MAP (MicroTESE Avoidance Program) Patient Handout

April 16, 2024

What is MAP?

MAP stands for MicroTESE Avoidance Program. The goal is to retrieve sperm without surgical intervention. A MAP consists of freezing up to 3 samples - only samples containing sperm will be frozen). 

Sperm Freezing is a process to preserve your sperm for future use. 

Once you produce a sample, our Andrology team will perform a sperm test called Semen Analysis to assess the volume, concentration, motility, morphology and PH of your sperm. Following this, the sample is then prepared to be frozen on site in cryopreservation tanks. 

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What are the costs?

It is $650 to freeze up to 3 samples and covers your first year of storage. 

Following that, there is a yearly storage fee of the frozen samples at $900.

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What do I need to do before the MAP?

The male partner must have an up to date infectious diseases screen (valid for 6 months) on file. The Care Navigator will inform you if blood work needs to be updated. This includes the following:

  • Hepatitis BsAg
  • Hepatitis C marker
  • Syphilis
  • HIV
  • HTLV 1/2 Antibody
  • HIV 1/2 Antibody
  • Hep B Antibody
  • Hep C Antibody
  • CMV Total (IgG and IgM)
  • West Nile Virus
  • Chlamydia (NAT)
  • Gonorrhoeae (NAT)

Signed Consent: The male patient must sign the Sperm Freezing Consent. It will be sent to you in a separate email via DocuSign. 

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How do I book for a MAP?

  • Once your physician orders the MAP testing, you will be able to book for it through your Pollin App. 
  • Select the Sperm Freezing milestone to book your first sperm freezing appointment. You will be prompted to pay prior to booking your appointment. 
  • If ordered by your physician, the next two freezing appointments can be booked by your Care Navigator. 
  • Semen Sample Collection Instructions: please review below for instructions on acceptable specimen criteria.

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***ALL SEMEN SAMPLES FOR SPERM FREEZING MUST BE COLLECTED ON-SITE  AT POLLIN FERTILITY CLINIC***‍

  1. You must book an appointment through your Patient App for your semen sample collection appointment at the clinic. If there is no appointment in place, we will not accept your sample.
    Semen sample drop off appointments are available: Monday to Friday between 10:30 to 11:30 am and from 1:30 to 2 pm only. 
  2. Semen samples will NOT be accepted if dropped off by your female partner. 
  3. Please bring a government issued PHOTO ID, such as: Health card, Passport, or Driver’s License. This will be used to verify your identity. 
  4. Please note the following important instructions and guidelines for semen collection:  The sample should be collected after a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 7-10 days of sexual abstinence.  
  5. Upon arrival at your appointment, the Andrologist will meet with you to verify your ID. You will be brought to a semen collection room and be given a container to collect your sample. The specimen must be collected by masturbation directly into the container. Avoid use of lubricants as they are toxic to sperm. It is important to collect an entire specimen and it is critical that you notify the lab if any of the semen was lost.  
  6. Once your test results are in, your physician will review and the results will be shared with you once it is ready.

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