- Pre- treatment Evaluation & Counseling
During your initial visit our Specialist will take detail history. Initial assessment includes age, duration of infertility, any significant medical or surgical history, body weight/BMI, BP, and history of substance or drug abuse. At the same time the previous fertility treatment record is checked if done. A physical examination to rule out anatomic defect or varicocele if history is suggestive.
Our counselor make you opt for balanced diet and daily physical exercise for 20-30 min along with useful fertility tips to improve your chances of conception. Following a healthy daily routine with adequate sleep is as important as leaving harmful habits like junk food, caffeine, tobacco or alcohol. Injudicious use of steroids for bodybuilding is strictly advised against.
- Advanced Semen Analysis
Semen analysis is the cornerstone of male fertility evaluation. Sample has to be collected after an abstinence of 2-5 days. Our embryologist gives proper instructions for collection of semen sample and delivering it to the lab. Apart from macroscopic parameters volume, pH and liquefaction time, the sample is evaluated under high magnification for microscopic parameters i.e sperm concentration, motility (both progressive & non progressive), morphology, vitality and presence of any other abnormality. We at DREAMZ IVF follow World Health Organization (WHO) Manual for human semen analysis 2021 for reference values. If the report comes abnormal, we ask to repeat the test after 4 weeks.
- Hormonal Assays
If the semen analysis report is abnormal or there is male sexual dysfunction like erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, male sex hormones are evaluated. Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Leutinizing Hormone (LH), thyroid, prolactin are the major hormones involved with the process of spermatogenesis.
- Sperm Function Test
Sperms are highly motile cells with packed DNA in their head region. To survive in female body it should have intact plasma membrane, mitochondrial function to provide energy and acrosome reaction to penetrate in to egg in order to fertilize it. These functions are assessed by advanced sperm function tests.
- DNA Fragmentation Test
High number of sperms with fragmented DNA can be responsible for fertilization failure, poor embryo development and early pregnancy loss. Lifestyle behavior and environmental exposure to certain contaminants or high testicular temperature are few important causes of higher percentage of DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI). DREAMZ IVF offers DFI test with Halosperm kit and males with DFI > 30% are advised for assisted reproduction.
- Semen Culture
Basically, it is a bacteriological study of the semen. If the semen analysis reveals pus cells in huge number, blood in the semen or a change in the color or smell of the semen or if the man has testicular pain or swelling, semen culture is advised. If any infection is found it’s treated with appropriate antibiotics. Before undergoing an ART procedure, semen culture is a necessary investigation.