What is a man's role in IVF?

For normal men oftentimes they will be called upon to provide a semen sample as the couple is going through in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination. And so a man produces a semen sample by masturbation and it’s important for the man to be aware that he should abstain from sexual activity, abstain from ejaculation, for 2-3 days prior to producing that semen sample. That semen sample, once it’s collected, is then handed off to the laboratory staff that process the sample, and in most instances, that sample will be adequate for use in intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization.

About twenty percent of the time, there is also a male factor issue present. And the good news is that male reproductive health specialists can also help these men to optimize their reproductive potential.