Role of ICSI in the Success of IVF
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the procedure of injecting a single sperm into an egg to enable fertilization when the male partner has low sperm production or motility. The process is administered when the male fertility issue cannot be addressed surgically. Or in cases where basic in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment has been unsuccessful earlier. ICSI is effective and necessary in cases when sperm is surgically removed from the testiRole of ICSI in the Success of IVF
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the procedure of injecting a single sperm into an egg to enable fertilization when the male partner has low sperm production or motility. The process is administered when the male fertility issue cannot be addressed surgically. Or in cases where basic in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment has been unsuccessful earlier. ICSI is effective and necessary in cases when sperm is surgically removed from the testicles by the procedures known as MESA and TESA.
Ever since its introduction in the early 1990s, ICSI has been boon for numerous childless couples who have conceived with its use.
ICSI and IVF
ICSI is combined with IVF treatment to accelerate the success of the procedure. In the first stage, the intended mother (female partner) is given fertility stimulating medications to produce a number of mature eggs. These eggs are harvested in a minor surgical procedure in incubators in the laboratory.
On the same day of the egg retrieval, the male sperm samples are collected. In many cases, sperms are collected prior to the procedure and are frozen until required. The embryologist analyzes the sperm sample and isolates the strongest and best swimming (motile) sperm and stores it to be used for insemination. Around 50,000 sperm are added to each egg in a petri dish as the sperm penetrate the eggs “naturally” in standard (non-ICSI) IVF. If the sperm is not able to fertilize the egg naturally, the embryologist employs ICSI to inject the sperm directly into the egg. When a sperm sample is considered ‘borderline,’ it is possible that some eggs may be injected, whereas, others are allowed to fertilize naturally in the petri dish. To fertilize eggs through ICSI, the embryologist first removes follicle cells present around each egg with an enzyme solution to make sure that the egg is mature enough to be injected.
How do I know whether I need ICSI?
The “zona pellucida”, which is the thick, hard shell around the egg, often makes it difficult for sperm to penetrate even under the best of circumstances. In such situations, sperm needs to be really strong swimmers and properly shaped to accomplish this task. The male partner has to go through sperm analysis to assess parameters like:
- Count
- Motility (movement)
- Morphology (shape)
ICSI is advised after the reports are generated. ICSI is necessary and fruitful in males who have had their sperm recovered surgically through MESA, TESA or any other procedures.
ICSI is highly recommended and required during fertilizing previously frozen (or vitrified) eggs. Frozen or vitrified eggs that are subsequently thawed will have a hardening of the zona. This happens due to the exposure to cryoprotectants (like “anti-freeze”) and sub-zero temperatures. ICSI becomes indispensable in such cases or else, the fertilization rates of these eggs will be very low or sometimes even none at all.
ICSI is also recommended in cases of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). During the time embryo cells are removed to be analyzed for the presence or absence of mutated DNA in couples who are carriers for the genetic diseases Cystic Fibrosis), it is very important to be alert that there is no contamination of the embryo biopsy specimen with extraneous sperm. Hence, it is possible to expose the egg and the subsequent embryo to only one sperm keeps other sperm DNA out of the picture.
ICSI Benefits
ICSI has enabled numerous couples to achieve fertility and gain a healthy pregnancy. It has made it possible for couples to be pregnant in adverse fertility issues where it otherwise might have been impossible. The rate of fertilization with ICSI is high even in those couples who have had failed IVF without ICSI before.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection offers a fair chance to every infertile couple to have a baby, even when suffering from severe male infertility issues.
ICSI helps in getting pregnant even if you are dealing with one or more of the following conditions:
- Low sperm count
- Poor sperm motility (movement) or morphology (shape)
- Physical blockage
- Failed IVF program
- The desire for pregnancy post-vasectomy
ICSI Risks
- Damage to embryos
- Becoming pregnant with multiples
- Gestational diabetes
- Low amniotic fluid levels
- Bed rest
- High blood pressure
- Cesarean section or premature labor
cles by the procedures known as MESA and TESA.
Ever since its introduction in the early 1990s, ICSI has been boon for numerous childless couples who have conceived with its use.
ICSI and IVF
ICSI is combined with IVF treatment to accelerate the success of the procedure. In the first stage, the intended mother (female partner) is given fertility stimulating medications to produce a number of mature eggs. These eggs are harvested in a minor surgical procedure in incubators in the laboratory.
On the same day of the egg retrieval, the male sperm samples are collected. In many cases, sperms are collected prior to the procedure and are frozen until required. The embryologist analyzes the sperm sample and isolates the strongest and best swimming (motile) sperm and stores it to be used for insemination. Around 50,000 sperm are added to each egg in a petri dish as the sperm penetrate the eggs “naturally” in standard (non-ICSI) IVF. If the sperm is not able to fertilize the egg naturally, the embryologist employs ICSI to inject the sperm directly into the egg. When a sperm sample is considered ‘borderline,’ it is possible that some eggs may be injected, whereas, others are allowed to fertilize naturally in the petri dish. To fertilize eggs through ICSI, the embryologist first removes follicle cells present around each egg with an enzyme solution to make sure that the egg is mature enough to be injected.
How do I know whether I need ICSI?
The “zona pellucida”, which is the thick, hard shell around the egg, often makes it difficult for sperm to penetrate even under the best of circumstances. In such situations, sperm needs to be really strong swimmers and properly shaped to accomplish this task. The male partner has to go through sperm analysis to assess parameters like:
- Count
- Motility (movement)
- Morphology (shape)
ICSI is advised after the reports are generated. ICSI is necessary and fruitful in males who have had their sperm recovered surgically through MESA, TESA or any other procedures.
ICSI is highly recommended and required during fertilizing previously frozen (or vitrified) eggs. Frozen or vitrified eggs that are subsequently thawed will have a hardening of the zona. This happens due to the exposure to cryoprotectants (like “anti-freeze”) and sub-zero temperatures. ICSI becomes indispensable in such cases or else, the fertilization rates of these eggs will be very low or sometimes even none at all.
ICSI is also recommended in cases of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). During the time embryo cells are removed to be analyzed for the presence or absence of mutated DNA in couples who are carriers for the genetic diseases Cystic Fibrosis), it is very important to be alert that there is no contamination of the embryo biopsy specimen with extraneous sperm. Hence, it is possible to expose the egg and the subsequent embryo to only one sperm keeps other sperm DNA out of the picture.
ICSI Benefits
ICSI has enabled numerous couples to achieve fertility and gain a healthy pregnancy. It has made it possible for couples to be pregnant in adverse fertility issues where it otherwise might have been impossible. The rate of fertilization with ICSI is high even in those couples who have had failed IVF without ICSI before.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection offers a fair chance to every infertile couple to have a baby, even when suffering from severe male infertility issues.
ICSI helps in getting pregnant even if you are dealing with one or more of the following conditions:
- Low sperm count
- Poor sperm motility (movement) or morphology (shape)
- Physical blockage
- Failed IVF program
- The desire for pregnancy post-vasectomy
ICSI Risks
- Damage to embryos
- Becoming pregnant with multiples
- Gestational diabetes
- Low amniotic fluid levels
- Bed rest
- High blood pressure
- Cesarean section or premature labor
