Simplifying your IVF Journey
ICSI treatment for male infertility is an assisted reproductive technique that directly injects a single healthy sperm into an egg, offering hope to Infertile couples struggling with Male subfertility challenges like low sperm count or poor sperm motility. Embryologists perform ICSI as an additional step of an IVF treatment cycle. Unlike conventional IVF, where clinicians/embryologists combine the sperm and egg in a dish and allow them to fertilize naturally, ICSI involves the direct injection of a single sperm into the cytoplasm of the egg using a specialized micromanipulation technique.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has revolutionized the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), particularly in addressing male infertility and significantly improving the success rates of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Male infertility, which accounts for nearly 40-50% of all infertility cases, often arises from issues such as low sperm count (oligospermia), poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia), abnormal sperm morphology (teratozoospermia), or even complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate (azoospermia). In many such cases, ICSI offers a viable and effective solution, making conception possible where traditional IVF techniques might fail.
The basic science behind Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection lies in bypassing natural barriers to fertilization. In conventional IVF, thousands of motile sperm surround an egg in a petri dish, allowing the healthiest sperm to penetrate the egg naturally. However, when sperm quality or quantity is low, this natural fertilization process becomes challenging. ICSI eliminates this hurdle by directly injecting a single healthy sperm into the cytoplasm of a mature egg using a fine micro-needle. This precise procedure ensures that even sperm with suboptimal motility or morphology can fertilize the egg, thus increasing the chances of successful fertilization. ICSI can help with sperm that have low concentration, poor motility, or abnormal morphology.
ICSI has had a transformative impact on the treatment of male infertility. Especially for men with severe sperm abnormalities, including those requiring surgical sperm retrieval (e.g., from the testes or epididymis). It is also highly effective in cases of unexplained infertility or prior IVF failure due to fertilization issues.
Moreover, ICSI treatment for Male Infertility has contributed to improving overall IVF success rates with fertilization rates as high as 70-80% in ICSI-assisted cycles. As a result, ICSI has become a cornerstone of modern ART, helping countless couples realize their dream of parenthood while addressing the challenges of male infertility.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or in short ICSI , is an advanced laboratory technique used in IVF treatments to aid fertilization. ICSI is performed as an additional step of an IVF treatment cycle. Unlike conventional IVF where the sperm and egg are combined in a dish and left to fertilize naturally, ICSI involves the direct injection of a single sperm into the cytoplasm of the egg using a specialized micromanipulation technique.
ICSI cuts down on the percentage of failed fertilizations by helping sperm bypass many of the natural barriers that they would encounter while fertilizing an egg. It is commonly used to increase the chances of fertilization in an IVF cycle. ICSI assists in overcoming fertility problems in situations like:
Other evidence-based reasons for ICSI include:
In the majority of IVF procedures, 70 to 85% of the eggs injected with ICSI result in fertilized eggs. Some studies have found that in vitro fertilization with ICSI has greater pregnancy success rates than IVF without ICSI. This is due to the female being relatively young and fertile (excellent egg quantity and quality) in many situations requiring ICSI, as compared to some of the women undergoing IVF for other reasons.
In other words, compared to cases of unexplained infertility, the average egg quantity and quality tend to be better in ICSI cases (male factor cases) since it is less likely that there is an issue with the eggs. Reduced egg number and/or quality in certain unexplained situations reduce the chances the successful outcomes of IVF.
Success rates for IVF with ICSI depend on the particulars of each case, the ICSI technique utilised, the expertise of the person executing the process, the overall calibre of the laboratory, the calibre of the eggs, and the embryo transfer abilities of the infertility specialist doctor.
Low ovarian reserve instances, or “egg factor” cases, can require IVF with ICSI. This occurs when eggs are few or of poor “quality,” (or both). The success rates of ICSI fertilisation and pregnancy are often reduced in these situations. This is due to the fact that the quality of the embryos is the primary factor of IVF success.
When it comes to fertility treatments, Traditional IVF and ICSI are two popular options, but the way fertilization happens is where they really differ.
Traditional IVF
In IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), the process starts by collecting eggs from the ovaries. These eggs are then combined with sperm in a lab dish, allowing fertilization to happen naturally—just like it would inside the body. The sperm swims toward the egg and, if all goes well, fertilizes it. IVF is often suggested for women dealing with fertility problems such as blocked fallopian tubes or conditions like endometriosis.
ICSI
ICSI(Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a more advanced approach. Instead of letting the sperm fertilize the egg on its own, a single sperm is carefully chosen and injected directly into the egg with a tiny needle. This method is often the go-to for couples dealing with male infertility issues, like a low sperm count or sperm that don’t move very well.
Which One to Choose?
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The step-by-step process of IVF with ICSI is same as that of a standard IVF cycle, but it differs only in one step which is the fertilization step. While in standard IVF cycles with Traditional IVF fertilization the Eggs and sperms are allowed to fertilize in a petri dish and involves no selection of sperms, in IVF cycle with ICSI, the Sperms are manually selected by a skilled embryologist under a ICSI microscope and injected into the egg that has been immobilized. For your understanding are the are step by step process of IVF with ICSI is detailed below
The woman undergoes ovarian stimulation with fertility medications to produce multiple mature eggs.
The eggs are collected from the ovaries using a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration.
A semen sample is obtained from the male partner or a donor.
The sperm sample is processed in the laboratory to isolate motile and morphologically normal sperm.
A single sperm is selected and carefully injected into the cytoplasm of each mature egg using a fine glass needle.
After injection, the fertilized eggs (embryos) are monitored in the laboratory for growth and development
The resulting embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus, typically after 3-5 days of development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)ICSI is a safe procedure, but like any medical procedure, there are some risks and potential complications. These can include:
It’s important to discuss any concerns or questions you have with your fertility specialist, as they can provide personalized information based on your specific situation.
While ICSI significantly improves the chances of successful fertilization, it does not guarantee pregnancy. Other factors, such as the quality of the embryos, the receptivity of the uterus, and overall reproductive health, also play crucial roles in the success of IVF treatment. Additionally, ICSI success rates by age can vary, with younger patients generally experiencing higher success rates.
ICSI does involve the manipulation and selection of individual sperm, which raises some ethical concerns. However, it has been widely used for several years with successful outcomes. Informed Consent of couples in needed before the procedure. It is essential for couples to have a thorough understanding of the ICSI procedure, including its benefits, risks, and limitations. Informed consent ensures that couples are making decisions based on accurate information and have the opportunity to ask questions.
The complications of ICSI are the same as those for in-vitro fertilization. Being a superovulation with hormone treatment, the procedure can cause:
Miscarriage (pregnancy loss)
The cost of IVF and ICSI can differ based on the clinic and location. Since ICSI is commonly used for male infertility, it tends to be priced higher than standard IVF due to the extra procedure. For accurate pricing tailored to your needs, it’s recommended to reach out to your clinic directly.
ICSI success rate usually falls between 40% and 50%, depending on factors such as age, egg quality, and sperm health. Success rates may vary based on the clinic and individual conditions.
The ICSI process includes stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs, injecting sperm, culturing embryos, and finally transferring the embryo. This entire procedure usually takes around 4-6 weeks, with each stage carefully monitored to maximize the chances of success.
