Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

The goal of ICSI is to transfer a single sperm cell into an egg using a special syringe called a micropipette. This procedure is broken down into the following steps:

1. The treatment begins with ovarian induction which encourages the development of mature eggs.
2. Transvaginal ultrasound aspiration is performed to harvest the eggs. This is a 20 minute, minimally invasive procedure that only needs mild sedation.
3. If there is a male infertility issue due to low sperm motility, a semen sample is collected. This can either be via ejaculation or a minimally invasive surgical sperm retrieval. The surgical option is only considered in circumstances where ejaculation is not possible or if no sperm are present in the ejaculate fluid due to an obstruction or vasectomy.
4. The semen sample is placed in a centrifuge. This is done to isolate the healthy sperm from the malformed, non-living sperm and detritus. This step maximizes the chances of successful fertilization.
5. After the injection is performed, the egg is monitored for signs of fertilization.
6. Once the embryo is established, it is inserted into the uterine cavity.

ICSI is frequently recommended as a supplement to IVF to maximize the chances of pregnancy. This is especially true in cases where male infertility is recognized or suspected. Fertilization rates for ICSI are extremely high in cases of suboptimal male fertility.

Often, parents-to-be opt for ICSI when fertility challenges cannot be definitively identified or when standard IVF has failed to yield a full-term pregnancy.