. Normal sperm identification results are crucial for the smooth progress of IVF.
Sperm identification needs to be carried out in a professional reproductive medicine laboratory, using advanced equipment and technology to ensure the accuracy of the detection results. In many large hospitals or reproductive centers, there are reproductive medicine laboratories with the ability to conduct sperm identification.
3. Sperm storage
In some special cases, for example, men suffering from cancer need chemotherapy or surgery, which may affect the production and quality of sperm, so healthy sperm needs to be stored. Spermatozoa are usually stored by freezing in liquid nitrogen to maintain their vitality.
Sperm storage is usually carried out in the special equipment of the reproductive medical center to ensure the safety and accuracy of the freezing process. Cryopreserved sperm can be unfrozen when needed, and used for IVF and other reproductive technologies to help couples achieve their reproductive aspirations.
4. Sperm selection
In the process of IVF, sperm selection is sometimes required to improve the quality of fertilized eggs and the success rate of pairing. Common methods of sperm selection include centrifugation, osmosis and ICSI (egg cell sperm injection). Centrifuge is to separate semen into supernatant and residue rich in vitality and high-quality sperm by centrifuge, and then combine the supernatant with egg cells. Osmotic method is to expose sperm to a certain environment, and select sperm with strong vitality through the interaction between sperm and egg cell. ICSI is to inject single sperm into egg cell under microscope during IVF.
Sperm selection is usually performed by professional doctors or technicians to ensure the quality of selected sperm and the growth and development of fertilized eggs. The application of sperm selection technology can improve the success rate of IVF.
To sum up, IVF needs male sperm, and its sperm collection, identification, storage and selection need to be carried out in appropriate hospitals or reproductive medical centers. The smooth progress of these processes is crucial to the success of IVF.
