It is kind of bizarre, isn't it? Thanks to the wonders of science, doctors can now inject a tiny sperm into your egg during a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI. This procedure may increase your chances of in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy success.
The ICSI process explained
The intracytoplasmic sperm injection process takes place during IVF. It is often performed for couples that are dealing with male factor infertility and for those who have not had success with IVF in the past.
There are five main steps to the ICSI procedure:
- A sperm sample is taken from your partner's semen or surgically extracted from his testes or epididymis.
- Your eggs are surgically extracted from your ovaries.
- Using a tiny hollow needle, one sperm is carefully injected into an egg.
- After injection, the fertilized egg is observed for growth and development.
- Once normal growth is observed, the embryo will be implanted into your uterus where it has a chance to implant and grow.
Some fertility clinics choose to use fresh sperm that have just been extracted, while others prefer to do the ICSI procedure with frozen sperm. There appears to be no difference in pregnancy rates between those who use fresh or frozen sperm during the ICSI process.
How ICSI works
So how do they spot those very tiny sperm for injection into your egg? The ICSI procedure is performed by using a technique called micromanipulation. Micromanipulation uses a special microscope, along with very small surgical tools, to pick up and handle one single sperm, injecting it directly into an egg.
Read more about micromanipulation and ICSI
ICSI and male infertility
The ICSI procedure can help you achieve IVF pregnancy success even when male infertility problems are an issue. If your male partner has experienced any of the following problems, talk to your doctor about ICSI:
- Absence of sperm in the semen, possibly caused by a blockage
- Low sperm count, poor sperm quality and/or abnormal sperm shape and movement
- Sperm unable to penetrate through the outer layer of your egg or production of antisperm antibodies
Have you tried IVF without success? If so, ask your doctor about ICSI and IVF success rates.
ICSI success rates
If your partner has a blockage or low sperm count you have about a 30 percent chance of getting pregnant with each cycle of IVF with ICSI. This success rate is similar to couples that use IVF without ICSI. If you are older than 37, your chances of ICSI pregnancy success may be lower.
ICSI side effects
Unfortunately problems can occur during ICSI procedures. Here are some issues that may arise:
- Your eggs may become damaged.
- The embryo might fail to grow after the fertilization.
- Like many assisted reproductive technology fertility treatments, ICSI can be quite expensive and IVF cost may be a concern.
- Side effects can occur during the IVF process.
- Some people speculate that the ICSI process might lead to higher rates of genetic defects compared to other fertility treatments. But, the birth defects most commonly associated with ICSI are usually able to be fixed with surgery.
Learn more about side effects of the ICSI procedure.
ICSI and vasectomy reversal
If your partner has had a vasectomy, the ICSI procedure may help you conceive. This may be especially helpful if your partner tried to have a vasectomy reversal that was unsuccessful. During a vasectomy reversal procedure, the surgeon can remove your partner's sperm during the operation. These sperm will be frozen for potential later use with IVF and ICSI in case you try to get pregnant after vasectomy reversal.
ICSI is a major advance
It is quite amazing that doctors and scientists have made such amazing breakthroughs with assisted reproductive technology fertility treatments. It is fascinating that we now have the ability to fertilize an egg with just one sperm, helping many infertile couples get pregnant.
Sources: American Pregnancy Association “Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: ICSI” American Society of Reproductive Medicine “The management of infertility due to obstructive azoospermia” “Vasectomy Reversal” “Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)” American Urological Association, Inc. “Report on Management of Obstructive Azoospermia” “Getting Help for Obstructive Azoospermia”
