Anyone heard of UCSF "mapping"?

knjsims323 · 08-19-2008, 09:42 PM

DH goes back for his 3rd SA tomorrow (1st since antibiotics) and if it comes back azoospermia again, it's time for the biopsy to determine whether it is obstructive or non-obstructive.

I was doing some research tonight on IVF with ICSI and I came across something that gave me hope (which you all know is nice to have every now and then). Here is what the article said

One of the most exciting advances has been the development at UCSF of a quick and simple fine needle technique that can "map" the presence of mature sperm in the testis. Because of the large emotional and financial costs associated with these high-technology procedures, it has become a
diagnostic challenge to fully inform the the couple of the likelihood that sperm will be obtained from testes that harbor a sperm production problem. This may help avoid cancellation of an IVF cycle. The mapping technique is important because it can help couples decide whether it is reasonable to spend thousands of dollars on an IVF cycle and testis sperm extraction (TESE), since the failure rate to retrieve testis sperm by biopsy has been so high. Because the "mapping" technique is much less invasive than a testis biopsy, many different areas of the testis can be sampled quickly and safely. If sperm can be identified within the testis, then later on, at the time of egg retrieval, a biopsy may be "directed" to that area of the testis to obtain sperm for use with IVF and ICSI.

Now after doing more research I'm even more confused. Is this what fine needle aspiration is? If so, is it something that is commonly done when trying to determine the cause of and/or treat MFI?

Thanks in advance!!!

momto3angels · 08-21-2008, 04:40 PM

I dont' know the answer to your question but it's a good one. I know we went through the biopsy to see if DH's body produced sperm (it does) and his aszeospermia is due to blockage.

It sounds like "mapping" is a TESE done in several different locations to see if/where the body is making sperm and if/where the blocakge is. However, DH thought that the recovery from the biopsy wasn't so bad. The recoveries from his TESE varied from "not bad at all" to "holy $)*%" We could never figure out when/why it was easy or hard.

Good luck with your research and the process. We were told that it's rare that a man is sterile for unknown reasons. I hope this is true for you, too.

knjsims323 · 08-24-2008, 09:18 AM

That's what the mapping sounded like to me too..

The SA did come back azoospermia again, but since his second round of testosterone levels aren't back yet, we have to wait until the 5th for his next appointment..

08-19-2008, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
knjsims323 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 42	Anyone heard of UCSF "mapping"? DH goes back for his 3rd SA tomorrow (1st since antibiotics) and if it comes back azoospermia again, it's time for the biopsy to determine whether it is obstructive or non-obstructive. I was doing some research tonight on IVF with ICSI and I came across something that gave me hope (which you all know is nice to have every now and then). Here is what the article said One of the most exciting advances has been the development at UCSF of a quick and simple fine needle technique that can "map" the presence of mature sperm in the testis. Because of the large emotional and financial costs associated with these high-technology procedures, it has become a diagnostic challenge to fully inform the the couple of the likelihood that sperm will be obtained from testes that harbor a sperm production problem. This may help avoid cancellation of an IVF cycle. The mapping technique is important because it can help couples decide whether it is reasonable to spend thousands of dollars on an IVF cycle and testis sperm extraction (TESE), since the failure rate to retrieve testis sperm by biopsy has been so high. Because the "mapping" technique is much less invasive than a testis biopsy, many different areas of the testis can be sampled quickly and safely. If sperm can be identified within the testis, then later on, at the time of egg retrieval, a biopsy may be "directed" to that area of the testis to obtain sperm for use with IVF and ICSI. Now after doing more research I'm even more confused. Is this what fine needle aspiration is? If so, is it something that is commonly done when trying to determine the cause of and/or treat MFI? Thanks in advance!!!

08-21-2008, 04:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
momto3angels 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: South NJ Posts: 3,710 Blog Entries: 5	I dont' know the answer to your question but it's a good one. I know we went through the biopsy to see if DH's body produced sperm (it does) and his aszeospermia is due to blockage. It sounds like "mapping" is a TESE done in several different locations to see if/where the body is making sperm and if/where the blocakge is. However, DH thought that the recovery from the biopsy wasn't so bad. The recoveries from his TESE varied from "not bad at all" to "holy $)*%" We could never figure out when/why it was easy or hard. Good luck with your research and the process. We were told that it's rare that a man is sterile for unknown reasons. I hope this is true for you, too. __________________ AR 9 IVF & 1 FET Mom to angels: H 10/24-10/25/03, R b/d 10/27/03 and A b/d 10/28/03. Earth Angels: J b 5/08/05 and L b 5/26/07 ^i^ ^i^ == A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam. And for a brief moment, Its glory and beauty belong to our world…But then it flies on again, And though we wish it could have stayed, We feel so lucky to have seen it.

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08-24-2008, 09:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
knjsims323 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 42	That's what the mapping sounded like to me too.. The SA did come back azoospermia again, but since his second round of testosterone levels aren't back yet, we have to wait until the 5th for his next appointment..