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What Is ICSI Treatment & When Is It Recommended?
The ICSI treatment process was introduced in the year 1992 to improve fertilisation in couples. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, a step ahead in the IVF treatment technique, has revolutionised male infertility in recent years.
It gives men with poor-quality of sperm, the chance of fathering their children. In natural conception, many millions of sperm cells in each ejaculation are necessary for fertilisation, while in ICSI just one may be enough.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat Is the ICSI Procedure?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (full form of ICSI), is a part of the In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedure in which the eggs and sperm are fertilized after injecting sperm in the cytoplasm of a mature egg. It is a procedure needed for couples suffering from severe male factor infertility.
How Does ICSI Work?
The menstrual cycle of a fertile woman lasts about a month. During this time and under the influence of the body’s natural hormones, the follicles within the ovaries containing an egg continue to grow.
At a point midway through the period cycle in women, this egg is released from the ovary, and ovulation occurs. Ovulation, however, is also regulated by hormones.
- The eggs, which from this moment on, are ready for fertilisation, pass into the fallopian tubes, to await the arrival of fertile sperm.
- The causes of unwanted childlessness are numerous, but so are the means of treating them.
- One such powerful treatment method is ICSI treatment. It is a part of IVF treatment.
- Women undergoing the treatment are given special reproductive hormones to encourage several eggs to develop in the ovaries.
- The eggs are then retrieved for the treatment through ICSI procedure.
- Fertilisation in ICSI is done by injecting an individual sperm cell into each of the collected eggs.
- For this purpose, each egg is placed under a very powerful microscope, and a singular sperm cell is injected directly into it using a fine needle.
- Following injections and after about 24 hours in the incubator, most of the eggs will start showing signs of fertilisation.
- The egg cells divide and multiply to form an embryo. After 2-3 days a healthy embryo develops. It is then transferred.
- to the uterus using a thin flexible needle, where it is left to implant and form a pregnancy.
ICSI Procedure Step-By-Step
The IVF ICSI step-by-step process is performed when there are cases of severe male factor infertility. ICSI procedure involves the following:
Stimulation:
It is the first step towards the process, of ICSI stimulation, in which medications are injected into the woman undergoing the treatment. Stimulation medications are hormones that allow follicles to mature.
Retrieval of Eggs and Sperm:
Once the stimulation is done, eggs are retrieved. Further, the sperms are also collected. After the collection of sperm, the motile sperm are separated from the immotile ones and washed.
Insemination:
- Once the eggs and sperm are retrieved, fertilisation is done in a culture dish by injecting each mature egg with a single sperm, under the observation of a powerful microscope.
- The sperms which are morphologically normal and exhibit a forward progression are selected for insemination.
- This is one of the ICSI steps that plays a great role in improving fertilisation rates and increasing pregnancy chances.
Blastocyst Culture:
- The inseminated eggs are then placed in an incubator.
- The incubator provides an optimum environment for the eggs to multiply and form embryos.
- After about 24 hours, the eggs start showing signs of fertilisation. It takes almost 3-5 days for the eggs to develop into a healthy embryo.
Embryo Transfer:
After the culturing, the embryos are transferred to the uterus to implant and impregnate the woman. A thin, flexible needle is used to transfer the embryos to the uterus.
When Is ICSI Recommended?
The procedure of ICSI is usually recommended to couples in the following cases:
- If a man has a low sperm count and is unable to conceive due to it after having unprotected intercourse for more than 12 months.
- Men with abnormally shaped sperm (poor sperm morphology) or with less or no movement of sperm at all (poor sperm motility) should opt for it.
- In cases of men who underwent vasectomy, or those with blocked epididymis (a duct that allows the sperm to pass from the testis and ejaculate)
- Due to any disease, injury or genetic condition, the sperm needs to be retrieved surgically from the testicles, TESE – ICSI (Testicular Sperm Extraction – ICSI) is a better option to help them father their babies.
- It is also recommended for those men using frozen sperm which are not of good quality.
- According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.
- While effective for overcoming infertility in couples with abnormal semen parameters, is also frequently utilised in combination with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for other infertility issues in the presence of normal semen parameters as well.
- The ICSI process helps improve fertilisation rates in case of multiple IVF Failures.
- It may also benefit patients undergoing IVF with PGT, eggs matured in labs, and those with previously frozen eggs.
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Book an AppointmentHow Successful Is ICSI?
Talking about Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Treatments, people usually consider In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Treatment as the only available quality treatment option.
Although, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation might be alternatives Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has been an advanced form of treatment since around 1992 for men suffering from infertility.
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), ICSI Treatment has increased the chances of fertilization rate.
Are ICSI Babies Normal?
- According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, if a woman even conceives naturally, there is a 1.5% to 3% chance of risk associated with her, and so is with ICSI Treatment.
- It has nothing to do with the treatment procedure. The root of the matter is the infertility issue itself.
- Researchers say that birth defects are mostly correctible and babies develop into normal and healthy ones.
Conclusion
- About half of the couples have trouble conceiving, the cause of infertility is due to male factors.
- ICSI treatment is considered to be the most appropriate, common, and successful among all other ART procedures.
- Moreover, with the advancement of technology and modern labs, the process of ICSI treatment has helped overcome infertility issues for both men and women.
- Today various fertility treatment clinics have adopted this treatment method to enhance their success rates.
- One of the leading European fertility chains, Medicover Fertility, has successfully provided affordable ICSI treatment to many couples facing infertility and helped them become parents.
Citations
Effect of oocyte quality on blastocyst development after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a sheep modelFrequently Asked Questions
The basic difference between ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) is the difference in the way they fertilise the eggs. In the case of ICSI, one sperm is injected in the cytoplasm of a mature egg, whereas in case of IVF, the egg and sperm are left in a petri dish to fertilise.
The Cost Of The Treatment Is Approximately Around 2 Lakhs To 2.5 Lakhs On An Average.
ICSI Is Very Successful in helping The Sperm and Egg to Fertilise. However, Just as IVF, There are Other factors as well that affects a successful pregnancy after the Treatment like age, etc
It Depends. Studies and Researches Suggest That ICSI Procedure is as effective As IVF When The Sperm Is Injected in the Egg Without Any Male Factor Infertility. However, In The Case Of Male Factor Infertility, it is Considered to be a better solution than normal IVF Procedure.
ICSI Has Increased Fertilization Rates. Although, The Chances Of Having Twin Babies With ICSI Is Comparatively Low.
According to studies, women who undergo IVF or ICSI treatments generally do not have an increased risk of premature birth. In 92% to 95% of cases, there is no premature delivery observed.
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