ICSI

ICSI

ICSI is one of the most widely recognized and successful treatments for male infertility. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) includes the injection of sperm into eggs got from in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Why Is ICSI Needed?

To be able to fertilize a woman’s egg, the head of the sperm has to attach to the outside layer of the egg. When fused, the sperm penetrates through the external layer to within the egg (cytoplasm), where fertilization happens.

In some cases, the sperm can’t penetrate the external layer, for different kind of reasons. The egg’s external layer might be thick or difficult to penetrate or the sperm ability to swim otherwise called motility may be low. In such cases, a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can possibly be used alongside in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help fertilize the egg. In ICSI, a single sperm is injected into the cytoplasm of the egg with a needle.

ICSI might be prescribed when there is a reason to presume that achieving fertilization conventionally may be difficult.

ICSI helps to overcome fertility issues, for example,

• The male partner has a low sperm count which makes it difficult to perform IUI (intrauterine insemination).
• The sperm may not move in an ordinary way.
• The sperm may experience difficulty connecting to the egg.
• A blockage in the male reproductive tract may prevent sperm from getting out.
• Eggs have not fertilized by conventional IVF.
• In vitro developed eggs are being utilized for fertilization.
• Frozen eggs are being utilized.

How Is ICSI Performed?

There are two different ways that an egg might be treated by IVF: conventional and ICSI. In conventional IVF, at least 50,000 swimming sperm are set alongside the egg in a petri dish. Fertilization happens when one of the sperm goes into the cytoplasm of the egg. In the ICSI procedure, a small needle, called a micropipette, is used to infuse a solitary sperm into the center of the egg. With either conventional IVF or ICSI, when fertilization happens, the developed egg (now called an embryo) develops in a laboratory for 1 to 5 days before it is transferred to the woman’s uterus.

There are essentially five basic steps in the process of ICSI which are as given below:

1. The mature egg is extracted with a specific pipette.
2. An exceptionally sensitive, sharp, and empty needle is utilized to immobilize and get a solitary sperm.
3. The needle is then cautiously embedded through the zona of the egg and into the cytoplasm of the egg.
4. The sperm is injected into the cytoplasm, and the needle is cautiously expelled.
5. The eggs are checked the next day to see if they are fertilizing normally.

When the process of ICSI is finished and fertilization happens, embryo transfer procedure is implemented to physically put the embryo in the female’s uterus.

How Successful Is ICSI?

ICSI itself is extremely effective at helping the sperm and the egg to fertilize – fertilization occurs in around 90% of the cases. Still, similar to IVF, there are numerous different factors influencing an effective pregnancy, including the age of the woman and whether she has any fertility issues herself. Success rates for ICSI thus, in general, can be called the same as IVF.

Aveya IVF has years of experience in fertility treatment and reproductive technologies. Our doctors, fertility specialists and embryologists are capable at handling any case with utmost expertise and patience. You can freely discuss your issues and concerns with our doctors who will guide you in your journey to parenthood.