Have Questions?
Review our glossary of terms and list of frequently asked questions.


 

We are your trusted source for reproductive care.
Male fertility is fairly straightforward. Tests will check for sperm production and will also provide information about the number and quality of sperm. For 40% of our couples, male infertility is a factor in their inability to conceive. At Midwest Fertility, we treat both partners to discover anything that may be preventing a pregnancy.

If you have questions or you are ready to schedule an appointment please contact us.

 
 
Semen Analysis
Semen Analysis
The first step in evaluating male factor infertility is to perform an analysis of a semen sample.  During a semen analysis we measure the sperm concentration, which is the number of sperm per milliliter of sample.  We will also determine the motility or the percentage of sperm that are moving, the morphology or shape of the sperm, and finally the viability or the percentage of live sperm in the sample.  Any values that fall outside of established reference ranges may contribute to a couple’s inability to become pregnant.

The Results

  • Total semen volume
  • Sperm count
  • Ability of sperm to swim (motility)
  • Forward progression of the sperm
  • Size and shape of the sperm (morphology)
  • The liquefaction of the semen (the ability to go from normal gel-like state at ejaculation to a liquid state)
  • Viscosity
  • Additional Testing
Male Fertility Services

Sperm cryopreservation
Cryopreservation, or freezing of sperm, may offer men facing radiation or chemotherapy the ability to father children in the future.  These types of treatment may sometimes compromise or totally destroy the ability of the testicles to produce sperm. The patient can produce a semen sample at our laboratory and have it frozen prior to undergoing treatment for their disease.  The freezing process allows for the storage of sperm for many years.

Sperm cryopreservation may also benefit men who travel extensively for work, or military personnel preparing to ship overseas.  All servicemen who are being deployed may have their semen samples frozen at Midwest Fertility Specialists at no charge as our way of supporting our troops.

Sperm aspiration (testicular or epididymal)
Men who’ve had a vasectomy, blocked ducts or who cannot ejaculate may still have viable sperm to use for a possible pregnancy. Sperm can sometimes still be found in the epididymis, the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis.  An epididymal aspiration uses a tiny needle to remove sperm from these tubes. In other cases, a small piece of testicular tissue is removed to isolate viable sperm. The epididymal aspirations are performed by a board certified urologist in the laboratory at our Carmel office.  Testicular biopsies are performed in the surgery center adjacent to our office. When aspiration is used to obtain sperm, it is done in conjunction with a cycle of in vitro fertilization and ICSI for the best possible chance of conceiving. The sperm which is obtained can be cryopreserved so that a single aspiration procedure can provide for multiple cycles of IVF treatment.