All You Need To Know About Sperm Collection for IVF

ByRohan Sharma
Updated: 31 May 2025, 10:47 am

If you are planning for IVF, it becomes crucial for both partners to have a good understanding of all the procedures. One such procedure to keep in mind is sperm collection. Sperm collection can either be done at home or in the fertility clinic in sterile rooms. Whichever method you choose, it is advisable to consult your healthcare experts on how to proceed with it for successful conception.

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Are you setting out on a journey of IVF? Prepare yourself not only physically but also financially and emotionally. And if this is your first time, you are likely to have many questions. Two procedures are essential for a successful IVF journey: egg retrieval and sperm collection.

In this article:


Sperm collection involves collecting the sperm sample and sending it for analysis at the fertility clinic. You can also opt for sperm collection at home. Sperm fertilises the egg. Hence, it becomes crucial to choose high-quality sperm to ensure a smooth operation.

The healthcare experts at the fertility clinic analyse the sperm to check its quality and then isolate the high-quality ones for fertilisation. Follow a balanced diet and lifestyle to produce healthy and highly motile sperm to increase the chances of a successful IVF cycle.


Sperm Collection in IVF: An Overview

Sperm collection is an essential process in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), and it plays a crucial role in successful fertilisation. The quantity, quality, and timing of the sperm impact embryo development and drive IVF success. Sperm collection is done through ejaculation at the fertility clinic on the same day as egg retrieval. In case of medical conditions or male infertility, frozen sperm may be used.


The healthcare professionals prescribe a list of dos and don'ts for the process to maintain the quality of the sperm. After collection, the sperm sample is analysed in the lab. Specialists carefully assess factors such as motility, shape, and overall quality to select the most suitable sperm for fertilisation.


How To Prepare for the Sperm Collection Process?

Accurate preparation for sperm collection is essential to maintain the quality of the sample and ensure higher success rates. Here's how to prepare for the sperm collection process:

  • Avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs

To get the best quality semen, it is advisable to avoid tobacco, alcohol or any recreational drugs for a few days before the test. These contain toxins that affect the sperm quality and, eventually, the results of the analysis. Moreover, the usage of these also negatively affects sperm health.

  • Do not use lubricants

During sperm collection, it’s best to avoid oils, creams, and lubricants, as they can affect sperm motility and quality. Keeping the sample free from other substances helps ensure accurate results.

  • Have a healthy diet

For the days following the collection, follow a healthy diet and stay hydrated to ensure the sperm sample is of high quality. It is advisable to consume a diet rich in vitamin C and zinc to boost sperm production. Moreover, drinking water and staying hydrated positively impact semen volume.

  • Abstain from ejaculation

Healthcare experts often advise abstaining from ejaculating around 2 to 5 days before the test. Refrain from masturbation or sexual intercourse to prevent ejaculation. While ejaculating frequently reduces sperm volume, not ejaculating for more than five days lowers sperm motility.


Instructions Given to Men Before Collection

The healthcare experts offer a list of instructions before the sperm collection process. Follow these instructions to ensure high success rates for IVF. Some of these instructions include:

  • Have an abstinence period of 2-5 days, not too short or too long, to prevent the risk of sperm quality and motility damage
  • Connect with your healthcare expert and schedule the semen collection around a day in advance
  • Urinate before the sperm collection process
  • Masturbate and collect the sperm in a sterile specimen cup
  • Secure the cup and maintain it upright for successful transport
  • Do not expose the sample to heat or cold
Sperm collection is usually a quick process, though lab analysis and special cases can add complexity. Handling the sample properly helps ensure the best sperm are available for fertilisation.

  • Laboratory handling of sperm samples

Once you have transferred the sperm samples to the fertility clinic, the healthcare experts take care of the rest of the process in the lab. Healthcare professionals usually follow two methods to handle sperm samples:

  • Immediate processing

Immediately, sperm analysis is done to check for volume, motility, count and morphology. The experts perform sperm washing and density gradient centrifugation to isolate the healthy sperm to foster fertilisation.

  • Cryopreservation for future use

If you do not want to use the sperm immediately, request cryopreservation. This method is helpful if you are undergoing cancer treatment or have undergone numerous IVF cycles. The cryopreserved sperm can be used in the future as a collection procedure.


Different Methods of Sperm Collection for IVF

Healthcare experts may extract sperm from your body for IVF via different methods. This entirely depends on any underlying health condition or your fertility health. Here are some of the top methods for sperm collection for IVF:

  • Masturbation

Masturbation is a common and non-invasive way to collect sperm at fertility clinics. Clinics provide sterile containers and private, clean rooms for this. The sperm is analysed and prepared for fertilisation on the same day as the egg retrieval.

  • Surgical sperm retrieval

If you have a low sperm count or motility, your healthcare expert may perform different surgical methods for sperm retrieval. These include:

  • TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration): Sperm extraction is done through needle insertion directly from the testicles.
  • PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration): Sperm extraction is done from the epididymis.
  • TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction): The small tissue of the testicle is taken as a sample and tested for sperm.
  • Micro-TESE: A microscope is used to identify the sperm-producing areas.

  • Use of donor sperm

If you have a severe infertility issue, it is advisable to use donor sperm. Donor sperm is the best to use in case of genetic disorders or previous treatment failure. The healthcare experts at the fertility clinic screen the donor sperm for health and genetic conditions. If everything is clear, the donor sperm is used.


Special Circumstances in Sperm Collection

Sperm collection is the standard procedure of IVF, but due to some medical conditions, there are alternative approaches. These special circumstances usually include post-cancer treatment and azoospermia.

  • Collection in cases of azoospermia

Azoospermia refers to the condition where no sperm is present in ejaculation. It is of two types: obstructive (blockage) and non-obstructive (due to poor quality sperm production).

For obstructive azoospermia, blockage happens in the reproductive tract, preventing sperm from ejaculation. Healthcare experts use MESA to treat obstructive azoospermia. In MESA, the healthcare professionals directly extract sperm from the area of blockage, the epididymis.

For non-obstructive azoospermia, poor sperm production occurs in the body due to various medical conditions. Healthcare experts use microdissection TESE (micro-TESE) to retrieve the produced sperm from the testes.

Healthcare professionals perform local or general anaesthesia to retrieve the sperm directly. It is an invasive method but provides higher chances of conception, especially if you're infertile.

  • Collection after cancer treatment

Cancer treatment, such as radiation and chemotherapy, affects sperm production. These cancer treatments may or may not cause temporary or permanent azoospermia. Your healthcare expert may recommend that you go for sperm banking before treatment.

Healthcare experts may use surgical retrieval techniques like TESE or micro-TESE if banking isn't available. These treatment methods help to retrieve the sperm for assisted reproduction therapy.

If you have partial sperm recovery after cancer treatment, the doctor may also recommend hormonal therapy and repeated sampling to retrieve strong and highly motile sperm.

Sperm collection after these treatments can be a medical and emotional challenge. It is advisable to consult healthcare experts for personalised medical planning and to get enough emotional support to overcome sperm preservation challenges for IVF.


Tips To Improve Sperm Quality Before IVF

Improving sperm quality before IVF increases fertilisation rates and supports healthy embryo development. Here are a few tips to improve sperm quality before undergoing IVF procedure:

  • Diet and supplements

Before IVF treatment, follow a healthy and well-balanced diet containing minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that support sperm production and motility. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional on what foods to include in a diet to improve sperm quality and motility. You may also take a few supplements to improve fertility if you're struggling with any condition.

  • Lifestyle modifications

Apart from a healthy diet, it is also advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can improve sperm quality significantly. Thus, it is advisable to stay away from drugs, alcohol and smoking as much as possible. Maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, and avoiding being exposed to heat for too long are also suggested. Excessive heat due to tight underwear can negatively affect sperm production.

  • Medical treatments

Undergo medical treatments if you have any underlying medical conditions. Depending on your situation, the healthcare experts may recommend surgery, hormonal therapy or any other relevant treatment methods.


Challenges/Issues Faced During Sperm Collection

Sperm collection is done in controlled environments. Therefore, it is not unlikely to face challenges. You may experience some challenges during the sperm collection process, such as the following:

  • Inability to produce a sample

If you have azoospermia, sperm production in the testicles is a problem. Therefore, producing sperm is difficult. Sometimes, not all seminal fluid is collected, reducing the sperm count. Blockage in the ejaculatory ducts and the absence of the vas deferens also prevent sperm from being ejaculated. As a result, if you are unable to produce enough sperm, producing a sample is also a problem.

  • Low sperm count or poor motility

Damage to sperm affects sperm motility. Antisperm antibodies also prevent sperm movement and fertilisation. Low sperm count also occurs in the body due to hormonal imbalance, genetic conditions, tumours and infections. All of these factors together can often be a challenge during sperm collection.


When to seek medical advice?

If you face challenges with sperm collection, it is advisable to seek medical advice. If you are consistently not being able to produce sperm, consult a healthcare expert to detect any psychological or underlying medical conditions.

Apart from low sperm count, you may also experience discomfort, a lump or swelling in the testicle area. Consult healthcare experts in such cases. The healthcare expert checks you for infections, blockages, and genetic factors to rule out the possibility of underlying conditions.

Opting for sperm collection for IVF is a crucial step for success. The collected sperm is used for fertility testing and finding any medical concerns. The healthcare experts offer personalised care, addressing potential individual needs and care. It is advisable to consult healthcare experts if you face any challenges. Moreover, if you are new to the process, consult healthcare experts on how to prepare and what to do. The experts can guide you through the process and ensure higher success rates for IVF.


FAQs on All You Need To Know About Sperm Collection for IVF

  1. When is the best time to collect sperm?
    Sperm samples are collected after a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 7 days of sexual abstinence. It is advisable to collect the sperm in a clean container.
  2. How long does the sperm sample stay good for?
    Sperm motility decreases after ejaculation, but with proper collection and storage, the sample can remain viable for several hours. To get the best results, it’s important to handle and process the sample promptly.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Veerendra H S, Consultant Urologist & Andrologist

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