Accurate testing and reliable sperm washing service helps men in the Dallas area become fathers
Sperm washing is a very technique-specific approach to increasing your chance of becoming a father. For this reason, it’s important to put your trust in a Dallas Sperm Washing Service that is experienced and knowledgeable about this technical procedure. The NTMIC Sperm Lab in Frisco, TX is led by nationally-recognized fertility expert, Director Dr. Jeffrey P. Buch. Dallas-Fort Worth area residents benefit from having one of the country’s few sperm laboratories in close proximity. NTMIC Sperm Lab has developed a reputation as a regional reference laboratory for semen testing; you can be confident in the accuracy of the lab’s diagnostics. An accurate understanding of the true nature of a couple’s fertility challenges leads to effective clinical treatment.
Why wash?
It’s estimated that around one-third of infertility cases are due to the man’s challenges with fertility, known as male-factor infertility. Another third of cases are due to the woman’s fertility challenges, while the remaining cases are a combination of both men’s and women’s infertility or have an unknown source – no clearly identified cause.
The process of “washing” helps to enhance sperm’s fertilizing capacity. It’s generally recommended in cases of unexplained or male-factor infertility. It may also be ordered should you and your partner be grappling with immunologic infertility, which refers to those immune conditions that can inhibit pregnancy or placental development. Antibodies, for example, may attach to the sperm’s surface and interfere with fertilization following scrotal injury, surgery, or infection.
Sperm washing is also required should you and your partner decide to move forward with intrauterine insemination (IUI). Before semen can be inserted into a woman’s uterus, it must be washed or processed. The act of sperm washing removes chemicals and other materials that cause adverse reactions; for example, the prostaglandins in raw semen cause muscular cramping, severe pain, and even uterine collapse if applied directly to the uterus – rather than going through the cervix.
Testing that gives you the whole picture
The results from semen analysis help to determine the most appropriate methods to increase your chances of becoming a father. NTMIC Sperm Lab takes a comprehensive approach to testing; for instance, not all laboratories account for morphology when assessing the sample to be used for insemination. Morphology refers to the shape, size, and appearance of sperm cells, as well as sperm structure. More than half of cells examined should be “normal,” in shape, size, and length – free of characteristics like defective heads, midsections, and tails. The greater the percentage of abnormal sperm present in a sample, the higher the likelihood of fertility challenges. Sperm with good morphology can generally penetrate the egg on their own.
By removing dead, abnormal sperm and other fluids and chemicals, washing isolates the sperm that have a better chance of surviving and fertilizing. NTMIC Sperm Lab conducts an assessment before and after the sperm wash. Improved morphology is associated with improved fertility rates!
Sperm washing is largely most appropriate for those men who have adequate morphology but:
- Low sperm concentration – Also known as sperm count or density, this indicator is measured in millions of sperm per milliliter. The fewer sperm, the greater the odds of impaired fertility.
- Low motility – The percentage of moving sperm in a sample, this indicator is graded on speed and direction, ideally moving at good speeds in a straight line. “Zero” refers for no motion, while “3” or “4” represent good movement.
Improving fertility, in a few steps
Sperm washing requires very little preparation. Notably, you’ll want to abstain from sex for at least two days (but not longer than five days) before the sample is collected. It’s important to speak with the doctor about any antibiotics that you may be taking, as they can affect sperm quality. The lab will provide more information on your options for where and how to collect samples.
This process is not any single technique. NTMIC Sperm Lab uses a “premium” or density gradient approach. This technique takes about an hour and uses a layered medium that is spun in a centrifuge to separate the most motile and quality sperm from seminal fluid, miscellaneous debris, and contaminants. Other techniques, such as the “swim-up” method, aren’t suitable for men who, for instance, have poor motility because this approach depends on the sperm swimming their way up in a prepared culture dish. Only the strongest and healthiest make it to the top.
Washing means the most robust and active sperm are used for fertilization. Find out more during a consultation. To schedule, call (972) 616-4477.
