Q: My partner has Azoospermia (absence of sperm in ejaculate). What should our next step be when trying to get pregnant?

A: Many doctors will do genetic testing with this diagnosis, because there is a possibility of abnormal chromosomes, such as in Klinefelter's syndrome (47, XXY), and so-called autosomal translocations. If genetic abnormalities are found, genetic counseling is suggested because there is a potential of transmitting the chromosome problem to the baby. One way to get pregnant with azoospermia is to surgically remove sperm from the testes and do IVF and ICSI. Surgical techniques:

• Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration (TFNA)
• Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA)
• Percutaneous biopsy of the testis (PercBiopsy)
• Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA)