Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) with IVF
Today, patients diagnosed with male factor infertility have many advanced diagnostic and reproductive technologies available that can help them achieve their goal of becoming parents, one of which is Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
The ICSI Process
During ICSI, a single sperm cell is injected directly into an egg to assist fertilization. The actual process of injecting a single sperm into an egg is carried out by the embryologist in the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) laboratory. A sterile, glass, holding pipette secures the egg, while a needle pierces the egg membrane and injects the sperm cell.
Once the holding pipette secures the egg and the sperm cell has been drawn into the injection needle, it takes less than 45 seconds to break the membrane and inject the sperm directly into the center of the egg.
Once the micro-injection pipette is withdrawn, the egg cytoplasm will close and assume its original shape within 60 seconds. If successful, fertilization will occur and the transfer of the resulting embryo(s) into the female patient can occur within 5 to 6 days later.
ICSI Success Rates
Based on the striking, successful results of this procedure, IVFMD considers ICSI one of, if not the most effective, treatment options for aspiring parents facing male factor infertility. In fact, ICSI is so remarkable that most male-factor treatments have been abandoned in favor of it.
The future for the ICSI process is even more promising. Researchers expect that the current fertilization rates of 85% in non-severe cases will continue to improve. As stated previously, sperm selection for the ICSI process focuses on available motile sperm. In severe cases in which motile sperm is not available, we inject non-motile sperm in testicular epididymal sperm extraction (TESE) and aspiration (TESA) cases in hopes of fertilization.
ICSI FAQs
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In any field of medical research, success is often measured in small degrees, resulting in only those who work in laboratories to see the impact. Occasionally, a discovery comes along that is so outstanding it revolutionizes medical treatments. Such is the case with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). A Belgian physician pioneered the ICSI process in 1991 and first reported his incredible successes at the annual American Fertility Society (now known as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine) scientific conference.
When a single sperm was injected directly into an egg, it virtually eliminated the limitations found with previous male factor fertility treatments, not only addressing the issues of poor sperm motility and low count, but also showing success with sperm considered less than ideal for conventional IVF procedures. Today, ICSI has been successfully used to treat men with fresh sperm collected directly from the testis and epididymis, as well as those whose sperm was previously cryopreserved.
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There are many physical steps involved in the process of conceiving a child, and a variety of problems can prevent the sperm from making its journey to fertilize the egg. Sometimes not enough sperm is produced, the sperm can’t swim properly, or the sperm can’t penetrate the egg. Other factors that can affect a man’s fertility include infection, hormone imbalances, injury, varicoceles, and psychological stress.
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In most cases, sperm can be retrieved from the male reproductive tract and used for fertilization.
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In most cases of failed vasectomy reversal procedures, sperm can still be retrieved from the male reproductive tract and used for fertilization.
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Testicular epididymal sperm extraction (TESE) and aspiration (TESA) are procedures performed by a urologist during which minute pieces of tissue are removed from the anesthetized testes. Once the tissue sample arrives at the laboratory, the tissue is minced and observed under the microscope. If sperm are present, they can be used to fertilize eggs through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) to produce embryos. These procedures bring hope to men with vasectomies, failed vasectomy reversals, congenital absence of the vas deferens, obstruction of the epididymis, and other conditions.