Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a specialized reproductive technique designed to address male infertility by directly injecting a single sperm into an egg. This method is particularly beneficial in cases where traditional insemination methods may be ineffective, often due to issues such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility. During the ICSI procedure, a special micropipette is utilized to facilitate the precise insertion of the sperm into the egg's cytoplasm. This targeted approach significantly enhances the chances of successful fertilization and promotes healthy embryo development. ICSI has become a widely adopted technique in fertility treatments, providing hope and effective solutions for couples facing challenges related to male infertility.
About Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a widely utilised technique in the treatment of male infertility, particularly when conventional fertilisation methods may not be effective. Male infertility can arise from various factors, including low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape, reproductive tract obstructions, or hormonal imbalances. Symptoms of male infertility are often subtle, highlighting the importance of thorough diagnostic testing.
While ICSI significantly increases the likelihood of successful fertilisation, a comprehensive fertility evaluation is essential for couples to identify the underlying causes of infertility.
Procedure of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
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Ovarian Stimulation: The process begins with ovarian stimulation, where the female partner is administered hormonal medications to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. This step is crucial for enhancing the chances of successful fertilization and subsequent embryonic development.
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Egg Retrieval: Following ovarian stimulation, a minor surgical procedure is performed to retrieve the mature eggs. A thin, ultrasound-guided needle is used to extract the eggs from the ovaries. This minimally invasive procedure is typically conducted under general anesthesia to ensure the patient’s comfort.
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Sperm Collection: Concurrently, the male partner provides a sperm sample. In cases of severe male infertility, where obtaining viable sperm through ejaculation is challenging, sperm may be directly extracted from the testes using techniques such as testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or epididymal sperm aspiration (TESA).
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Sperm Preparation: Once collected, the sperm is processed in the laboratory to isolate the healthiest and most motile sperm for fertilization. This step ensures that only the most viable sperm are used in the injection process.
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Microscopic Injection: The hallmark of the ICSI procedure involves the direct injection of a single sperm into the mature egg using a specialized micropipette. This precise method enables controlled fertilisation, particularly in cases where traditional methods may have failed.
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Embryo Culture: After fertilisation, the developing embryos are cultured in a controlled environment for several days. During this time, the embryology team monitors key factors, including cell division and embryo morphology, to select the most viable embryos for transfer.
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Embryo Transfer: In the final step, the selected embryos are transferred into the uterus. This procedure usually occurs several days after egg retrieval, and the number of embryos transferred is carefully considered to optimise the chances of successful implantation while minimising the risk of multiple pregnancies.