We had the same zero count situation but went to PIVET. It's a hard space to be in, isn't it? And lots of questions etc. My partner needed to have blood tests to determine his exact situation (hormone levels) and the result was they discovered he has the sperm but a blockage as well. If this is your situation, like us, you'll need to have the sperm retrieved as you've researched, and then you'll do IVF. If they can get to the sperm quite easily they just need to do a fine needle aspiration (I think that's what it's called). In our case it wasn't accessible that way so they did a biopsy. They'll do the least invassive procedure they can. It won't be any fun for your partner, needless to say, but it's so worth it all. And you'll have your turn of all sorts of procedures!!! Anyway, that is basically best case scenario. There are apparently some people who actually don't produce sperm at all. That's what the blood tests etc help to clarify. I wish you all the best with your endeavours to have a baby. Reading your post brought back alot of memories of our own situation a few years ago. Now we are blessed with a 19 month old daughter. I hope it all works out for you.