Examinations at the Center for Reproductive Assistance, Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City (IVF Tam Anh TP HCM), showed that John, Ly's husband, suffered from grade 2 and grade 3 varicocele on each side. His sperm density was only 0,5 million/mL, about 20 times lower than normal, with a motility rate of just 6%. Ly was diagnosed with adenomyosis, a condition that can hinder embryo implantation and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Doctor Nguyen Cong Danh, from the Andrology Unit at IVF Tam Anh TP HCM, stated that varicocele is a common cause of male infertility. This condition increases testicular temperature, affecting spermatogenesis, sperm quality, and testosterone production. In many cases, surgery can improve sperm quality after 3-6 months.
According to Specialist Doctor Level I Dinh Thi Ngoc Ngan, if John underwent surgery first, the couple would have to delay their plans to have a child. Meanwhile, Ly had a condition affecting her ability to conceive. Therefore, the medical team prioritized in vitro fertilization (IVF).
 |
Embryologists process and select healthy sperm for John. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital |
Most of John's sperm had DNA fragmentation. Embryologists washed and observed the sperm under a microscope magnified 400 times, selecting two samples of the best quality for cryopreservation to be used in fertilization.
Ly responded poorly to ovarian stimulation medication, requiring two cycles of egg retrieval to obtain a sufficient number for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to create embryos. Embryologists cultured the embryos in a time-lapse system with integrated artificial intelligence (AI), continuously monitoring each cell division to select embryos with the highest implantation potential. As a result, the couple obtained 6 grade 2 day 5 embryos.
Doctor Ngan treated Ly's adenomyosis for four weeks, followed by embryo transfer. Ly conceived on her first embryo transfer. At 40 weeks of gestation, she gave birth to a baby girl weighing 3,4 kg. The couple cryopreserved the remaining embryos to have more children in the future.
John is expected to return to the hospital soon for surgery to treat his varicocele.
 |
Ly and her husband welcomed their daughter in late July at Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nguyet Nhi |
According to Doctor Ngan, couples who have had regular unprotected intercourse for one year without conceiving should undergo reproductive health examinations to identify the cause. For women aged 35 and older, this timeframe is shortened to six months, as fertility declines with age. Early examination helps detect abnormalities in both partners simultaneously, avoiding prolonged waiting periods that reduce the chances of having a child.
At IVF Tam Anh, couples receive parallel assessment and treatment to fully identify the causes of infertility, allowing for personalized treatment protocols that optimize their chances of pregnancy.
Nguyet Nhi
* Character names have been changed
