Exploring Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Treatment

Exploring Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Treatment

Exploring Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Treatment

ICSI Treatment

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a highly specialized fertility treatment that helps individuals and couples overcome various male factor infertility issues.

 

Who should consider ICSI?
  Men with Low Sperm count or Poor Sperm quality.
  Men suffering from Azoospermia
  Whose sperm is unable to attach to the egg.
  Genetic Disorders or Chromosomal Abnormalities
   Ejaculation Issues
  Sperm Retrieval Challenges
  Frozen Sperm Samples
  Previous Failed IVF Attempts  

 

 

How is ICSI done?

  • Ovarian Stimulation: Similar to in vitro fertilization (IVF), the first step in ICSI involves ovarian stimulation. The woman receives hormonal medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. This is monitored through ultrasound scans and hormone level measurements.

  • Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs reach the desired size and maturity, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval. This procedure is performed under sedation or anesthesia and involves using a thin needle to aspirate the eggs from the follicles in the ovaries.

  • Semen Sample Collection: On the day of the egg retrieval, the male partner provides a fresh semen sample. In cases where there are difficulties in obtaining a fresh sample or the sperm quality is compromised, previously frozen sperm samples may be used.

  • Sperm Preparation: In the laboratory, the semen sample undergoes a process called sperm preparation. This involves isolating the healthiest and most motile sperm from the semen sample. The sperm are washed and prepared to ensure optimal conditions for fertilization.

  • Microinjection: Using a high-powered microscope and specialized micromanipulation tools, a single sperm is selected and injected directly into each mature egg. This microinjection is performed by an embryologist who carefully immobilizes the egg and inserts the sperm through the zona pellucida (outer protective layer) and into the egg's cytoplasm.

  • Embryo Development: Following the microinjection, the fertilized eggs (now embryos) are cultured in the laboratory for several days. The embryos are closely monitored for proper development, and their progression is assessed to determine the most viable and healthy embryos for transfer.

  • Embryo Transfer: Once the embryos have reached a specific stage of development, typically around three to five days after fertilization, the selected embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus. This is a similar procedure to that of IVF, involving the insertion of a thin catheter through the cervix to deposit the embryos into the uterine cavity.

  • Embryo Freezing (Cryopreservation): Any remaining viable embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use. These frozen embryos can be stored for an extended period and thawed for transfer in subsequent cycles, eliminating the need for repeated ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval.

Benefits of ICSI

  Overcoming Male Infertility
  Improving Fertilization Rates
  Addressing Sperm-related Challenges
  Genetic Screening and Diagnosis
  Fertility Preservation Options
  Overcoming Low Sperm Count
  Individualized Treatment for Male Factor Infertility
  Enhanced Precision in Fertilization
  Minimizing Fertilization Failure


Side Effects and Risks:

While In vitro fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are generally safe and well-tolerated fertility treatments, there are a few possible side effects to be aware of. It's important to remember that not everyone experiences these side effects.

  1. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) - Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea.
  2. ICSI increases the likelihood of multiple pregnancies.
  3. Chances of Genetic Disorders.
  4. Surgical Risks associated with anesthesia, bleeding, or infection.

Throughout the ICSI process, our team of skilled fertility specialists and embryologists closely monitor and manage the procedure to maximize the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. The steps involved in ICSI are highly precise and require specialized expertise to ensure the best possible outcomes for individuals and couples undergoing this treatment.

Our average success rate is 60%(depending on age, ovarian reserve, sperm parameters, and general medical conditions). Our utmost commitment at Fertilica is to deliver personalized and compassionate care to assist our patients in fulfilling their aspirations of starting or growing their families.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. HOW IS ICSI DIFFERENT FROM IVF?

IVF involves fertilizing eggs with sperm in a lab dish. ICSI is a specific technique used within IVF process to inject a single sperm into an egg.

2. WILL ALL MY EGGS BE SUBJECTED TO ICSI?

Initially after the eggs are retrieved out from the ovaries, they are examined under the microscope to separate good mature oocytes(eggs) from immature ones. Usually mature oocytes are subjected to ICSI.

3. ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN ICSI-EMBRYOS AND NON-ICSI EMBRYOS?

The quality of embryos generated is similar in both procedures, though the number of eggs fertilised will be more in ICSI group.

4. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ICSI?

ICSI carries some advantages over IVF like increased fertilization rates, Single sperm selection, frozen sperm.

5. WHAT IS THE COST OF ICSI CYCLE?

The cost of IVF-ICSI procedure per se is around 1lakh INR. It may vary slightly based on according to individual medical conditions and needs. This excludes the medication charges, blood tests, embryo freezing and maintenance charges.