Testicular PRP: A New Hope for Treating Male Infertility
An application that improves the function of sperm-producing cells in the testicles, boosting IVF success rates at Acıbadem Maslak Hospital. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy shows promise as an innovative approach to treating male infertility, particularly for men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Testicular PRP injections can enhance sperm concentration, also known as sperm density, which refers to the number of sperm per milliliter of semen.
At Acıbadem Maslak IVF Clinic, testicular PRP is offered as a safe and effective treatment option for male infertility.Infertility may arise from a deficit in either the female or the male. A common cause of infertility in men is azoospermia, characterized by the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate and is present in around 5%–10% of infertile men.
Currently, the primary treatment for these cases is Micro-TESE, which is a method that involves retrieving sperm directly from the seminiferous tubules of the testis under a microscope in an operating room. Following the procedure, live sperm cells are separated in the laboratory and, subsequently, injected into the egg using microinjection to ensure fertilization. However, some patients still don’t yield sperm even after repeated Micro-TESE attempts. In these challenging situations, Acıbadem Maslak IVF Clinic offers unique solutions that might enhance sperm quality and quantity, increasing the likelihood of conceiving.
PRP application may offer a ray of hope for couples struggling with infertility. To investigate the effects and benefits of PRP on male infertility caused by azoospermia, specialists from Acıbadem’s IVF Department, renowned experts in reproductive medicine and andrology, published the first academic study in this field, achieving promising outcomes.
How PRP Works to Enhance Sperm Producing?
The procedure involves obtaining PRP from the men’s own blood through a simple blood draw. After extracting platelet-rich plasma from the blood sample, it is then administered into the testis under local or sedation anesthesia, targeting seminiferous tubules or interstitial space. Thus, it can improve sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm DNA integrity in men. This innovative technique offers promising prospects for improving IVF outcomes and increasing the chances of successful conception.
Testicular PRP therapy was administered to 135 men included in the study, resulting in positive sperm retrieval rates of 27.5% in patients with one prior failed Micro-TESE procedure and 16.4% in those with two or more failed attempts. IVF outcomes showed fertilization rates of 86.4% and 100.0% in the respective groups, with pregnancy rates of 36.8% and 22.2% per embryo transfer.
