Ultrasound Monitorig
for Your IVF Cycle
For IVF monitoring cycles that are out-of-state of your location
Starting your cycle
Starting an IVF cycle is stressful enough, doing it with an out-of-state provider just increases that stress. That is why we have developed an out-of state monitoring program to help women that need ultrasound monitoring without having to travel to their provider. We follow your physicians instructions and with be able to accommodate your schedule. Most all cycles, whether retrievals or transfers, will need 2-3 ultrasounds during that cycle. All reports can be faxed or emailed to your physician within 2-3 hours after the exam is finished.
To schedule an appointment
Please Call True Health Acupuncture at 702-475-0870
You can also book online on the True Health Acupuncture website.
1481 W Warm Spring Rd #129
Henderson, Nevada 89014
Testimonials
My name is Michelle Aukerman. And I just have to say that Joyce at True Health Acupuncture is probably the best ultrasound technician I have ever had in my life and I’ve been through several. She’s very personal and talks through everything and if something goes wrong, she says OK how do we make this right? What’s the next step we need to take? You don’t hear that from any other ultrasound tech, they're so jaded. The comfort environment at True Health Acupuncture is unmatchable. It does not feel like a doctor's office and everybody is so warm but when it comes to Joyce, she is completely unmatched. It’s like having your own mother right there with you. I highly highly recommend her.
Thank you, the Aukerman’s
Michelle A.
This is the second pregnancy that I came to Joyce for my outside monitoring. I have been very nervous about the whole process, but Joyce guided me through each and every ultrasound. Although the monitoring went smoothly, upon achieving pregnancy I developed some bleeding. Of course, I panicked. Joyce explained everything that was going on with my bleeding and helped me through this anxious time. I don’t know what I would have done without Joyce’s calm demeanor. And the added bonus is having acupuncture treatment right there at True Health Acupuncture, the office Joyce works out of. I will always be truly thankful for the amazing experience that I received from both Joyce and True Health to be a part of my fertility journey.
Sara P.
Joyce is an exceptional individual who made a significant impact during my IVF journey. I had the privilege of meeting her when I needed support, and she was able to perform ultrasounds when our IVF Dr was unable to accommodate us. Her ability to confirm our twin pregnancy was incredibly reassuring. Joyce took the time to explain everything she was observing, which not only made the experience more memorable but also helped alleviate my anxiety. Her compassionate approach truly made a difference in my experience.
Nicole B
🧬 How Sperm is Made — And Why Motility & Shape Matter
🏗️ Where It Starts: The Testes (Testicles)
Sperm production begins in the seminiferous tubules — tiny coiled structures located inside each testicle. These tubules house spermatogonia, the immature sperm stem cells.
Under the influence of two key hormones:
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
LH (Luteinizing Hormone) — which stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone
…spermatogonia begin the process of spermatogenesis.
🔄 Step-by-Step: How Sperm is Created
Spermatogonia (stem cells) divide and mature into:
Primary spermatocytes, which undergo meiosis (chromosome reduction).
These become secondary spermatocytes, then...
Spermatids — immature sperm cells with half the genetic material.
Finally, spermatids transform into spermatozoa — complete with a head, midpiece, and tail (flagellum).
🕒 This process takes about 72–76 days.
🧪 The Journey Continues: Epididymis & Vas Deferens
Once formed, sperm move into the epididymis, a long coiled tube on the back of the testicle, where they:
Mature
Gain motility
Are stored for ejaculation
When ejaculation occurs, sperm travel through the vas deferens, mix with seminal fluid from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland, and exit via the urethra.
📊 How Sperm Is Evaluated: Motility, Morphology, and More
In fertility clinics, sperm is examined through a semen analysis, which looks at:
1. Sperm Count
Normal: >15 million/mL
Low: <15 million/mL (oligospermia)
2. Motility (How they swim)
Progressive motility: sperm swim in a straight or large circular path — these are the most desirable
Non-progressive motility: sperm wiggle but don’t move forward
Immotile: sperm don’t move at all
A normal semen sample should have 40–50% motile sperm, with at least 32% progressive.
3. Morphology (Shape and structure)
Evaluated using Kruger strict criteria:
Ideal shape: oval head, intact acrosome, midpiece, and tail
Abnormal morphology can include double heads, short tails, or large vacuoles
A “normal” result may have as little as 4% normal forms — that’s considered good enough for fertilization in most cases.
4. Volume and pH
Normal volume: 1.5–5 mL per ejaculation
Normal pH: 7.2–8.0
Low volume or acidic pH may suggest blockages or gland dysfunction
🧠 Why This Matters in IVF
Even men with low count or abnormal shape can still father children with help from modern technology. Procedures like ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) allow embryologists to select a single sperm — ideally one that swims well and looks normal — and inject it directly into an egg.
But knowing the quality ahead of time can help tailor treatments and improve success rates.
💡 Did You Know?
Sperm are one of the few cells that don’t regenerate quickly after damage.
Antioxidants like zinc, CoQ10, and vitamin C have been shown to improve sperm parameters in some men.
