Male Infertility
 The Southeastern Fertility Center is the region's leading referral
center for treatment of male infertility, low sperm count, and
all male-related fertility problems.
This section is more appropriately labeled male
subfertility since recent advances in the diagnosis
and treatment of male fertility factors allow virtually all men
the opportunity to become fathers.
Male related fertility factors generally
are caused by low numbers, poor movement, or abnormal structure
of the sperm. However, functional abnormalities of the sperm may
also be present, even if all other parameters are normal.
The basic semen analysis is the best tool for
initial evaluation of the male. However, other tests which may
be recommended include:
- Sperm Antibody Testing
- Kruger Morphology
- Sperm Penetration Assay
- Computer Assisted Movement Analysis
- Urologic Examination
- Karyotyping
- Testicular Biopsy
- Ultrasound Exam
- Hormonal Evaluation
If you have been told that you (or your partner)
has some problem with the sperm or semen, click on this link for
information which may be of help. (Male
Factor Information).
The Southeastern Fertility Center is fortunate
to be associated with Dr. Ed Kim. Dr. Kim joined
the University of Tennessee Medical Center after being in practice
with Dr. Larry Lipshultz, the past president of the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine and one of the world's leading authorities
on male subfertility. Dr. Kim's experience allows evaluation and
treatment modalities that are available at only a handful of centers
in the United States.
Methods of treatment for male subfertility include
intrauterine insemination, hormonal therapy, lifestyle changes,
various surgical procedures, and of course, ICSI. Intracytoplasmic
Sperm Injection has truly revolutionized the treatment of
the subfertile male since it's introduction in 1992.
ICSI is performed in conjunction with other techniques
for In Vitro Fertilization.
After stimulation of the wife's ovaries to induce development
of multiple eggs, the eggs are retrieved and carefully separated
from the surrounding, attached cells. Using a specially developed
microscope and glass needles, a micromanipulator is used to inject
a single sperm into each egg. Although one might conclude that
all such injected eggs are now "fertilized", in actuality,
the fertilization rate with ICSI is about the same as in conventional
IVF, i.e. approximately 65-70%. Thus, only a dozen or so sperm
(as opposed to many million) are necessary to achieve a pregnancy
with ICSI. This number of sperm are retrievable in the vast majority
of subfertile males. Please refer to our section on IVF.
Click
here to see a video of the ICSI procedure, in which
a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.
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